Vegas Play of the Day: Xavier vs. Arizona

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Thursday, March 23, 2017 | 11:37 a.m.

We’re entering the third season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.

Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won the 2015-2016 season, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015. Bern stepped away in the middle of the 2016-2017 season with a 16-12 record and $13,317 bankroll, with Mike Grimala taking his place.

Xavier Musketeers plus-7.5 vs. Arizona Wildcats, $550 to win $500 :

This is a familiar matchup for college hoops fans, as these two teams met in the Sweet 16 just a couple years ago. Arizona won that game, but with the way Xavier is rolling right now, I expect the Muskies to make a serious upset bid.

Xavier has been playing at a different level since forward Trevon Bluiett returned from injury, so throw that No. 11 seed out the window. With Bluiett back in form, the Musketeers can roll out shooters at four positions, and despite being undersized, they will attack the boards and push a softish Arizona team to its physical limits.

Arizona will counter with quickness and athleticism on the perimeter. The Wildcats are one of the nation's best teams at closing out on shooters and defending the 3-point line (16th in opponents' 3FG% at 30.9 percent), so Xavier will have to work for every open shot.

With Bluiett at full strength, Xavier should throw a big scare into Arizona. The spread is just too big. I'll take Xavier and the 7.5 points.

Current Standings: Grimala (5-9, $8,450), Keefer (39-34-2, $8,381), Granger (13-15-1, $7,590), Brewer (26-27-1, $6,835)