Providence vs Xavier 2/23/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Xavier Musketeers and the Providence Friars meet in college basketball action from the Dunkin Donuts Center on Wednesday night.

The Xavier Musketeers will try to rebound from back-to-back losses after a 72-61 loss to UConn in their last game. Jack Nunge leads the Musketeers in scoring with 13.4 PPG along with 7.2 RPG while Paul Scruggs has 12 PPG with 4.5 RPG and a team-high 4.2 APG to lead the Musketeers in the assist department. Colby Jones has 10.2 PPG with a team-high 7.5 RPG to lead the Musketeers on the glass and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers. Zach Freemantle and Nate Johnson each have 9.8 PPG with Freemantle logging 5.4 RPG as well for the Musketeers this season. As a team, Xavier is averaging 72.7 PPG on 44.8% shooting from the field, 32.5% from three and 71.4% from the foul line while allowing 66.2 PPG on 41.6% shooting from the field and 32% from three this season.

The Providence Friars will attempt to build on a 71-70 OT win over Butler in their last game. Nate Watson leads the Friars in scoring with 14.2 PPG along with 5.6 RPG while Al Durham has 13.4 PPG with 3.2 APG. Jared Bynum has 12.2 PPG with a team-high 4.2 APG while Noah Horchler has 10 PPG with a team-high 8.5 RPG to lead the Friars on the glass and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Providence so far this season. A.J. Reeves also has 9.3 PPG as well for the Friars this season. As a team, Providence is averaging 71.4 points per game on 44.2% shooting from the field, 34.1% from three-point range and 73.3% from the foul line while allowing 65.8 points per game on 41.3% shooting from the field and 32.1% from three this season.

Xavier is 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games overall and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games against a team with a winning record while the under is 5-2 in their last 7 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600. Providence is 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games against a team with a winning record and 23-8 ATS in their last 31 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600 while the over is 5-1 in their last 6 home games.

I can understand the case to be made for either side, as this is a cheap price for Providence, but the line looks a bit odd. With that said, I’m still leaning towards Providence here as the Musketeers are really regressing and desperation can only do so much for you in terms of motivation. I think this is just a spot where the Friars are the better team and have been really good at home, so give me Providence at home in this one.