It will be a battle between Big East opponents when the No. 20 Providence Friars (18-7) welcome the Georgetown Hoyas (14-11) to Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The game begins at 12:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 13 and will air on FOX.
The Friars are hoping for a better outcome after their 96-91 loss to Marquette on Wednesday. Despite the loss, Ben Bentil earned his fifth double-double this season with 42 points and 12 rebounds. The Hoyas, meanwhile, are coming off a 92-67 win over St. John’s on Monday. Isaac Copeland played well for Georgetown, accounting for 23 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
The top-notch Georgetown defense should have a clear edge in terms of eFG%. It ranks 17th in the nation in forcing misses (opponents’ eFG% of 44.7%), while the brick-laying Providence offense is 276th with a mark of 47.6%.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Friars winning the first matchup 73-69. Bentil was a standout player in the game, producing 26 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and one three-pointer.
The Friars have gone 18-7 Straight Up (SU) and 13-11 Against The Spread (ATS). Few teams in the nation have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio than Providence, which ranks 41st at 1.35. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, the Friars have stifled opponents’ efforts from beyond the arc, allowing a three-point field goal percentage of only .306. Expect Providence to have lots of opportunities at the line against the Hoyas, who are one of the most foul-prone teams in the nation with an average of 22.8 fouls per game.
Over on the other bench, the Hoyas have records of 12-13 ATS and 14-11 SU. The Hoyas are shooting lights out from the foul line so far, with a .754 free throw percentage that ranks 16th in Division I. Georgetown’s defense is one of the top in the nation, with opponents shooting only .394 from the field. When it comes to defending the rim, the Hoyas are one of the best in the nation with an average of 4.8 blocks per game.
Providence beat Georgetown in their most recent meeting this season, but the win was not enough to overtake Georgetown in their recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 4-6 SU over the last few meetings. However, Providence leads the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Georgetown has led in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once over the last five matchups. Providence has never had the edge in all three categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – Prov, ATS Winner – Prov
Notes
“Providence is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“Providence is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games “.
“Providence is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of Providence’s last 6 games “.
“Providence is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home”.
“Providence is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home”.
“Providence is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Providence’s last 5 games at home”.
“Providence is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Georgetown”.
“Providence is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Georgetown”.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of Providence’s last 6 games when playing Georgetown”.
This season, Providence holds an even 6-6 SU record against Big East teams and Georgetown sits at 7-5 against these opponents.
Providence scores just 73.2 points per home game (ranked 184th). Georgetown ranks 100th in points allowed on the road, giving up 72.6 points.
Georgetown won its last game by a 25-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Providence is 4-0. Georgetown is also 4-0 in blowouts this season.
The Providence Friars average 70.2 possessions per game and 1.055 points per possession, while the Georgetown Hoyas earn fewer possessions (69.1) but more points per possession (1.067).
Providence averages an effective field goal percentage of 47.6%. Georgetown has not won a game this season when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage (0-7).
Providence attempts an average of 21.0 three pointers per game and Georgetown attempts 22.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Providence Friars have a solid 12-5 record while the Georgetown Hoyas have an 11-8 record.
Providence ranks 41st in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.35. Georgetown is ranked lower at 149th with an A/TO of 1.10.
Providence ranks 81st in offensive rebounding. Georgetown ranks 106th in defensive rebounding.
Providence averages a forced turnover rate of 21.7% this season. Georgetown has a 4-3 record when it suffers a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
