The Providence Friars and Xavier Musketeers meet up in a Big East Conference battle at Cintas Center in Cincinnati.
The Friars have picked up three consecutive wins and covers since an 83-75 setback at Marquette on January 18, while the Under has cashed in three in a row, too.
The Musketeers have been spinning their wheels lately, winning just twice in the past four games, while going 1-3 ATS during the span.
This is the first of two regular-season meetings, with the teams scheduled to meet in Rhode Island on March 1.
Can the Friars stay hot on the road, or will the Musketeers get untracked at home? We’ll discuss in our college basketball picks and predictions for Providence vs. Xavier on Wednesday, February 1.
Providence vs Xavier best odds
Providence vs Xavier picks and predictions
The Friars have been tremendous offensively, going for 78.4 ppg to rank No. 39 in the nation. While Providence is a good shooting team — hitting 47.2% from the field — it has struggled from behind the arc at just 33.9%.
It closed out the month of January on a roll, winning three in a row, while also going 3-0 ATS. The Friars have roared back into the Top 20 in the rankings, and they’re in good shape as far as postseason aspirations. However, another Quad 1 win at Xavier would really enhance their resume.
The Musketeers are also in the Top 20 of the rankings, but Xavier is in danger of sliding a little bit. It has won just twice in the past four games overall, while going just 1-3 ATS.
However, Xavier’s issues have been mostly on the road, as the Musketeers have won eight in a row at the Cintas Center, while going 5-3 ATS. The Over is 5-2-1 during that eight-game stretch, too.
The Friars enter this game as the hotter team, and it should not only be able to cover the number, but an outright win for Providence wouldn’t be shocking, either.
My best bet: Providence +4 (-110 at BetRivers)
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Providence vs Xavier spread analysis
The Friars have ended up covering 12 of the past 14 games overall while going 6-1 ATS in the past seven games on the road.
In addition, Providence has cashed in six of the past eight games against teams with a winning record. The Friars are stacking covers, going 9-2 ATS in the past 11 games following a cover while going 19-7 ATS in the past 26 after a straight-up win.
Providence hasn't been an underdog since catching 7.5 points from Marquette on January 18, the team’s most recent loss. However, prior to that, it had covered five in a row as an underdog, while winning four of those games outright.
The Musketeers have also risen to the occasion against good teams, going 6-1 ATS in the past seven against winning teams. But, again, Providence has owned the series, going 7-3 ATS across the past 10 in the series, and the underdog is 8-3 ATS across the past 11 meetings.
Xavier has failed to cover the past two games as a favorite, including the most recent time on its home floor on January 21 against Georgetown. The Musketeers are also just 3-3 ATS in the past six on their home floor, too.
Providence vs Xavier Over/Under analysis
The Friars have been tremendously consistent on offense, although they can be a little bit of a pain in the backside for Over bettors when it comes to the free-throw line — shooting just 73.9% from the charity stripe.
Defensively, Providence is just so-so, allowing 68.2 ppg, and it has allowed teams to hit from behind the arc at a 32.2% pace, which is rather middling nationally.
The Musketeers have been amazing offensively, racking up 83.2 ppg to rank No. 8 in the nation, and they’re also tops in the Big East conference with a 50.2% field-goal percentage, and 39.8% percentage from behind the 3-point line. While it leaves a lot to be desired from the charity stripe — hitting just 72.9% — the offense makes up for the shortcomings from the free-throw line.
At the other end of the floor, Xavier has allowed 75.9 ppg, which is No. 330 in the country.
Providence vs Xavier betting trend to know
The Friars have cashed in 12 of the past 14 games overall, and the underdog has cashed in eight of the past 11 meetings in this series, which points squarely to Providence as the pick here. Find more college basketball betting trends for Providence vs. Xavier.
Providence vs Xavier game info
| Location: | Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH |
| Date: | Wednesday, February 1, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 6:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FS1 |
