It will be a battle between Big East opponents when the Providence Friars (13-6, 4-2 Big East) welcome the Creighton Bluejays (15-4, 5-2 Big East) to Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, 2018.
Creighton Bluejays at Providence Friars ATS Prediction
In the Bluejays’ last contest, they topped the No. 19 Seton Hall Pirates, 80-63. The Bluejays held the Pirates to an effective field goal percentage of 0.444 (below their season average of 0.537). The Pirates also had a turnover percentage of 20.0 (above their season average of 16.3). Creighton received a boost from Ronnie Harrell Jr., who put up 18 points and five rebounds.
The Friars beat the Butler Bulldogs in their last matchup, 70-60. Providence’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Butler. The Friars had a rate of 0.250 (below their season average of 0.285), while the Bulldogs posted a mark of 0.159 (below their season average of 0.196). Kyron Cartwright led Providence in scoring with 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
Providence does a solid job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank 49th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.283), but Creighton is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents off the line (ranking 21st by allowing a FTA rate of 0.175).
Alpha Diallo has averaged 13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals over the last five games for Providence.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Marcus Foster recorded 18 points and the Bluejays beat the Friars 83-64. The Bluejays knocked down 19 of their 23 free throws (82.6 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.552 vs. 0.411).
Creighton Bluejays at Providence Friars ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Providence, ATS Winner – Providence, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Creighton ranks 18th in three pointers attempted per game (27.9) while Providence ranks 236th (18.5).
The Bluejays rank 39th in rebounds per game (39.1) while the Friars rank 165th in rebounds allowed per game (36.0).
Creighton ranks fourth in assists per game (19.5) while Providence ranks 88th (14.8).
The Friars rank 59th in steals per game (7.3) while the Bluejays rank 117th in steals allowed per game (6.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Bluejays’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.4, down from 15.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Friars have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (1.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.8 points per game (3.3 above their season average).
