Two of the top teams in the Big East Conference hit the floor when the #20 Marquette Golden Eagles (14-5, 6-2 Big East) take on the #22 Providence Friars (14-4, 6-1 Big East). Both teams will be looking to rebound after each suffering a conference loss over the weekend.
The tipoff for Wednesday’s conference collision is at 9 p.m. EST inside the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marquette is a six-point favorite and the over/under total is 152.5 points.
What to Know – #22 Providence Friars
Providence was one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning nine in a row, before dropping a road contest over the weekend at Creighton. It was the first conference defeat for Providence who sit a game back of the undefeated Xavier Musketeers.
The Friars offense averages 79.2 points per game, hitting 46.6 percent of their shots from the field and 34.2% from the 3-point line. On defense, Providence surrenders 68.3 points per game, holding opponents to 42.3% shooting from the floor and 31.4% from beyond the arc.
Four players averaging in double figures for the Friars, led by Bryce Hopkins, who pours in 16.2 ppg. Devin Carter is second on the team scoring 13.2 ppg, while Ed Croswell (12.7 ppg) and Noah Locke (10.2 ppg) round of the leading scorers for the Friars.
Providence is 11-7 against the spread this season with a 5-1 mark ATS on the road. The Friars are 6-1 ATS over their previous seven matchups against conference opponents.
#20 Marquette Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles dropped its second Big East game of the season to the first-place Musketeers over the weekend in a four-point, 80-76 defeat. Marquette had won its previous five contests prior to Sunday’s loss.
Offensively, Marquette is one of the top-scoring teams in the nation, scoring 82.7 ppg thanks to 50% shooting from the floor and 34.8% shooting from deep. The Golden Eagles defense limits opponents to 71.7 ppg, 44.3% shooting from the field, and 34.1% shooting from three.
The Golden Eagles also showcase four players that score in double-figures. Leading the way is Kam Jones scoring 15.8 ppg. Olivier-Maxence Prosper chips in 14.4 ppg, and the duo of Oso Ighodaro (12.0 ppg) and David Joplin (10.2 ppg) give Marquette a handful of scorers on the floor.
Marquette is 12-6-1 ATS this year and 7-4 ATS in home matchups. The Golden Eagles are 5-1 ATS over their last six games heading.
The Pick is In
It is only January, but this game has a lot on the line in the conference race. Wednesday’s contest is a big game for the hosts if they want to keep pace with Xavier in the standings and not fall three games back of the leader. Marquette will come out ready to play, and the offense will lead the Golden Eagles to a comfortable victory at home.
The Pick: #20 Marquette Golden Eagles -6
