Providence vs. Villanova Prediction
Will No. 25 Villanova avoid a letdown to open up its Big East Tournament when it takes on Providence today at Noon ET?
681 Providence vs. 682 Villanova
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Noon ET – Madison Square Garden
TV: FS1
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Villanova is favored in this game, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -6 points. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 134.5 points. The public betting currently is unavailable for this game. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Providence rolls past Butler
Eighth-seeded Providence opened its Big East Tournament yesterday with an 80-57 win over ninth-seeded Butler. The Friars have won and covered in three of their last four, but all three games have been against Butler. Providence is 18-14 on the season, 8-11 in conference games, 2-2 on a neutral floor, 15-17 against the spread and 16-15-1 with the under.
The Friars are averaging 71.7 points per game on offense this season while shooting 42.5 percent as a team. Defensively, Providence is giving up 69.3 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 43.3 percent. Alpha Diallo is leading the team with 16.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while Nate Watson is adding 11.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest.
Nova falls to Seton Hall
Villanova is coming off a 79-75 loss at Seton Hall last weekend and the Wildcats have lost and failed to cover in four of their last six coming into this tournament, where they are the top seed. Nova is now 22-9 on the season, 13-5 in Big East games, 4-1 on a neutral floor, 19-12 against the spread and 19-9-2 with the under.
The Wildcats are putting up 74.6 points per game on offense this season while shooting 44.4 percent as a team. Defensively, Nova is giving up just 67.1 points per game while holding opponents to 43.5 percent shooting. Phil Booth is leading the team with 18.6 points and 3.9 assists per game while Eric Paschall is adding 16.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Providence
The Friars are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games following a win and 2-5 ATS in their last seven games following a win of more than 20 points.
Villanova
Villanova has covered the spread in five straight Thursday games and in five of its last seven games following a loss.
Prediction:
Villanova has won both meetings with Providence this season, covering the spread in both meetings as well. The Wildcats aren’t playing their best at the moment, but they match up well with Providence. The Friars haven’t shown much outside of beating Butler, but Villanova is certainly not Butler. It’s also a quick turnaround for the Friars after playing yesterday evening.
College Basketball Prediction: Villanova -6