Xavier at Providence: 2/24/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
Photo by Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Providence Friars (11-11) vs Xavier Musketeers (12-4)
Game Info: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 9:00 pm (Alumni Hall)
Betting Odds: Providence Friars +1 -- Over/Under: 140.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Xavier Musketeers will travel to Alumni Hall (RI) to take on the Providence Friars this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.
The Xavier Musketeers snapped their 2-game losing streak and improved to 12-4 on the season after defeating the Butler Bulldogs, 63-51, this past Sunday. Xavier was outstanding defensively against Butler and was able to pull away in the 2nd half after taking a 55-49 lead with 1:31 left in regulation. Xavier shot 43.6% from the field and 10.5% from beyond the arc while Butler shot 29.5% from the field and 19.4% from beyond the arc. Xavier was outrebounded by Butler by a 42-39 margin, however, did win the turnover battle by a 14-11 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Musketeers was Zach Freemantle who had 17 points, 10 rebounds, & 2 blocks.
On the season, Xavier is averaging 77.0 ppg on 46.6% shooting from the field. The Musketeers are averaging 8.1 three-pointers per game on 34.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Xavier has been led by Zach Freemantle (16.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.3 apg), Paul Scruggs (13.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.8 spg), Nate Johnson (11.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.2 spg), & Colby Jones (8.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.4 spg).
Defensively, Xavier is allowing their opponents to average 69.6 ppg on 40.1% shooting from the field. The Musketeers have a rebound margin of 1.6 and a turnover margin of 0.2.
The Providence Friars had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 11-11 on the season after being defeated by UConn Huskies, 73-61, this past Tuesday. Providence struggled on the road against the tough UConn defense and could not fight back after the Huskies took a 59-41 lead with 11:19 left in the 2nd half. Providence shot 36.2% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc while UConn shot 46.8% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. Providence was outrebounded by UConn by a 42-32 margin and committed 11 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Friars was Alyn Breed who had 14 points & 3 rebounds.
On the season, Providence is averaging 70.5 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Friars are averaging 6.2 three-pointers per game on 32.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Providence has been led by David Duke (17.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.1 spg), Nate Watson (16.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), A.J. Reeves (9.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.8 apg), & Alyn Breed (6.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg).
Defensively, Providence is allowing their opponents to average 70.1 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Friars have a rebound margin of -0.1 and a turnover margin of -0.0.
The Musketeers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Wednesday games and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall. The Friars are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.
Xavier was able to pick up a much-needed win against Butler, however, this is still a team that has not played much basketball over the last month and comes into this game with just a 2-2 record on the road this season. Providence has struggled as of late, losing 4 of their last 6 games, however, the Friars are a tough team on both ends of the court and between the fact that the Friars were almost able to pull out a victory at Xavier and that the Friars are 6-3 at home, I think the play here is to take Providence and the point. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Providence Friars +1
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
