Xavier vs. Pittsburgh odds, picks, TV channel: Expert predictions for NCAA

March is a time for gut checks. And Xavier certainly got one in its game against the Kennesaw State Owls on Friday, falling behind by as many as 13 points in the second half before rallying for a 72-67 victory. Now enters a streaking underdog in Pittsburgh for a Round of 32 matchup in which the Musketeers are solid favorites.

Xavier is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country but had to survive an off-night from long range (2-for-12) against Kennesaw State. The defense, forcing misses on 13 of the Owls’ final 15 shots, and a 13-0 run spearheaded by Souley Boum (17 points) flipped the script.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, began as one of the tournament’s last four teams but has advanced this far with a nail-biter of a win over Mississippi State in the play-in round, then a rout of sixth-seeded Iowa State in the Round of 64. The Panthers’ offense hasn’t quite looked the part of its top-30 ranking, but the defense has stepped up, and they’ve come through in big moments to reach the doorstep of the program’s first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2007.

Make sure your popcorn is ready when this one tips off. It promises to be a high-octane game between two hungry, well-coached squads. The total of more than 150 points is among the highest in the second round.

What: Midwest Region, second round

Tipoff time: 12:10 p.m. ET Sunday

TV: CBS

Location: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, N.C.

Xavier vs. Pittsburgh odds

Odds are from BetMGM and update live.

Expert picks

Model projection: Xavier by 6.2, total 154

See Austin Mock’s best bets for the second round

Players to watch

Xavier

Colby Jones, junior guard, potential first round NBA Draft pick, All-Big East second team
Souley Boum, graduate guard, All-Big East first team

Pittsburgh

Jamarius Burton, graduate guard, All-ACC first team
Blake Hinson, junior forward, All-ACC second team
Nike Sibande, senior guard, ACC Sixth Man of the Year

More NCAA men’s basketball tournament coverage

(Photo of Nelly Cummings: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)