Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Providence Friars Predictions, Picks, Odds

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The biggest matchup in Big East basketball this Sunday afternoon pits the No. 22 Marquette Golden Eagles on the road against the No. 17 Providence Friars. Tip-off on FS1 from Dunkin Donuts Center is set for 12:30 p.m. (ET).

SCORE PREDICTION

Providence 76, Marquette 75

BEST BETS

Over 138 (-110) at DraftKings

MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES VS. PROVIDENCE FRIARS PREDICTIONS

Marquette is making some early noise in the Big East with a SU seven-game winning streak after starting conference play 0-3. This run started with a lopsided 32-point beatdown of Providence at home in a game that closed as a PICK. The Golden Eagles are coming off Wednesday’s 10-point road win against Seton Hall as six-point underdogs.

The Friars improved to 7-1 SU in conference play with Wednesday’s tight three-point road win over Xavier as eight-point underdogs. This was their fourth win in a row after being crushed by Marquette on Jan. 4. Four of their Big East games had to be postponed due to issues with Covid.

There is bound to be some bad blood between these two teams with Providence getting blown off the court in the first meeting. Playing in the friendly confines of Dunkin Donuts Center, I am expecting a completely different result this time around. I am not thrilled with betting against a team as hot as Marquette, but I do see a chance to cash a winner betting the OVER on the total line.

MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES VS. PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING ODDS

Marquette +105
Providence -125
Marquette +1 (-110)
Providence -1 (-110)
Over 138 (-110)
Under 138 (-110)

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MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES VS. PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING RESOURCES

Matchup: Big East
Date: Sunday, January 30, 2022
Venue: Dunkin Donuts Center
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
TV-Time: FS1 - 12:30 p.m. ET

MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

SU: 15-6
ATS: 13-8
O/U: 10-10-1

Shaka Smart is in his first season as head coach. After stumbling out of the gate with a trio of losses to start conference play, his team is starting to make a name for itself on a national level. The recent upset over Villanova on Jan. 19 definitely caught everyone’s attention. Bettors who have gotten on the bandwagon have been rewarded with seven covers in a row against the spread.

It also helps to have freshman forward Justin Lewis in the starting lineup. He has been sensational this season with a team-high 16.6 points and 8.0 rebounds a game. Lewis led the way in Wednesday’s win with a career-high 33 points.

Marquette’s supporting cast is led by guard Darryl Morsell with an average of 13.4 points per game. He is shooting 43.9% from the field and 37.2% from three-point range. Guard Tyler Kolek is the team’s leader in assists with 6.4 a game.

The Golden Eagles are averaging 74.2 PPG while shooting 45.1% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range. They are pulling down an average of 35.9 rebounds a game while averaging 17.6 assists. Defensively, Marquette has allowed an average of 68.9 PPG.

PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

SU: 17-2
ATS: 12-7
O/U: 9-10

The loss to Marquette was the Friars’ only SU setback in their last 13 games. Yet, they slip to 2-3 ATS over their last five outings. The total stayed UNDER 138.5 points in Wednesday’s 65-62 victory after going OVER in their previous four games. Providence is 17-2 SU overall with a 12-7 record ATS.

Guard Jared Bynum scored the game winner against Xavier by hitting a three-point bucket with just 1.5 seconds on the clock. He is one of five players on this roster averaging at least nine points while topping the list in assists with 4.1 a game. Guard Al Durham remains the Friars’ top scorer this season with 13.8 PPG.

A close second on that list is center Nate Watson with 13.3 points while adding 5.9 rebounds a game to his stat line. Forward Noah Horchler (9.7 points) is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.4 a game. Providence is averaging 70.2 points and 36.8 rebounds a game as a team.

It is also shooting 44.4% from the field and 33.7% from three-point range. The Friars have converted on 73.4% of their shots from the free throw line. This team’s defensive efforts have resulted in a points-allowed average of 64.0.

**Marquette has covered the spread in five of its last six road games. (AP)**

INSIDE THE STATS - MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES

Record: 15-6
VI Ranking: 25
PS/G: 74.2 (117th)
PA/G: 68.9 (185th)
ORtg: 102.3 (182nd)
DRtg: 95 (86th)

INSIDE THE STATS - PROVIDENCE FRIARS

Record: 17-2
VI Ranking: 16
PS/G: 70.2 (214th)
PA/G: 64 (59th)
ORtg: 106 (117th)
DRtg: 96.7 (129th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

MARQ: Justin Lewis - F (16.6 ppg, 8 rpg)
MARQ: Darryl Morsell - G (13.4 ppg)
PROV: Aljami Durham - G (13.8 ppg)
PROV: Nate Watson - C (13.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES VS. PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING CONCLUSION

It would be hard to find a tighter Big East series than this in recent seasons. Over the past 10 meetings, everything is knotted up at 5-5 both SU and ATS. The home team has won the previous four meetings both SU and ATS. This adds a bit of lean towards Providence in what should be a much tighter matchup than the game in Marquette earlier this month.

The total went OVER 139 points in the first meeting on the strength of Marquette’s 88 points. It has now gone OVER in four of the last five games between these two teams. Both sides in this Sunday’s contest should exceed their season scoring average to take the total OVER again.

MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES VS. PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING TRENDS

Marquette has covered the spread in five of its last six road games.
Marquette has covered the spread in seven straight games.
Providence has won 17 of its last 19 games.
Providence has gone OVER the point total in four of its last five games.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson