#17 Providence Friars at #21 Xavier Musketeers Basketball Pick
Our Big East basketball Providence vs Xavier prediction for Wednesday, January 26, 2022 has the Musketeers at -8.5 (-110). On the other hand, the visiting Friars are +8.5 (-110). The over/under for this Big East men’s college basketball game is 139.0 with both sides at -110.
These two basketball teams tip off at 6:30 pm ET. Xavier will host at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, OH. You can find the game on CBSSN.
Providence vs Xavier - Keys to the Game
In the Big East, the #17 Providence Friars (16-2 Overall, 6-1 Big East) are in first place. The Friars have won 11 of their last 12 games. That one loss was 56-88 to Marquette on January 4. Since then, Providence has had three games postponed and played and won three. They last played on January 23, beating the Butler Bulldogs 69-62.
After winning seven games in a row, the #21 Xavier Musketeers (14-4 Overall, 4-3 Big East) have gone 3-3. They also last played on January 23, losing to Marquette 64-75. The Musketeers are sixth in the Big East.
Friars - Stats and Players
Providence is averaging 70.4 PPG and allowing opponents 64.1 PPG. They’re shooting 44.6/33.5/73.4 percent. Other Friars’ stats include 36.9 RPG, 13.4 APG, 3.9 BPG, and 5.0 SPG.
Once again, the Friars will likely be without A.J. Reeves, their third-top scorer. Reeves has been dealing with a finger injury for about two weeks, However, Providence has adjusted to being without his 10.7 PPG. Center Nate Watson leads the Friars in scoring with 14.1 PPG. Watson, who’s shooting 56.6 percent from the field, is also grabbing 6.2 RPG.
Also in the paint, Noah Horchler tops the team with 8.3 RPG. Horchler, a 45.2 percent shooter from the field and 42.9 percent shooter from downtown, is averaging 9.9 PPG. Guards Jared Bynum and Al Durham are top playmakers, averaging 4.1 and 3.1 APG respectively. Bynum is good for 8.9 PPG and Durham 13.3.
Musketeers - Stats and Players
These two teams are very close statistically with the Musketeers holding a slight edge in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. When it comes to free throws, the Friars are better by a few percentage points. Xavier is recording 74.5 PPG (+4.1) and allowing opponents 64.3 (-0.2). The PF/PA differential favors the Musketeers by just 4.3. Xavier shooting percentages come in at 44.6/36.6/71.6 percent. Other team stats include 38.9 RPG, 14.6 APG, 4.8 BPG, and 7.5 SPG.
Forward Jack Nunge leads the team with 12.3 PPG and a 51.8 percent shooter percentage. He’s also good for 7.1 RPG and 1.4 BPG. Guards Colby Jones, Nate Johnson, and Paul Scruggs are each averaging just over 11 PPG. Jones, a 48.5 percent field-goal shooter, is averaging 8.0 RPG and 1.4 SPG, while Scruggs is dishing off 4.7 APG and making 1.6 SPG. Johnson is completing 41.7 percent of his threes.
Final Word NCAAM- Providence vs Xavier Prediction
Our Providence vs Xavier prediction notes that the PF/PA differential is minimal and that the Friars have in six of their last 10 games and four of their last seven. The Musketeers have covered in just one of their last seven matchups. In their last four contests, Xavier has not covered the spread. We’re going with Providence at +8.5 (-110). We project that the Friars will score 73 points and the Musketeers 69. As a result, we like the over at 139.0 (-110).
Be sure to bookmark Sports Betting Smarts, please visit our sportsbook reviews of some of the best betting sites on the internet. To become a smarter NCAAM bettor, take a look at our college basketball betting guide.
Summary - Providence Friars vs Xavier Musketeers Pick - Jan 26 2022
Spread Pick - Providence Friars +8.5 (-110)
Over/Under - Over 139.0 (-110)
