Marquette vs Providence Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/31/24

The Marquette Golden Eagles are visiting the Providence Friars on Tuesday, December 31st at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Marquette Golden Eagles vs Providence Friars Prediction.

Providence Friars Preview

The Providence Friars have a 7-6 record this season and are coming off a 70-72 loss to Saint John’s. The Friars are 6-7 against the spread, and 4-8-1 in over/under, while they have a 6-1 home record. 

Offensively, Providence is averaging 70.5 points per game, which ranks 297th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 65.2 points per game (45th). The Friars shoot 43.4% from the field (261st) and 33.8% from beyond the arc (183rd). The Friars shoot 68.4% from the free-throw line (270th) and are grabbing 40.1 rebounds per game (37th).

Jayden Pierre leads Providence in scoring with an average of 12.9 points and 3.1 rebounds, while Bensley Joseph adds 11.9 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Marquette Golden Eagles Preview

The Marquette Golden Eagles have an 11-2 record this season and are coming off a 72-70 win against Xavier. The Golden Eagles are 7-6 against the spread, and 6-7 in over/under while having a 2-2 road record.

Offensively, Marquette is averaging 80.7 points per game, which ranks 74th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 67.3 points per game (86th). The Golden Eagles shoot 46.8% from the field (108th) and 32.7% from beyond the arc (234th). The Golden Eagles shoot 73.9% from the free throw line (114th) and are grabbing 33.9 rebounds per game (295th).

Kameron Jones leads Marquette in scoring this season, with an average of 20.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a team-high 6.4 assists. David Joplin adds 14.6 points and a team-high 5.4 rebounds. 

Why the Providence Friars will win

• Providence has won 20 of its last 22 games at Amica Mutual Pavilion when playing with a rest advantage.
• Marquette has lost each of its last four games at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
• Providence has won the first half in four of its last five night games at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Why the Marquette Golden Eagles will win

• Marquette has won 25 of its last 27 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Providence has lost four of its last five games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
• Providence has lost the first half in 13 of its last 15 games against AP-ranked opponents.

Marquette Golden Eagles vs Providence Friars Prediction

Marquette is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against Providence, and are 3-1 against the spread. Over is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings and in their most recent meeting last season, Marquette won 79-68 at home. In this Marquette Golden Eagles vs Providence Friars Prediction, Marquette is coming as -5 road favorites. Marquette is better offensively, scoring 10.2 points more than Providence, but Providence is better defensively, allowing 2.1 points less. The Golden Eagles are winning by an average of 13.4 points this season, while the Friars are winning by 5.3 points. Both teams are playing excellent defense this season, as they both rank in the top 90 of the nation, allowing 132.5 points per game combined. Both teams are also 15-10-1 to the under this season combined, so I’m expecting a lower-scoring affair today. Take the under.