Houston at Providence College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/20/2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Mohegan Sun Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Cougars travel to Mohegan Sun Arena to play the Providence Friars on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The opening line for this game has Houston as 3 point favorites.

Houston comes into this game with an overall record of 9-2. They currently have a point differential of 14.8 as they are averaging 82.2 points per game while giving up 67.4 per contest. Providence has an overall record of 8-3. They are averaging 75.9 points per game and surrendering 69.8, good for a point differential of 6.1.

Valuable Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 4-3 against the spread this season

The Houston Cougars are 3-4 against the over/under this year

Important Providence Friars Betting Trends

The Providence Friars are 2-7 against the spread this season

The Providence Friars are 7-2 against the over/under this year

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Providence Friars Injuries

12/19/17 G Alpha Diallo Ankle is doubtful Wednesday vs Houston U
12/19/17 G Maliek White Knee is doubtful Wednesday vs Houston U
11/15/17 F Emmitt Holt Abdominal is out for season

Player Spotlight

Devin Davis averages 12.9 points per game in 28.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 7.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 57%. Robert Gray Jr. averages 20.4 points per game while playing 30.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 85%.

Player Spotlight

Alpha Diallo averages 11.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 26 minutes per contest. He also averages 5 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is 75%. Rodney Bullock averages 14.8 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.5 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cougars allow 67.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 89th in the nation. They also allow a 40% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 56th and 95th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 30.5 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they give up 10.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the country. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 237th in college basketball. Houston averages 82.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 53rd in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 14.8 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 41st. Behind the arc they shoot 42% which is good for 10th in D-1. They average 39.1 rebounds per game and 15.8 assists per game, which ranks them 71st and 79th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 134th with 14.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Friars surrender 69.8 points per contest, which ranks them 132nd in the country. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 149th and 49th in those defensive statistics. They rank 51st with 11.0 assists allowed per contest, and 171st with 34.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Friars are 271st in the nation in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game this season. Providence is 167th in Division 1 with 75.9 points per game this year. They are 84th in the country in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 6.1. They shoot 41% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the nation. They are 196th in college basketball in rebounding with 35.8 boards per game and 191st in assists per contest with 13.8. The Friars are 122nd in turnovers per game with 14.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Cougars are 34th in the nation in offensive rating with 115.5, and their defensive rating of 94.6 is ranked 81st. In terms of pace they are 175th in the country with 71.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 57% is 33rd. As a team they are 35th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 209th in Division 1. Houston is 144th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 47%, which is 68th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Providence is 115th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 129th in Division 1. The Friars are 145th in the nation in defensive rating with 98.5, and their offensive rating of 107.1 is ranked 142nd. They are 224th in D-1 in pace with 70.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 124th. As a unit they are 123rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 320th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Houston/Providence college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Providence +3

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald