Xavier at Providence NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/16/2019

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Dunkin' Donuts Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Xavier Musketeers travel to Dunkin' Donuts Center to play the Providence Friars on Saturday, February 16, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Providence as 6.5 point favorites.

Xavier comes into this game with an overall record of 12-13. They currently have a point differential of -0.1 as they are averaging 72.0 points per game while giving up 72.1 per contest. Providence has an overall mark of 14-11. They are averaging 71.6 points per contest and giving up 69.5, which is a point differential of 2.2.

Valuable Xavier Musketeers Betting Trends

The Xavier Musketeers are 8-16-1 against the spread

The Xavier Musketeers are 10-15-0 against the over/under

Important Providence Friars Betting Trends

The Providence Friars are 11-14-0 against the spread

The Providence Friars are 11-14-0 against the over/under

Key Xavier Musketeers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Providence Friars Injuries

01/20/19 F Emmitt Holt Abdominal is out for season

Player Spotlight

Naji Marshall comes into this contest averaging 13.8 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Paul Scruggs averages 12.6 points per game in 32.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.3 assists per contest and 5.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

Alpha Diallo averages 16.8 points per game while playing 35.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.3 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Nate Watson averages 11.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 22.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 0.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 58% and his free throw percentage is 63%.

Useful Team Statistics

Xavier averages 72.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 205th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is -0.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 89th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 259th in the nation. They average 35.9 rebounds per game and 14.6 assists per game, which ranks them 152nd and 93rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 150th with 13.4 per game. The Musketeers allow 72.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 197th in the country. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 201st and 299th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.6 rebounds a game which ranks 67th and they give up 14.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 297th place in Division 1. They force 11.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 44th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Providence is 220th in the country with 71.6 points per game this year. They are 288th in Division 1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 2.2. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 241st in the nation. They are 87th in the NCAA in rebounding with 37.2 boards per game, and 77th in assists per contest with 14.8. The Friars are 199th in turnovers per game with 13.0. The Friars surrender 69.5 points per contest, which ranks them 130th in D-1. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 140th and 163rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 109th with 12.2 assists allowed per contest and 207th with 35.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Friars are 265th in country in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Musketeers are 132nd in the nation in offensive rating with 105.9. In terms of pace they are 289th in the country with 67.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 133rd. As a team they are 126th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 209th in Division 1. Xavier is 108th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Providence is 231st in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions. The Friars have an offensive rating of 102.3, which is ranked 213th. They are 216th in D-1 in pace with 69 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 309th. As a unit they are 299th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 286th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Providence -6.5

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