Big East Matchups Betting Preview: Creighton Small Favorites at Providence

The Big East matchups betting previews show a couple of clashes between two ranked teams. There are some other solid games on the NCAAB schedule, along with a couple for diehards and bettors only. The Sagarin basketball ratings have the Big East Conference ranked No. 3 in terms of overall strength. With four teams in his top 20, the Big East is again one of the top conferences in the nation.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

The Big East matchups betting preview shows No. 18 Creighton (17-8) as a 2-point favorite over No. 24 Providence (18-7) with a total of 141. The Friars get the slightest of edges in adjusted offensive efficiency but Creighton gets decent edge on defense. The Blue Jays won the first meeting 73-67, so a revenge spot for Providence. While the Friars have the edge in offensive efficiency, Creighton is a better shooting team.

The Friars rank so well due to being No. 9 in the nation in offensive rebounds. But the Blue Jays are No. 17 defensively, so Providence will earn any offensive boards it can grab. The line is right about where it should be, but Providence with revenge could very well be the correct side.

Butler (13-13) visits Villanova (12-13) and the Wildcats have revenge on their mind, losing at Butler 79-71 earlier this season. Villanova is favored by 10.5 with a total of 129.5. Both teams shot 68% or better from 2-point range in the first matchup. Butler led 40-30 at halftime, only to see the Wildcats come back and take a 58-54 lead with less than eight minutes remaining.

But a 25-13 run to end the game by the Bulldogs sealed the Butler victory. The Bulldogs are nothing special on offense, but play solid defense. Butler’s Chuck Harris is on the NCAAB injury report after missing the last three games. He’s officially listed as questionable with concussion-like symptoms.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

The Big East matchups betting preview has No. 16 Xavier (19-6) visiting No. 11 Marquette (20-6). Expect Marquette to be close to 6-point favorites with a total near 166. The first time the teams met, the NCAAB scores showed the Musketeers coming out with an 80-76 victory. Both teams stunk it up from 3-point range and Xavier used 17 offensive rebounds to its advantage.

Xavier is No. 2 in 3-point shooting, so it was a surprise to see a 5-for-18 effort from the Musketeers. The Warriors shot 61% from 2-point range, which you expect from the No. 1, 2-point shooting team in the nation. The line is a bit high but going against Marquette in a revenge game at home is tough.

Saturday. Feb. 18

The Big East matchups betting preview shows UConn about a 10.5-point favorite over Seton Hall with a total near 133. This one is going to be a huge revenge game for the Huskies. The Pirates pulled out a 67-66 victory after storming back from a 40-26 halftime deficit. The Pirates never led until the end of the game. Seton Hall used a 25-14 advantage at the foul line to its favor but we don’t see a repeat happening here.

The Pirates can match the Huskies on defense, UConn gets a huge advantage on offense. If the Huskies can hit some 3-pointers, where they score 34.7% of their points from, this one will get ugly. The line will be high but don’t expect Connecticut to let off after seeing the Pirates rally back in the first game.

Providence is going to be favored by roughly 7 points in this one and the total will be close to 140. The Friars won the first game 70-65, but this is a tough spot for Providence. The Friars are coming off Tuesday’s game with Creighton and have Connecticut on tap.

Providence is a little better offensively and defensively but this game could be all about emotion. If the Friars defeat Creighton earlier in the week, the Wildcats getting 6 or more points will be worth a good look.

The Blue Jays stay on the road for this game and will be close to 7-point favorites with a total close to 150. Creighton waxed St. John’s 104-76 earlier in the season, so the Red Storm will be looking to make amends. The Blue Jays do have a tough game with Marquette on tap, so like the game above, there is a bit of letdown potential by Creighton.

St. John’s biggest strength, offensive rebounding, also happens to be a strength of the Blue Jay defense. So this isn’t an easy match-up for the Red Storm. St. John’s best chance to keep it close will be if Creighton comes out a bit flat for the game. The Red Storm getting at least 6 points looks a little enticing.

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