Creighton vs. Providence Predictions, Odds


  • January 2, 2020
  • By Thom Cunningham
  • VegasInsider.com

The Creighton Bluejays look to earn a tough road game win as they head to Rhode Island to battle Big East foe the Providence Friars. Tip for this conference game is set for noon (ET) from the Alumni Hall and will air on FOX.

BETTING RESOURCES

WHERE TO BET CREIGHTON-PROVIDENCE

Creighton-Providence Betting Odds

Line Movements

  • Spread: Creighton -3
  • Money-Line: TBD
  • Total: 146.5

Odds Subject to Change

Creighton enters this road game as a -3-point favorite, looking to avoid a .500 road record with a loss. Providence is 5-1 SU at home this season, but both schools are below .500 ATS (combined 8-11). The point total is set at 146.5, something both teams usually go OVER on.

The schools are a combined 13-6 on the O/U this season. Creighton enters on a three-game winning streak, coming off an impressive win against Xavier after beating UConn in overtime. Providence has won two straight games, and has seen three total overtimes over its last four games.

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Betting Analysis – Creighton Bluejays

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 7-2
  • ATS: 4-5
  • SU - Home: 5-1
  • SU - Away: 2-1
  • O/U: 6-3

Its hard not to like the No. 11 team in this game, as Creighton is looking impressive after a home loss to Marquette. Don't forget, this is a team that only lost to Kansas by one point inside Allen Fieldhouse - where virtually no road team wins. Creighton passed the other two road tests with a blowout victory over St. John's and a hard fought battle against UConn.

Denzel Mahoney is a huge difference maker for this team, as his defense has gotten better. Mahoney averages about 15 and five per game, but it's guard Marcus Zegarowski that leads this Bluejay club. Zegarowski is a Wooden Award candidate, contributing in scoring, rebounding and passing.

He's not alone, as Creighton has five total players average a double-digit point total. All five players are upperclassmen too, so this is an experienced, talented and complete team. Can they go into Providence and win becomes the question? Yes, but a lot will be based on two Providence players (will get to that in a minute).

Creighton can only control what they do well - which is pass the ball, score points and shoot the three. If they do those three things well, then their 45th-ranked offense that scores the 38th-most points in the nation should be fine outscoring a somewhat offensively challenged Providence team.

Betting Analysis – Providence Friars

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 7-3
  • ATS: 4-6
  • SU - Home: 5-1
  • SU - Away: 2-2
  • O/U: 7-3

As hard as it is to bet against Creighton, it's equally as difficult to bet against Ed Cooley at home. He is one of the best coaches in college basketball, making Providence a nightmare regardless who they face. This team is truly 'Jeckyll-Hyde' in terms of betting, beating Seton Hall in overtime on the road while also losing to Alabama by almost 20.

Let's start with what we know, the Friars are led by two players that make up almost all of the scoring production. David Duke and Nate Watson each average 19 points or more per game. That's insane. What's crazy is that A.J. Reeves is the next highest scorer, averaging only 8.9 points per game.

Providence's offense is ride or die with Duke and Watson, so if either is off their game then the Friars are in trouble. What works well with having two mammoth scorers is that it only takes one or two other players to perform well for Providence to win any game (evident by Seton Hall win).

If Providence can get a steady scoring performance from Reeves or any other player, barring a Duke or Watson meltdown, Providence can absolutely win this game. This team plays from within the paint, so this could become a battle of Providence's post play versus the Creighton three-point range.

Providence shoots the 88th-most free throws per game in the entire country. Getting inside looks, easy buckets, free throw shots and production outside Duke and Watson is how Providence can play upset alert on Saturday.

Inside the Stats – Creighton Bluejays

  • PS/G: 82.9 (38th)
  • PA/G: 70 (164th)
  • Off Rtg: 112.3 (45th)
  • Def Rtg: 94.9 (132nd)

Inside the Stats – Providence Friars

  • PS/G: 75.7 (125th)
  • PA/G: 71.4 (201st)
  • Off Rtg: 108.3 (89th)
  • Def Rtg: 102.1 (249th)

Key Players to Watch

  • CRE - Marcus Zegarowski (13.8 PPG, 5 APG)
  • CRE - Christian Bishop (12.8 PPG, 6 RPG)
  • PROV - David Duke (19.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
  • PROV - Nate Watson (19 PPG, 6.9 APG)

Creighton-Providence Predictions

Creighton should be able to cover a -3-point spread, as it actually opened at -2. If you can get Creighton for -4 or lower then the Bluejays should be the wager. However, ignoring the point total going OVER for both clubs is tough to do.

The teams are combined 13-6 O/U this season, as 146.5 is pretty low. Both teams need to touch about 75 points for the total to go OVER, which Providence averages per game. Creighton scores almost 80, so OVER seems fine if playing the 13-6 odds and going off each school's point per game average.

  • Score Prediction: Creighton 78 Providence 74
  • Best Bets: Creighton
  • Best Bets: OVER

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