Xavier Musketeers vs. Providence Friars Prediction, Pick and Preview, February 23 (2/23): NCAAB

Xavier Musketeers vs. Providence Friars Prediction, Pick and Preview, February 23 (2/23): NCAAB

Credit: photo by Kris Craig-USA TODAY Sports

 
Odds
Time 7:00 p.m. EST
XAV money line +110
XAV spread +2.5
PRO money line -135
PRO spread -2.5
Over / under 139.5

 

2021-2022 season stats

 

  Xavier Providence
Record 17-9 22-3
Road / home record 4-4 14-1
Streak L1 W1
Points per game 71.4 72.7
Points allowed per game 65.8 66.2
Rebounds per game 36.8 36.9
Rebounds allowed per game    
Over / under record 11-14-1 13-12

 

 

Preview

The Xavier Musketeers will travel and take on the Providence Friars for a Big East battle this Wednesday night. Providence won last month's meeting on the road, 65-62.

 

Xavier Musketeers

The Musketeers are 2-4 this month, with both wins coming in Cincinnati.

Xavier is 14-12 this season, with a 3-10 record in the Big East play.

Chris Holtmannn team is averaging 72.7 points per game on just 44.8% shooting, while allowing 66.1 points per game. Veteran point guard Paul Scruggs (12.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 4.2apg) gets thing going on both side of the ball for the Musketeers.

 

Providence Friars

The Friars are 1-4 this month, and with a trip to Austin and a back-to-back with Kansas looming, the Horned Frogs can't drop this one at home here.

Providence is 23-4 this season, with a 12-2 record in Big East play.

Ed Cooley's team is averaging 68.1 points per game on 43.1% shooting, while allowing 63.8 points per game. Nate Watson (14.2ppg, 5.6rpg) gives the Friars an intimidating presence up front, but the pending status of Al Durham (13.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.2apg) will be huge for this one.

 

BETTING TRENDS

Xavier is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.

Musketeers are 3-3 SU in their last 6 road games.

Providence is 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games.

Friars are 4-2 SU in their last 6 home games.

 

Prediction

If Providence heads into this one without Al Durham, it could allow Xavier to zero in on Watson, and stick around in this game. If the margin was larger, I'd be a lot more in on the Musketeers, but I'm going to recommend the home team's moneyline here. The comeback win versus Butler on Sunday was clutch, and it should the Friars ability to play under fire.

Take Providence's ML for safety Wednesday night.

PICK: Providence ML (-135)

 

 

 

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