Providence vs. Xavier Prediction: Is Xavier Beatable at Home?

Providence vs. Xavier Prediction: Is Xavier Beatable at Home?

The Xavier Musketeers will welcome a very good Providence team to Cincinnati, Ohio for a ranked Big East matchup. Xavier is currently 4-3 in conference play and will now look for their fifth win of the season against the Providence Friars. But despite Xavier being a heavy favorite in tonight's matchup, Providence is currently 6-1 in conference play with one wild loss to Marquette. Is Providence being disrespected by oddsmakers? Here are our picks and predictions for the Big East matchup between the Providence Friars and the Xavier Musketeers.

Providence vs. Xavier Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

Date: Wednesday, January 26

Game Time: 6:30 pm ET

Where to Watch: CBSSN

Click Here for Providence vs. Xavier Odds

Providence vs. Xavier Injury Report

Providence

Questionable: F A.J. Reeves G (Finger)

Xavier

Questionable: F Cesare Edwards (Ankle)

Providence Friars vs. Xavier Musketeers Betting Line Movement

Providence vs. Xavier Prediction

The Providence Friars are a quality offense that does one thing well. And that's getting to the line. The Friars are one of the top teams in the nation at getting to the line. However, Xavier is one of the best teams at limiting teams at the line. So if Providence doesn't get to the line, things could get a bit tricky. The Friars are still shooting a 50.5 percent effective field goal percentage while only turning the ball over 17.8 percent of the time. On the glass, Providenceearns 30 percent offensive rebounds, but with Xavier only allowing teams to average 23.7 percent offensive rebounds, it looks like Providence has a serious challenge on its hands offensively. Xavier is holding teams to an effective field goal percentage of 46.2 percent and continues to defend well from three and from inside the arc. Providence, on the other hand, is shooting 33.5 percent from three and 50.6 percent from inside the arc. When Xavier has the ball, they've also been looking to get to the line at a high rate. But Providence doesn't really foul at a high rate either. So it's hard to know if we'll see a ton of fouls in this game or a very limited amount of fouls in this game. Xavier should be able to win the turnover battle, knowing Providence isn't very aggressive on the defensive end. However, Providence has held opponents to a 32.3 percent three-point shooting percentage and 44.8 percent from inside the arc. That defense is good enough to stick around against any team in the Big East, even on the road. Essentially, both of these teams have pretty comparable numbers. Xavier is a fast offense while Providence likes to slow it down. But other than that, everything kind of adds up between these two teams. So I'll go ahead and take the Providence Friars with the 8.5 points.

Providence Friars vs. Xavier Musketeers Pick

• Providence +8.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)