Xavier vs Providence 1/26/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Providence Friars (16-2) vs. Xavier Musketeers (14-4)
January 26, 2022 6:30 pm EDT
The Line: Xavier Musketeers -7 ; Over/Under: 139.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Providence Friars and the Xavier Musketeers meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Cintas Center. Providence is 16-2 so far this year. The Friars beat Butler in their last game. As for Xavier, they’re sitting at 14-4 and coming off a loss to Marquette. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Providence kicked off the year with five straight wins before an 18-point loss to Virginia on November 23. After eight more wins the Friars lost again to Marquette. Since then it’s been three straight victories over St. John’s, Georgetown and Butler.
In the Butler game on Sunday, the Friars posted 39 points in the first half and 30 more in the second during a 69-62 win. Nate Watson led the team with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Al Durham posted 12 points with three boards.
Over on the Xavier side, they went 11-1 over their first dozen games this year with a lone loss to Iowa State. Since then it’s been a 3-3 run with wins over Butler, Creighton and DePaul alongside losses to Villanova (twice) and Marquette.
In Sunday’s game versus Marquette, the Musketeers were outscored 33-29 in the first half and 42-35 in the second for a 75-64 loss. Tops in scoring was Paul Scruggs with 13 points and seven boards. Colby Jones added 12 points and six rebounds as well.
The Musketeers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 at home and 0-4 ATS in their last four overall. Xavier is 1-4 ATS in their last five after an ATS loss.
Meanwhile, the Friars are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Wednesday games. Providence is 8-1 ATS in their last nine after an ATS loss.
PICK: I’m going to stay with Providence here. The Friars posted a pretty solid effort against Butler in their last outing, shooting 50.9 percent from the field with 33 rebounds and 12 team assists. The Friars have been a pretty reliable offensive team lately (outside of the Marquette game) with 69 or more points in five of their last six outings. As for Xavier, they’ve faced some tough teams over this 3-3 run and this one won’t get any easier. I like the Musketeers to stay in control for most of the game before Providence powers out a cover.
