In a marquee matchup for second place in the Big East, the #19 Xavier Musketeers (21-8, 13-5 Big East) will look for a sweep of the #20 Providence Friars (21-8, 13-5 Big East) by doing something no other team has this season, winning in Providence. The first battle between these schools required overtime to decide a winner.
Things have been a bit rough for Xavier lately, as they’ve dropped three of their last five. The losses, particularly the one to Marquette, ended the Musketeers’ chances of finishing first in the Big East. Regardless, they’re one of college basketball’s most dangerous teams and poised to make noise this March.
The Friars also have their ticket to the Big Dance en route, but first, they’ll look to complete a perfect season at home. Providence is 15-0 at home this season, including a few wins over ranked opponents. Winning this one would also provide payback for the narrow loss in Cincinnati a month ago.
If you’re searching for high-level college basketball tonight, this is a game you should bookmark. Let’s see if this game between Xavier and Providence will be as tight as the first one was.
Xavier vs. Providence Betting Odds
| Teams | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| Xavier | +4.0 (-110) | Over 154.5 (-105) | +140 |
| Providence | -4.0 (-110) | Under 154.5 (-115) | -165 |
Xavier vs. Providence Match Details
Fixture: Xavier Musketeers @ Providence Friars
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 6:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Amica Mutual Pavilion
Xavier vs. Providence Key Stats
What makes these teams so evenly matched is that they both have elite offenses.
Nationally, Xavier is fourth in shooting percentage at 49.7%, sixth in three-point percentage at 39.6%, and 12th in scoring by putting up 81.9 points per contest. Providence isn’t far behind, scoring 78.8 per game despite playing at a slower tempo. They shoot 46.4% from the floor and 35.7% from three. They also excel at free throws, attempting 22.1 per game and knocking down 74.8% of them.
Surprisingly, both offenses struggled a bit in the first game. Providence only hit 43.5% of their shots that night, although they shot well from the charity stripe and from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Xavier shot 46.4 from the floor, but only 34.8% from three and 56.5% from the free-throw line. Still, the game finished with both teams scoring over 80 points.
On defense, Xavier struggles to defend the three, allowing opponents to hit 36.1% of them. Overall, opposing teams shoot 44.1% against the Musketeers and put up 74.3 points per game.
Providence is holding foes to 70.1 points per contest on 43.1% shooting. They’re better at defending the three-point line, holding enemy teams to 32.2% from deep.
Xavier vs. Providence Betting Prediction
This game should be high-scoring like the first one was. That game finished with 152 points at the end of the second half despite neither offense performing as well as usual. While both defenses are solid, the offenses in this matchup are much more dangerous. Xavier also plays at an extremely high tempo, which should push the pace as it did in the first game. I anticipate both schools hitting 80 again in another tight contest. Take the over.
