---

The Xavier Musketeers will stay at home in Cincinnati, Ohio to host the Auburn Tigers in the Cintas Center. Below is the Xavier vs. Auburn prediction and game preview.

---

Xavier vs. Auburn Game Preview

Game Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Dec. 19
Game Time: 12 p.m. ET
Venue: Cintas Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Network: None
Xavier vs. Auburn Online Live Stream: Xavier Radio Live Stream

Why You Need To Care

It’s really nice to be undefeated. But even No. 10 Xavier knows all good things come to an end. It’s just hoping to keep its winning streak going — obviously. And it looks like a good opportunity for the Musketeers to make it 11 straight wins to start the season, as they play their fourth straight home game.

Its last time out, Xavier took care of its biggest rival, the Cincinnati Bearcats, in the Crosstown Shootout, 65-55. That broke a stretch of three straight games with 90-plus points for the Musketeers.

Now Auburn heads into Cincinnati with a 5-2 record. The Tigers sandwiched three wins in between their two losses to Colorado and Middle Tennessee. But Bruce Pearl’s squad got back on track with a 78-71 win against Mercer on Tuesday.

Why Xavier Will Win

Myles Davis put up 10 points in the first half against the Bearcats. He was knocking shots down from the perimeter and simply slicing up the Cincinnati defense. Davis ended up with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He’ll need to get that going again to get the Musketeers into a groove. Trevon Bluiett can be the beneficiary of that. He’s knocking down 45.5 percent of his threes and leading the team with 14.6 points per game. The drive-and-kick game might put Auburn in a hole early. Defensively, Xavier just has to communicate, close out and box out. Giving second-chance looks to Auburn would come back to bite the Musketeers.

Why Auburn Will Win

Someone has to stay with Davis — shadow him anywhere and everywhere he goes. Force him to beat you from behind the arc. If he knocks a few down, then play up on him. Either way, Bluiett is going to get his, so just put a hand in his face and play the ball off the rim. Kareem Canty needs to continue to score at the rate he has been, shooting 44.9 percent for 19.3 points per game. If he shoots well enough, he can create for others and split the defense on screens to attack the rim. Tyler Harris and Cinmeon Bowers will have to eat up anything that doesn’t fall for Canty. Offensive rebounds will bury Xavier.

What’s Going To Happen?

Auburn is going to battle — on the boards and on defense. Canty will hit double figures and pick up a handful of assists, but Davis will torch the Tigers. Bluiett is going to lead the game in scoring and sink a few threes to distance Xavier from Auburn in the second half. Harris and Bowers won’t crash the offensive glass enough to make a big difference. The duo will both find buckets in the post, but the Musketeers will get them into foul trouble by attacking the rim.

Xavier vs. Auburn Prediction

Robert Judin: Xavier 82, Auburn 71

Jordan Cornette: Xavier 80, Auburn 73

Line: Xavier – 17.5