Marquette vs. Providence Best Bet: Should You Fade Tyler Kolek, Golden Eagles?
Two Big East rivals face off tonight when Marquette takes on Providence. Should you fade Tyler Kolek and the Golden Eagles? Krabs answers.
Krabs - December 19, 2023, 3:42 PM EST
5 iminMarquette vs. Providence Best Bet: Should You Fade Tyler Kolek, Golden Eagles?
With final exams for the fall semester wrapping up, we finally have a solid slate of college basketball games today. The best game of the night takes place up in Rhode Island between two Big East rivals, Marquette versus Providence. Which 9-2 team will hit 10 wins first, and more importantly, which team will cover?
Marquette vs. Providence Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: December 19, 2023
- Game Time: 8:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: FS1
Marquette vs. Providence Prediction
With or without Ed Cooley, Providence wins at home. They are notoriously one of the best home teams in the country, and this season it has been no different. The Friars are 8-0 at home this season, and Kim English will be looking to keep his record perfect at home in his first season at Providence.
Marquette is considered to be one of the best teams in the country, but they’ve also struggled a bit offensively in their two road games. The Golden Eagles are averaging over 80 points per game, but only scored 71 and 75 in their two road games this year. Tonight, in front of one of the most formidable home crowds in the country, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Tyler Kolek and this offense struggle a bit against this stout Providence defense.
The Friars have the ninth-ranked defense in the country (in defense efficiency). Speaking of Tyler Kolek, he will be making his return home to Rhode Island for the second game of his career at Providence. He struggled there his sophomore season, and even his stats last season against the Friars were inflated due to his 8-8 shooting from the free-throw line. All the pressure will be on Kolek to bounce back after one of his worst gams of the season last week in his home state of Rhode Island: that’s a player I want to be fading tonight.
Kolek will be facing his old teammate, Josh Oduro, who he played with at George Mason a few years back. Oduro, the senior big-man, has been one of the most consistent pieces for this Friars team. He’s shooting nearly 63% from the field this season. The Friars will also have the best player on the court tonight in Bryce Hopkins, who continues to get better in his junior season.
This is a brutal spot for Marquette who’s coming off a couple big wins against Notre Dame and St. Thomas, two struggling teams. Providence is going to turn the pressure up tonight with one of the best home-court advantages in the country. Fade the Golden Eagles and back Providence to keep this game close.
Marquette vs. Providence Pick
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