January 26, 201610 yr Big one tonight in the Big East as Xavier travels to the Dunk to play the Friars, fresh off Providence's win at Villanova this weekend. Providence not only has the best player in the league (Kris Dunn), but they also have the other favorite (with XU's James Farr) for the Big East's Most Improved Player (Bentil). Obviously, any time you have two Top 10 teams going at it the game will be good, and I expect this one to live up to the hype, but I can't imagine Xavier pulling this one out on the road. Dunn will get wherever he wants with the ball, you'll see a LOT of Xavier's 1-3-1 defense, and unless the Friars really struggle from the arc, I think they win this one. As an aside, I was SHOCKED this morning when I saw the line for tonight was XU -1. I would have missed that one. I like Providence to win tonight 77-71, or something in that vicinity. Unfortunately.
January 26, 201610 yr Xavier wins it 73-68. Providence has had a whirlwind last 72 hours with their game on Saturday against Nova pushed back to Sunday. Then on Sunday going to overtime to hand the Wildcats their first conference loss. I expect Providence to be a little spent and have a bit of a letdown after the energy they expended to upset the #4 team in the country. JMO, but a more perfect set of circumstances couldn't have happened leading up to this game for X.
January 26, 201610 yr Author Love your optimism and your train of thought...I certainly hope you're right.
January 26, 201610 yr Love your optimism and your train of thought...I certainly hope you're right. I won't be the least bit surprised if Providence runs them. I just think if ever the situation was right to go onto a top 10 team's home court and pull out a victory, this is it. Also think the home loss to Georgetown last week may have woke them up a bit. :idunno:
January 26, 201610 yr If X can win this game on the Friars home court, it would be HUGE for their post season seeding portfolio.
January 26, 201610 yr I would expect the Friars to bounce in this one after the emotional win at Villanova.
January 26, 201610 yr I hate picking against X because they are the only local team I root for. But with Providence riding high after the Nova win, I like Providence 81-71
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