It’s a battle of the top two teams in the Big East this coming Tuesday, with the Providence Friars hosting the Villanova Wildcats in a game you shouldn’t miss. Check out our preview below of this Villanova-Providence Big East college basketball matchup.
Jay Wright and his Wildcats just keep in winning. Villanova notched its third straight win last Saturday by downing the Seton Hall Pirates at home, 73-67. Villanova trailed by three points at the half but exploded in the second half in which the Wildcats scored 44 points to 35 by Seton Hall. Jermaine Samuels and Justin Moore came up big for Villanova, each scoring 16 points. All starters scored at least 10 points for Villanova, and that kind of balanced attack will be the Wildcats are looking to serve Providence. Villanova’s offense is arguably the best in the Big East, as supported by the fact that the Wildcats have the highest adjusted offensive efficiency in the conference, highest 2-point shooting percentage, and second-highest effective field goal percentage.
The Over is 5-4-1 in Villanova’s last 10 games overall.
It’s not just Villanova that is on a rampage. Providence is even on a longer win streak, with the Friars extending their unbeaten run to eight games with a 76-73 overtime win at home against the DePaul Blue Demons last Saturday at home. Providence was not able to cover the spread as a nine-point home faves, but they will take a win anyway they can. Jared Bynum came through for the Friars in that game, as he came off the bench and fired 25 points, while Al Durham and Nate Watson had 16 points apiece. In other words, Providence does seem to have the weapons to keep up with Villanova. The Friars are fourth in the Big East with 105.4 points per 100 possessions and third with a 49.6 effective field goal percentage. Their outside shooting has been superb in conference play, shooting 37.0 percent from deep against Big East opponents.
Providence is 5-5 against the spread in its last 10 games at home.
