Bodog Beat

Sean Miller's Musketeers take on the Saint Louis Billikens tonight. (AP Images)

The Xavier Musketeers gun for their 17th straight home win in conference play tonight when they begin their quest for a third consecutive Atlantic 10 regular-season title against the Saint Louis Billikens in the teams' conference opener.

Xavier won its first nine games for its longest undefeated start since it opened a school-record 10-0 in 1996-97, but the Musketeers then suffered consecutive losses to Duke and Butler.

On Saturday the Musketeers scored 19 straight points during the first half and finished with a season-high point total while holding Virginia to 37.5 percent shooting.

The Billikens, who finished 7-9 in conference play last season, could again pose a threat to the Musketeers as they've won seven of eight following a 2-4 start.

Xavier has won its last two games against Saint Louis to improve to 23-12 in the series. The home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings between these schools.

Bet on the Musketeers-Billikens game tonight and get the best college basketball odds at the Bodog Sportsbook.