Creighton Bluejays vs. Providence Friars Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Creighton Bluejays (19-8, 11-5 Big-East) will travel to take on the Providence Friars (23-3, 13-2 Big-East) Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island and can be viewed on FS1.  

SCORE PREDICTION

Providence 73, Creighton 70 

BEST BETS 

Creighton +5 

CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS vs. PROVIDENCE FRIARS PREDICTIONS

The Creighton Bluejays are coming off an 81-78 road victory against the St. John’s Red Storm this past Wednesday. The Bluejays shot 51.6% from the field, had 20 assists, and controlled the glass with 42 total rebounds.  However, they did turn the ball over 17 times compared to St. John’s six turnovers, which almost cost them the game. Creighton has now won six straight games, and are fourth in the Big-East with a conference record of 11-5.  

The 11th ranked Providence Friars defeated Xavier in triple overtime on Wednesday night, 99-92. The difference maker for the Friars was their three-point shooting, all other team stats were nearly identical. Providence shot 48.3% from beyond the arc and held Xavier to just 26.3%. The Friars have now won two straight and nine of their last 10 games. With a conference record of 13-2, Providence finds themselves atop the Big-East with a half game lead over Villanova.  

This will be the first time these two teams have met this season. Providence won the most recent matchup against Creighton in January of last year, 74-70. However, Creighton has won four of the last six matchups with the Friars. These teams' matchup very well against each other and I expect it to be yet another close game for Providence. I like Creighton and the points here. Providence has won by five points or less in three of their last four games and I think this one will follow that trend. Bluejays and the points here.  

CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS vs. PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING ODDS

• Creighton +180
• Providence -225
• Creighton +5.5 (-110)
• Providence -5.5 (-110)
• Over 137.5 (-110)
• Under 137.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS vs. PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Big East
• Date: Saturday, February 26, 2022
• Venue: Dunkin Donuts Center
• Location: Providence, Rhode Island
• TV-Time: FS1 - 8:30 p.m. ET

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CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 19-8
• ATS: 13-12-2
• O/U: 10-16-1

Creighton is one game above .500 ATS with a 13-12-2 record. They have been better on the road, posting a 7-3 ATS away record including 4-1 ATS in their last five road games. Going against this trend, the Bluejays are 1-4 ATS in their last five matchups against Providence. The total has gone under in 16 of Creighton’s 27 games this season, and has gone under in six of the last seven games when Creighton plays on the road against Providence.  
The Bluejays have been averaging 76.1 PPG during their six-game winning streak, six points above their season average.

Throughout the entire season, Creighton has been averaging 70.2 PPG (203rd), 45.7 FG% (88th), 31.4 3PT% (290th), 13.7 APG (133rd), and 38.3 RPG (36th). Ryan Hawkins has been great for the Bluejays, especially as of late, putting up 25 points or more in three of his last five games. Aside from Hawkins, the Bluejays have multiple guys who can get it done on the offensive end with four players averaging 11 or more points per game. 

 Creighton’s defense needs improvement but has been consistent for the most part. On the season, the Bluejays are allowing 66.7 PPG (109th), 39.7 FG% (22nd), 32.5 3PT% (129th), while averaging 5.5 SPG (283rd) and 4.6 BPG (43rd). Creighton will want to do a better job in this one creating turnovers. In their most recent game, the Bluejays gave the ball up 17 times while only creating six total turnovers against St. Johns. That kind of turnover difference will not bode well against the leader of the Big East. 

PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 23-3
• ATS: 15-11
• O/U: 14-12

Providence has been profitable on the season, going 15-11 ATS. In their last five games, the Friars are 3-0-2 ATS. Providence has posted a 15-1 SU home record this season, but have struggled covering with an 8-8 ATS-home record. The total has gone over in 14 of Providence’s 26 games including five of their last six. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in six of the last seven games when Providence is playing at home against the Friars.  

The Friars offense is led by junior guard Jared Bynum who put up 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in their recent win over Xavier. On the season Providence is averaging 72.5 PPG (147th), 44.4 FG% (165th), 34.8 3PT% (124th), 13.3 APG (167th), and 37.1 RPG (81st). Providence has gone to overtime in three of their last four games and are 3-0 during those games, expect the offense to be in another tight battle when they take on Creighton.  

Providence’s defense is very similar to Creighton’s on the stat sheet. Entering this matchup, they are allowing 66.8 PPG (110th), 41.3 FG% (78th), 31.9 3PT% (97th), while averaging 5.2 SPG (303rd) and 3.8 BPG (98th).  The Friars will want to slow down Ryan Hawkins who has been the Bluejays main offensive weapon as of late.  

INSIDE THE STATS - CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS

• Record: 19-8
• PS/G: 70.2 (207th)
• PA/G: 66.7 (111th)
• ORtg: 101.1 (213th)
• DRtg: 96.1 (83rd)

INSIDE THE STATS - PROVIDENCE FRIARS

• Record: 23-3
• PS/G: 72.5 (150th)
• PA/G: 66.8 (112th)
• ORtg: 107.1 (83rd)
• DRtg: 98.7 (157th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• CRE: Ryan Hawkins - F (14.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg)
• CRE: Ryan Kalkbrenner - C (12.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
• PROV: Nate Watson - C (14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
• PROV: Aljami Durham - G (13.4 ppg)

CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS vs. PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING CONCLUSION

This should be a great Big-East matchup. Both teams are playing very well and are almost identical from a statistical point of view. I like Providence to win but Crieghton to cover in this one. The Friars are 8-8 ATS at home while Creighton has gone an impressive 7-3 ATS in road games. Backing the Bluejays and the points in this one.  

CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS vs. PROVIDENCE FRIARS BETTING TRENDS

• Creighton has covered the spread in seven of its last 10 road games.
• Creighton has covered or pushed in five straight games.
• Creighton has gone OVER the point total in four of its last five games.
• Providence has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games.