In their final home game of the season, the No. 3 Xavier Musketeers (25-4, 13-3 Big East) host the Providence Friars (18-11, 9-7 Big East) at Cintas Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 155.5 points with Xavier set as a 10-point favorite.
Providence Friars vs. Xavier Musketeers Free Prediction
The Friars come in on a high note after topping the Georgetown Hoyas in their last contest, 74-69. Providence’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Georgetown. The Friars had a rate of 5.6 (better than their season average of 15.8), while the Hoyas posted a mark of 14.1. Kyron Cartwright was a key piece for Providence with 16 points and nine assists.
In the Musketeers’ last game, they were victorious over the Georgetown Hoyas, 89-77. The Musketeers held the Hoyas to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.2 (below their season average of 32.3). The Hoyas had a free throw rate of 0.172 (below their season average of 0.303). With 20 points and seven rebounds, Xavier’s J.P. Macura had a solid outing.
Xavier figures to have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Musketeers rank 13th in offensive efficiency, while the Friars rank 180th in defensive efficiency. Also, the Friars, who rank 59th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.277), will face a tough challenge against the Musketeers, who rank 25th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.183).
Providence is 18-11 straight up (SU), but they have a difficult time covering the spread (10-17 against the spread (ATS)). Games involving the Friars have a slight tendency to finish over the total (51.9 percent).
Meanwhile, Xavier owns records of 25-4 SU and 20-9 ATS. Vegas is known to place the total low when the Musketeers are involved, as 16 of their 27 games have finished over the projected point total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Musketeers lost 81-72, unable to cover as 6-point favorites. Kerem Kanter led both teams with 24 points and also recorded 12 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 153 points, which was just 4.5 points below the projected point total of 157.5 points. The Friars made 20 of their 22 free throws (90.9 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (12.1 vs. 17.3).
Providence Friars at Xavier Musketeers Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Xavier, ATS Winner – Providence, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Providence is 5-8 ATS on the road with 8 unders and 5 overs.
Xavier is 11-6 ATS at home with 10 overs and 6 unders.
Xavier ranks 30th in rebounds allowed per game (31.4) while Providence ranks 185th (35.7).
The Friars rank 143rd in three pointers allowed per game (21.8) while the Musketeers rank 284th (26.4).
Xavier ranks 17th in assists per game (16.9) while Providence ranks 123rd (14.1).
The Friars rank 75th in steals per game (6.9) while the Musketeers rank 167th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
Providence averages 3.9 blocks per game, which ranks 79th in the nation. Xavier ranks 137th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Providence is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Xavier is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Friars have been outscored by an average of 6.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Providence has defeated opponents by an average of 1.5 points.
During their last five games, the Musketeers have scored an average of 88.0 points per game (2.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 85.2 points per game (9.8 above their season average).
