Xavier vs. Providence Pick
Can No. 5 Xavier go on the road and handle itself against Providence when the two Big East foes meet up today at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Xavier is the slight favorite in this game, as the Musketeers are getting odds of -4 points against Providence. The over/under total for the game has been set at 155 points. Tonight’s game takes place from the Dunking Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island and will air live on FOX.
Xavier is rolling along right now, as the Musketeers are off to a 3-0 start in conference play following an 86-79 win over Butler this week. Xavier is now 15-1 overall and 12-4 against the spread. The Musketeers have covered in three of their last four. Xavier is averaging 86.5 points per game this season while giving up 71.6 per contest. Trevon Bluiett is leading the team with 19.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest while J.P. Macura is adding 13.3 points per contest.
Providence has lost its last two games, falling to Creighton and Marquette. The Friars are now 10-6 overall, 1-2 in the Big East and 3-11 against the spread. Providence is just 1-8 ATS in its last nine lined games. The Friars are putting up 76.9 points per game this season while allowing 72.7 per contest. Rodney Bullock is averaging 16.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game to lead the team while Alpha Diallo adds 11.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest.
The home team has won seven of the last eight meetings in this series, but Xavier has covered the spread in four of the last five encounters. The Musketeers are looking like a legit contender nationally right now. Not only are they winning, but they are covering consistently as well. Providence has been a mess with the spread this season. I really like Xavier with such a small line. The public betting is backing Xavier and I like the Musketeers as well.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: XAVIER -4