The Providence Friars (5-2) and the TCU Horned Frogs (5-1) meet Wednesday at Ed and Mae Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (Big 12 Network/ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Providence vs. TCU odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Friars have bounced back from a pair of neutral-floor losses against Miami and Saint Louis by posting wins over Merrimack (71-57 last Wednesday) and Columbia (78-64 Saturday). While Providence has a solid overall record, its best win so far might be over Rider, and that’s not terribly impressive.
The Horned Frogs were very successful on a neutral floor, picking up victories over Cal (59-48 Friday) and Iowa (79-66 Saturday). TCU started off slow, winning on a tip-in at the buzzer against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in its opener on Nov. 7, and it also fell against Northwestern State on Nov. 14. However, it has ticked off 3 straight wins and appears to finally be rounding into form. The Frogs are 2-1 ATS in the previous 3 outings.
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Providence at TCU odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Providence +6.5 (-110) | TCU -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Providence at TCU picks and predictions
Prediction
TCU 69, Providence 66
Moneyline
There was no moneyline at the time of publishing.
Against the spread
PROVIDENCE +6.5 (-110) is the surprising play here, catching more than 3 buckets.
It really has nothing to do with the play of the Friars, as they have been struggling overall, but TCU could be without 2 starters, F Emanuel Miller (back) and G Micah Peavy (knee). Miller is averaging 13.3 PPG with 5.8 RPG and 2.0 APG, and he is the team’s leader from behind the arc at 37.3%. Peavy is the team’s 3rd-leading scorer with 9.7 PPG with 3.8 RPG, 1.8 APG and 1.2 SPG.
Over/Under
UNDER 135.5 (-110) is the lean, and worth a half-unit play.
The injury concerns for the Horned Frogs and the shooting struggles of the Friars have the arrow pointing to the Under in this one.
The Under has cashed in 4 straight for Providence while going 3-1 in the past 4 games for TCU.
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