Providence Friars (22-3) vs Xavier Musketeers (17-9)
Game Info: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 7:00 pm (Dunkin' Donuts Center)
Betting Odds: Providence Friars -1.5 -- Over/Under: 138.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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Xavier faces Providence on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 at the Dunkin Donuts Center for a college basketball Big East matchup.
Xavier is coming off a 72-61 loss to UCONN in its last game on the road on February 19th. Xavier has now lost two straight games as well as four of its last five overall. You never want to limp into March but the Musketeers are struggling on both sides of the ball as of late, pushing their record to 17-9 and 7-8 in Big East. It was not long ago when Xavier was ranked and considered one of the top teams in the Big East, but a win here can certainly erase at least some of the damage the team has taken in the past few weeks. Xavier's leading scorer so far this season has been F Jack Nunge, who has scored 13.4 points per game for the Musketeers. Xavier as a team has scored 72.7 points per game and has shot the ball at a 44.8% clip from the field. Xavier has also allowed 66.2 points per game to its opponents.
Providence is coming off a 71-70 win over Butler in its last game on the road on February 20th. Providence needed OT to take down the Bulldogs in that one as the Friars failed to cover the spread on the road as the small favorite. Providence is still ranked #11 in the nation and owns a very impressive 22-3 record with a 12-2 conference record as well, good for first place in the Big East. Providence's leading scorer so far this season has been C Nate Watson, who has scored 14.2 points per game for the Friars. Providence as a team has scored 71.4 points per game and has shot the ball at a 65.8% clip from the field. Providence has also allowed 65.8 points per game to its opponents.
Providence is a 1.5-point favorite and the total is set at 138.5. This is an extremely important game for Xavier as the Musketeers could certainly use a big-time road conference win against a Quad 1 team as even though Xavier is not on the bubble as of now, it will help with seeding immensely. I think Xavier has the talent to hang with Providence and I think this game goes back and forth. It is never easy beating the Friars at the Dunkin Donuts Center, and Xavier is not getting enough points for me to take a shot with the dog in this spot. I will take Providence in what could be a game decided by a bucket or two.
Ron’s Pick Providence -1.5
AUTHOR: Ron Romanelli
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