BEST LINES:  Pinnacle -7½ -104 BET 365 -7½ -110 SportsInteraction -7½ -110 5DIMES -7½ -110

Posted at 10:45 AM EST.

12:00 PM EST. This is really a play based on the number and on the activity we have witnessed while closely monitoring the lines this morning. It’s not easy to like the Golden Eagles here, as Xavier was a #1 seed last year in the tournament and virtually has the same team. The Musketeers also have tons of pedigree and market credibility for being a factor or tournament mainstay for years and thus, our first inclination this morning, was to grab the points. However, we noticed that Pinnacle had Marquette at -8 -115 very early this morning (6:00 AM EST) while the rest of the books had them at regular vig (-110). When the other books moved to -115, Pinnacle moved to -120 and even had the Golden Eagles at -8 -124 at one point this morning. That’s a strong indication of some very smart money on the Golden Eagles or the sharpest book taking a position. What seals the deal for us is that the juice has been dropping ever since, as it gets closer to game time.

We could tell you all about the Musketeers and the Golden Eagles but we’ll save that for another time because for this one, it’s just fodder that matters not. We’re playing the line and in that regard, Xavier taking back this many points looks too good.

Open an account today at and take advantage of their -104 style pricing on sides and totals, which is 60% better than other sportsbooks.