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College Basketball

Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars Predictions, Picks, Odds

Kevin Rogers
Kevin Rogers Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

A top-10 matchup is scheduled for Tuesday night as the Villanova Wildcats (19-6, 12-3 Big East) travel to take on the Providence Friars (21-2, 11-1 Big East). Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 P.M at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island and can be viewed on CBS Sports Network.

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Score Prediction

Villanova 74, Providence 72

Best Bets

Providence +4.5 (-110) at Caesars

Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars Predictions

The tenth ranked Villanova Wildcats defeated Seton Hall 73-67 on Saturday, and have now won three straight and 11 of their last 13. Seton Hall shot a higher percentage and out rebounded the Wildcats, yet Villanova was able to get the win thanks to forcing 14 turnovers. Defense is what this team thrives on. Four of Villanova’s six losses have come against top 25 ranked opponents. The Wildcats are second in the Big East with a 12-3 conference record, just .5 games behind Providence for the top spot.

The eighth ranked Providence Friars defeated DePaul on Saturday 76-73, in a game that went into overtime. The Friars are on a seven-game winning streak and have won 16 of their last 17 games. Providence has gone 4-0 against top-25 opponents this season, and their 11-1 Big East record is the best in program history. The Friars are atop the Big East with an 11-1 conference record.

This is the first meeting of two between Villanova and Providence, the second game is scheduled for March 1st. This should be a very good basketball game and I believe it will be close throughout. With Providence being the home team, I have to take the points in this one. Villanova may very well get the win, but I like Providence to keep it close enough to cover. Taking the Friars at +4.5.

Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars Betting Odds




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Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Big East
  • Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022
  • Venue: Dunkin Donuts Center
  • Location: Providence, Rhode Island
  • TV-Time: CBSSN - 8:00 p.m. ET

Villanova Wildcats Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 19-6
  • ATS: 13-11-1
  • O/U: 12-12-1

Villanova is above .500 ATS this season with a 13-11-1 ATS record. They have gone just 1-3-1 ATS in their last four games. The Wildcats have seen recent success against Providence, posting a 5-2 ATS record in their last seven matchups against the friars. The total has seen the over and under both hit 12 times. The total has gone under six times in the last six games the Wildcats have played on the road against Providence.

The Wildcats offense is led by senior guard Collin Gillespie who is averaging 16.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 2.9 APG. Gillespie has been a difference maker since he was a freshman, and continues to have a huge impact on the team three years later. As a team, Villanova is averaging 73.1 PPG (131st), 12.6 APG (211th), 44 FG% (180th), 35.9 3PT% (70th), and 35.2 RPG (191st). A lot of Villanova’s offense is created through their defense, so expect turnovers to turn into quick Wildcat buckets.

Defense is something head coach Jay Wright takes a lot of pride in, and this season has been no different. Entering Tuesday’s matchup the Wildcats are allowing 62.2 PPG (23rd), 40.4 FG% (45th), 31.6 3PT% (96th), while averaging 6.4 SPG (193rd), and 2.3 BPG (302nd). Villanova needs to do a better job defending the three this game, as they allowed Seton Hall to shoot 42% from beyond the arc on Saturday. Allowing Providence to shoot that well will almost certainly result in a loss.

Providence Friars Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 21-2
  • ATS: 14-9
  • O/U: 11-12

The Friars have been profitable for faithful bettors posting a 14-9 ATS record. They are 3-2 ATS in their last five games but are 1-4 ATS in their last five home matchups. The total has gone over 11 times in the Friars 23 games played. Providence has seen the total go under in six of their last nine games, as well as four of the last five matchups against Villanova.

Providence is not the highest scoring offense, but has gotten the job done alongside their tough defense. The Friars offense is averaging 70.9 PPG (182nd), 13.3 APG (160th), 44 FG% (176th), 34.6 3PT% (139th), and 37 RPG (95th). The offense has been led by senior guard Al Durham. Durham is averaging 13.4 PPG, 3 RPG, and 3.2 APG. However, this is not a one man show as Providence has seven players averaging five or more PPG.

The Friars defense has allowed 80 or more points in only two games this season. Aside from those two performances, the defense has been very consistent. This season they are allowing 64.6 PPG (59th), 40.6 FG% (51st), 31.2 3PT% (76th), alongside 5.3 SPG (296th), and 4 BPG (89th). The Friars will need to focus on slowing down Colin Gillespie and Justin Moore who are averaging a combined 31 PPG for the Wildcats.

Providence has covered the spread in seven straight games when playing as the underdog. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Villanova Wildcats

  • Record: 19-6
  • PS/G: 73.1 (134th)
  • PA/G: 62.2 (23rd)
  • ORtg: 113.3 (16th)
  • DRtg: 96.3 (101st)

Inside the Stats - Providence Friars

  • Record: 21-2
  • PS/G: 70.9 (185th)
  • PA/G: 64.6 (59th)
  • ORtg: 106 (112th)
  • DRtg: 96.6 (111th)

Key Players to Watch

  • NOVA: Collin Gillespie - G (16.2 ppg)
  • NOVA: Justin Moore - G (15.2 ppg, 5 rpg)
  • PROV: Nate Watson - C (13.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
  • PROV: Aljami Durham - G (13.4 ppg)

Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars Betting Conclusion

These teams match up very well against each other and it should be back and forth throughout. Villanova is an excellent defensive team while Providence has been one of the most efficient teams in the country. If the spread were reversed, I would probably be backing Villanova but that’s not the case. Give me the home team and the points, Providence +4.5.

Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars Betting Trends

  • Providence has covered the spread in seven straight games when playing as the underdog.
  • Providence has failed to cover the spread in three straight home games.
  • Villanova has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight games.
  • Villanova has failed to go OVER the point total in four straight games.

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Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers

Kevin has been handicapping professionally since 2007 at VegasInsider before shifting to ScoresAndOdds. He focuses on MLB, NFL, college football, NBA, college basketball, and NHL and mainly uses trends, systems, and situations as his top handicapping angles. More from Kevin Rogers
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