Picks for 12/17/25
College Basketball
6:30 PM EST
Rotation # 655
Creighton +3.5 over Xavier (win)
Xavier is off to a nice 8-3 start this season, winners of their last five and 7-1 at home. FAU transfer Tre Carroll has been an incredible pickup for the Musketeers. Creighton is only 5-5 and is on a two-game losing streak. Sometimes, early-season records are skewed based on the strength of the schedule. Xavier had an easy non-conference schedule, while Creighton challenged itself against quality teams. It’s the first BIG East Conference game for every player on the Xavier roster and for new head coach Richard Pitino Jr. Creighton head coach Greg McDermott enters his 16th season with the program and has a good balance of returning talent and transfer portal acquisitions. Josh Dix has been great behind the three-point line and has shared the ball well with Nik Graves. Creighton brought in two senior ball handlers who won’t be intimidated on the road. Blake Harper is another transfer guard who plays like a forward, excelling on the glass and at drawing fouls. The Blue Jays have a lot of new faces, but were outstanding in conference play the last few years under Greg McDermott and have more overall game experience in this matchup. Look for a tight battle with the Blue Jays covering the number. Take Creighton.