Butler vs. Providence College Basketball prediction, preview
The Friars are just 9-13 on the season, and their typical home court advantage that we’ve grown accustomed to in past seasons hasn’t exactly been there this time around. Providence is just 7-4 at home, going 6-5 ATS in those games. That said, the Bulldogs have not proven they can win true road games this season, at just 1-5. They have been doing a better job of covering spreads in those road trips, though, at 3-3 ATS. Historically, playing in the Ocean State has not been kind to Butler, dropping their last five trips to Providence.
This is the second matchup in Big East play between these two teams, with the first meeting giving us a pretty epic game. The Friars actually led the game at halftime, but Butler wound up winning by three points in overtime. However, Jason Edwards was a massive piece of the Friars’ success in that game, knocking down six triples, en route to 32 points.
Edwards last played on January 10th and has been sidelined with a foot injury. Edwards also helped PC get what appeared to be a signature win on the season, defeating Saint John’s as a double-digit underdog. But that wound up not being the turning point of the season, with Providence going 1-7 since then, and losing both times it has been a favorite.
That said, the Friars have played well at times during the losing streak too. Prior to getting blown out at Villanova over the weekend, five of the other six losses have been by six points or less, and that includes two games against UConn. In a strong revenge spot at home, this feels like the perfect spot for PC to get back in the win column.
In seasons past, this would be a spot I’d jump on the Friars right away. But given the lack of home court advantage and Edwards still out of the lineup, I haven’t ultimately gotten there. Strong lean to PC at home, but no bet thus far.
