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How and what to watch for No. 10 Villanova vs. Providence

We break down everything you need to know for Saturday’s college basketball matchup between No. 10 Villanova and Providence. We’ve got a best bet, how to watch, and key stats for the game.

By Collin Sherwin and Eric Mallard

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Villanova Wildcats forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scores against Creighton Bluejays forward Damien Jefferson in the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 10 Villanova Wildcats will look to finish the regular season on a high note when they head to Rhode Island to take on the Providence Friars on Friday night.

Providence (12-12, 8-10 Big East) lost by 15 when these two teams faced off earlier this season. They couldn’t get anything going offensively, mustering just 56 points in the game. Their scoring unit has been much better than that usually, though. They average over 70 points per game, which still isn’t anything incredible. David Duke and Nate Watson are the two players Villanova will have to focus their energy on, they’re scoring a combined average of 34 points per game. But no matter how much those two players score, the Friars will need to tighten up on defense.

The Wildcats’ (16-4, 11-3 Big East) offense is far more high-powered than that of the Friars, scoring close to 80 points per game. But this will be their first contest since losing senior point guard Collin Gillespie with a torn MCL for the rest of the season. He’s one of the most effective players in college basketball, and how the ‘Cats perform without him will be telling to see where they’re seeded in the NCAA Tournament.

Villanova has five total players averaging in double figures and KenPom has them ranked as the fifth-most efficient offense in the nation. On the other end of the floor, they’re giving up just 67 points per contest and are allowing just 64 over their last five games.

KenPom is giving the Wildcats a 69% chance to go on the road and get a win to cap off the regular season.

Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming

You can watch Villanova vs. Providence on Saturday, March 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX. The game will be available via live stream on FOX.com/live. If you don’t have a cable login to access FOX for live stream, you can get a free trial from YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, or Sling TV to stream the game.

Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends

Point spread: Villanova -5
Point Total: 139.5
Money line: Villanova -225, Providence +180

  • The Wildcats are covering the spread recently, going 4-2 ATS in their last six
  • Villanova is 5-1 ATS in their last six games against Providence
  • The total has gone under in six of the last eight meetings between these two teams
  • The under has hit each of the last five times these two teams have faced off at Providence.

The Best Bet

It’s been smooth sailing in Big East play for Villanova this season with all but one of their conference victories coming by eight or more points. Meanwhile, Providence has lost numerous games by double-digits this season, thus making a Villanova cover the play for this one, even without Gillespie.

Pick: Villanova -5

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