Providence – Fairfield Game Preview – Predictions & Bets

I remember standing in the O’Hare Airport in March 2020 when they announced the Big East tournament was cancelled. I knew right then and there with COVID becoming a (rightly so) focal point that any hopes of seeing a Friar tournament run in both MSG and the NCAA tournament were likely not going to happen.

Here we are, 9 very long months later. The season is finally upon us. Christmas morning for Friar fans.

With so much uncertainty in the air, let’s just enjoy each moment of this season and not look ahead, as I think all fans are preconditioned to expect this season to be abruptly cancelled at any moment. It is usually coach-speak, but fans should take this season game by game and just appreciate seeing the boys suit up and play again.

Starting Line-Up Prediction

Bynum

Duke

Reeves

Horchler

Watson

First off the bench: Greg Gantt

3 Things We’re Looking To See

1. New Faces & Their Roles – Bynum, Horchler, Goodine, Croswell, Davis, Breed

2. Cooley’s Rotation – How many guys will be getting minutes?

3. Gantt’s Development on offensive end

Bonus: Does Jimmy Nichols take a step?

Betting Lines

Fairfield +20 – Don’t feel confident at all in this pick, but with COVID and a new group of Friars finally playing together in a game, I think it may be tough sledding to win by 20+

O/U 127.5 – Take the over.

Crier Betting Corner- Looking at some of the numbers from vegasinsider.com the public tends to agree with BOC with 66% of the betting community taking the Stags. This may be an opportunity to actually fade the public and take the Friars. As for the over I’m with BOC. While 127.5 may seem like a high number for a Friar team that sometimes struggles to score vs a sub 250 KenPom team with it being the first game, look for the Friars to show out and put up some points, FU will oblige in garbage time.

Final Score Prediction – Providence 71, Fairfield 59

Miscellaneous Player Prediction – Watson puts up a double double and leads Friars in scoring