Providence Friars vs. DePaul Blue Demons Picks, Predictions, Odds

Jan. 1, 2022
Dave Schwab
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

As part of New Year’s Day Big East basketball schedule, the No. 21 Providence Friars will tangle with the DePaul Blue Demons on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off on FOX is set for 3:00 p.m. ET from Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Score Prediction

Providence 72, DePaul 57

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Providence Friars vs. DePaul Blue Demons Predictions

The Friars will try and keep things rolling in early Big East play after beating Connecticut as road underdogs and Seton Hall as slight home favorites in their first two conference games. They are a solid 12-1 straight-up on the year with the lone loss coming against Virginia. Other upsets on the resume were against Wisconsin, Northwestern and Texas Tech as notable quality wins.

DePaul has traditionally been a bottom feeder in the Big East but the Blue Demons have shown some grit this season at 9-2 SU. The biggest surprise on their nonconference schedule was a stunning seven-point upset over Louisville as 7.5-point road underdogs. On Wednesday, DePaul played Butler tough in its Big East opener with a four-point road loss getting 2.5 points.

Give the Blue Demons credit for the encouraging start but I am riding the hottest hand in this contest. Providence may have started the season as an afterthought in the national rankings but it continues to prove that this is a legitimate Top 25 team. Lay the points and ride the Friars’ hot betting streak for at least one more game.

Providence Friars vs. DePaul Blue Demons Betting Odds

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Providence Friars vs. DePaul Blue Demons Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Big East
  • Date: Saturday, January 1, 2022
  • Venue: Wintrust Arena
  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • TV-Time: FOX - 3:00 p.m. ET

Providence Friars Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 12-1
  • ATS: 9-4
  • O/U: 5-8

Providence continues to look better and better as the season wears on. At 12-1 SU, this has also been a profitable betting team with a 9-4 record against the spread. The Friars have gone 6-1 ATS during their current seven-game SU winning streak. The total has stayed UNDER in their last five games behind solid defensive play.

With an average of just 69.8 points per game, Providence sits well down the list in scoring. However, this team boasts four different players averaging at least 11 points a game. CenterNate Watson is at the top of that list with 14.8 points a game while pulling down 5.7 rebounds a game.

Forward Noah Horchler is another key contributor with 10.5 points and a team-high 8.3 rebounds a game. Guard Al Durham is scoring 12.8 PPG but shooting just 35.8% from the field and 20.8% from three-point range. Guard AJ Reeves is the biggest threat from the outside, hitting on 29 of his team-high 80 three point attempts.

The Friars mesh well with a total team effort that is shooting 44.1% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range. They are pulling down 37.1 rebounds a game with 9.7 on offense. Providence is holding opposing teams to 61.8 PPG.

DePaul Blue Demons Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 9-2
  • ATS: 8-3
  • O/U: 7-4

DePaul missed its actual Big East opener against Seton Hall due to Covid-19 issues. There did not appear to be any lingering effects in Wednesday’s 63-59 loss to Butler. With nine SU wins in 11 games, the Blue Demons are 8-3 ATS. The total went OVER in their first six games before staying UNDER in four of their last five outings.

To pull off another big upset on Saturday, the duo of guard Javon Freeman-Liberty and forwardDavid Jones will need another strong effort. These two players have combined to score an average of 37.6 points. DePaul, as a team, is averaging 79.5 points a game.

This pair is also pulling down 16.5 of the team’s 41 rebounds a game while accounting for half of DePaul’s 12.1 assists a game. Both forward Brandon Johnson and center Nick Ongenda are averaging just over 11 PPG to round out the bulk of this team’s scoring.

The Blue Demons are shooting 47% from the field. This drops to 32% on attempts outside the three-point line. They are connecting on 68.3% of their shots from the free throw line. Defensively, DePaul has allowed an average of 67.1 PPG.


Providence has won 12 of its last 13 games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Providence Friars

  • Record: 12-1
  • VI Ranking: 20
  • PS/G: 69.8 (238th)
  • PA/G: 61.8 (51st)
  • ORtg: 105.2 (133rd)
  • DRtg: 93.2 (99th)

Inside the Stats - DePaul Blue Demons

  • Record: 9-2
  • VI Ranking: 31
  • PS/G: 79.5 (42nd)
  • PA/G: 67.1 (160th)
  • ORtg: 108.7 (72nd)
  • DRtg: 91.7 (72nd)

Key Players to Watch

  • PROV: Nate Watson - C (14.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
  • PROV: Aljami Durham - G (12.8 ppg)
  • DEP: Javon Freeman-Liberty - G (20.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg)
  • DEP: David Jones - F (17.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg)

Providence Friars vs. DePaul Blue Demons Betting Conclusion

Providence is definitely not one of the more flashier teams in the Top 25. However, the Friars have demonstrated the ability to grind out games and get the win. Against a quality opponent such as Seton Hall, they were able to build a nine-point lead at the half to gain the necessary edge.

I am looking for another fast start in this game. Providence has won seven of its last 10 games against DePaul SU with a 3-2 record ATS in the last five meetings. The Friars will also be motivated to erase the memory of last season’s loss to DePaul in the Big East Tournament.

Providence Friars vs. DePaul Blue Demons Betting Trends

  • DePaul has covered the spread in eight of its last 11 games.
  • DePaul has failed to cover the spread in two straight games.
  • Providence has covered the spread in two straight games.
  • DePaul has covered the spread in three of its last four games when playing as the underdog.