Providence at Creighton College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

CenturyLink Center Omaha

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Providence Friars travel to CenturyLink Center Omaha to play the Creighton Bluejays on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this game has Creighton as 9.5 point favorites.

Providence comes into this game with an overall record of 10-4. They currently have a point differential of 6.6 as they are averaging 76.9 points per game while giving up 70.4 per contest. Creighton has an overall mark of 10-3. They are averaging 91.7 points per contest and giving up 73.0, which is a point differential of 18.7.

Valuable Providence Friars Betting Trends

The Providence Friars are 3-9 against the spread this season

The Providence Friars are 9-3 against the over/under this year

Important Creighton Bluejays Betting Trends

The Creighton Bluejays are 7-5 against the spread this season

The Creighton Bluejays are 9-3 against the over/under this year

Key Providence Friars Injuries

12/30/17 G Maliek White Knee is "?" Sunday vs Creighton
11/15/17 F Emmitt Holt Abdominal is out for season

Key Creighton Bluejays Injuries

12/01/17 C Jacob Epperson Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Alpha Diallo averages 10.8 points per game in 25.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 5.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%. Rodney Bullock averages 17 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Player Spotlight

Khyri Thomas averages 15.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Marcus Foster averages 19.1 points per game while playing 29 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per game and has 2.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Friars allow 70.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 139th in the nation. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 156th and 29th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.6 rebounds a game which ranks 208th, and they give up 11.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 72nd place in the country. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 236th in college basketball. Providence averages 76.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 135th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 6.6 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 92nd. Behind the arc they shoot 41% which is good for 19th in D-1. They average 36.1 rebounds per game and 14.9 assists per game, which ranks them 189th and 118th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 180th with 13.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bluejays surrender 73.0 points per contest, which ranks them 206th in the country. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 103rd and 50th in those defensive statistics. They rank 211th with 13.8 assists allowed per contest, and 119th with 33.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bluejays are 43rd in the nation in forcing turnovers with 11.8 per game this season. Creighton is 5th in Division 1 with 91.7 points per game this year. They are 7th in the country in shooting at 52%, while their average scoring margin is 18.7. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 65th in the nation. They are 31st in college basketball in rebounding with 40.5 boards per game and 4th in assists per contest with 19.7. The Bluejays are 330th in turnovers per game with 11.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Friars are 115th in the nation in offensive rating with 108.5, and their defensive rating of 99.2 is ranked 155th. In terms of pace they are 207th in the country with 70.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 101st. As a team they are 117th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 286th in Division 1. Providence is 170th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 133rd in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Creighton is 337th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 47%, which is 77th in the nation. The Bluejays are 8th in the country in offensive rating with 121.1, and their defensive rating of 96.4 is ranked 98th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in Division 1 with 75.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 60% is 4th. As a team they are 8th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 62% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 68th in the nation.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Creighton -9.5

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