The Xavier Musketeers (17-9, 7-8 Big East) visit the 10th-ranked Providence Friars (22-3, 12-2) Wednesday at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (CBSSN). Below, we look at the Xavier vs. Providence odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Musketeers are in freefall, losing two in a row and four of the past five games overall. Xavier is coming off a 72-61 loss at Connecticut Saturday, and the Musketeers have dropped three of the past four games on the road.
The first-place Friars avoided a two-game losing streak with a 71-70 win at Butler in overtime Sunday. Providence posted a 65-62 win at Xavier Jan. 26 as 8.5-point underdogs as the Under connected.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Xavier at Providence odds, spread and lines
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.
- Money line: Xavier +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Providence -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Xavier +1.5 (-105) | Providence -1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Xavier at Providence odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Providence 71, Xavier 67
Money line
PROVIDENCE (-140) is a decent play despite the fact G Aljami Durham (sports hernia) is a question mark. He missed the OT win at Butler due to injury, and it’s uncertain if and when he’ll attempt to play through the injury again. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, so if Durham cannot play, a win against Xavier (+110) is a much taller order. But Providence should still be able to get it done on its home floor.
Against the spread
PROVIDENCE -1.5 (-120) is worth a look here. Xavier +1.5 (-107) lost the first meeting, and it might be playing this one without G Nate Johnson (knee), which would somewhat offset the potential absence of Durham. Johnson has not played since Feb. 11 due to his knee ailment, and the Musketeers can ill-afford to be shorthanded against the first-place Friars.
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Over/Under
The UNDER 139.5 (-110) is the slight lean here. The Over has cashed in three of the past four head-to-head battles, but both sides are likely to be missing key scorers. Go lightly, though, as there is still plenty of offense on both sides.
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