Butler vs. Providence Pick
Can Providence hold off Butler at home when the two Big East teams collide later today at 4:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Providence is the slim favorite in this game, as the Friars are getting odds of -1 point against Butler. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 147 points. Today’s game takes place from the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island and will air live on FS1.
Providence has won its last two games coming into today, besting DePaul on Friday and Xavier last week. The Friars are 12-6 overall, 3-2 in the Big East and 5-11 against the spread. Providence is 1-3 ATS in its last four. The Friars are averaging 76.8 points per game on offense this season while allowing 72.2 per game on defense. Rodney Bullock is leading the team with 16.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Alpha Diallo is adding 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest.
Butler snapped a three-game losing streak on Friday with a 94-83 win over Marquette. The Bulldogs are now 13-6 overall, 3-3 in the Big East and 9-9 against the spread. Butler is just 3-6 ATS in its last nine lined games. Butler is putting up 80.8 points per game this year while allowing 72.8 per contest. Kelan Martin is leading Butler this season with 20.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Kamar Baldwin is adding 15.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest.
Providence has won four of the last five meetings with Butler, covering the spread in all four victories. The Friars are actually 7-2 ATS in their last nine against the Bulldogs. Butler has some good wins this season, but their defense has taken a step back recently. They are allowing 87 points per game over their last five and 85 per game on the road. That will be the big issue in today’s game. The Bulldogs inability to get timely stops will allow Providence to come away with a win. The public betting is backing Butler, but I will take the Friars at home.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: PROVIDENCE -1