Xavier vs. Iowa, Picks and Prediction, Friday, November 14, 2025
Use Code SSWC We have a Big East vs. Big 10 matchup in this Xavier vs. Iowa prediction. Xavier (2-1) heads to Iowa City for a Friday night matchup at 8pmET to face the Hawkeyes (2-0). Xavier is coming off a shocking 87-68 loss to Santa Clara at home on Nov. 10 as a 3.5-point favorite. The Hawkeyes have yet to be tested. They crushed Robert Morris 101-69 in their opener on Nov. 4 and beat Western Illinois 77-58 in their last game on Nov. 7. Keep reading to find out who will win this prediction, along with the total. Take a look at some other Free College Basketball Picks at Stat Salt.
Richard Pitino takes over at Xavier
Sean Miller left for Texas after his team went 22-12 last season and 13-7 in the Big East. Former Minnesota and New Mexico coach Richard Pitino took over a team and has to rely on transfers for this team to have success. When Xavier struggled to beat Marist (66-62) and Le Moyne (74-69) as a 25-point favorite, you knew that this wouldn't be easy for Pitino with five new starters.
In Monday's loss to Santa Clara, the Musketeers were led by Roddie Anderson III, who had 29 points, while Tre Carroll added 21 points. The defense was a no-show as the Broncos shot 55% from the field and outrebounded Xavier by 12. The Musketeers are dealing with an injury as Gabriel Pozzato (6-7, 200) is out with a knee injury. He averaged 14.9 points and shot 44.7% from the field last season with Evansville. He will miss at least the first two months of the season after having surgery.
Xavier is shooting 36.9% from the field (346th) and allowing teams to shoot 52.2% from the field (353rd).
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New Era at Iowa
Long-time Iowa coach Fran McCaffery was replaced by Ben McCollum, who did some very good things at Drake. Like Pitino, he takes over a mostly brand new team led by three players who came with McCollum from Drake: senior point guard Bennett Stirtz, junior guard Kael Combs and senior F Tavion Banks. Banks (6-7, 215) had made a big impact thus far, with 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in two games. Robert Morris transfer Alvary Folgueiras (6-10, 230) adds some size. He averaged 14.1 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Colonials last season. This year, he's averaging 12 points and 4.0 assists in two games.
Stirtz is the key. He averaged 19.2 points and shot 49.8% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc last season. This year, he's averaging 21.5 points on 62% shooting from the field and 50% from beyond the arc with 3.0 steals per game and 6.5 assists.
In two games, Iowa is shooting 56.7% from the field and 42.5% from long range. However, they have not defended the three-point line well, allowing teams to shoot 41% (345th).
Spread Pick for Xavier vs. Iowa
Xavier vs. Iowa Prediction and Pick
- Iowa -16 (5 units)
I almost wrote Drake instead of Iowa because this is similar to McCollum's team in Des Moines. Having some of his own players from Drake gives him a huge boost over Pitino, who brought in eight transfers, and several were from New Mexico. However, having your point guard transfer makes a big difference. Stiritz will have to prove himself in the Big 10, but right now, he looks like he can compete at a higher level. Xavier has been terrible thus far and wasn't even competitive against Santa Clara at home. That doesn't mean it will be a long year, but it looks like it.
Total Pick for Xavier vs. Iowa
- Over 143 (4 units)
So when you look at New Mexico in 2024-25, they were 7th in the nation in Adjusted Tempo according to KenPom. Drake was more methodical and that will be Iowa's style after many years of playing fast under McCaffery. However, Iowa is very efficient, ranking 32nd in Adjusted Offensive Rating and Xavier is 103rd in Adjusted Defense.
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