Marquette vs. Providence: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

Marquette and Providence are a couple of teams squared right in the middle of the Big East power structure. Which team can create some separation on Wednesday night?

TV schedule: Wednesday, Jan. 3, 6:30 p.m. ET. CBSSN

Arena: Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island

The first edition of Busting Brackets’s Bracketology has arrived with the projected field of 68 teams coming out. Out of the 10 Big East teams involved, five received bids: Villanova, Butler, Seton Hall, Creighton, and Xavier.

St. John’s was one of the first four out, while Georgetown and DePaul are having their own battle for basement supremacy in the league. That leaves two teams left who both really need a good win.

Providence 10-5 (1-1) split the team’s two road games to open the season, winning at St. John’s before losing to a ranked Creighton. The Friars have been marred by injuries throughout the non-conference but is slowly getting back to 100%. Senior Rodney Bullock is the star of the team, averaging 16.9 ppg and 6.7 rpg. He leads a balanced roster of scorers, with nine guys averaging at least 5 ppg.

Marquette 10-4 (1-1) is led by a duo of guards who are tops in the Big East in scoring, with Andrew Rowsey averaging 22.4 ppg, with his backcourt mate Markus Howard at 20.5 ppg. Sam Hauser is the third option for the Golden Eagles, averaging 14.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg.

Marquette also split the opening week of league games, losing to Xavier at home before turning around and beating Georgetown. With the top-ranked Villanova Wildcats up next, the Eagles could be staring a 1-3 start in their face.

In terms of the RPI, Marquette is at 66 while Providence lies at 45. Those numbers should improve for both teams just merely by playing and beating a few of the top six teams in the league. That’s what makes this game more important, as likely only one of these two will make the tournament.

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When Providence is healthy and playing up to their potential, they have the guards and the defensive tenacity to guard both Rowsey and Howard. If both or even one of them struggles, it’s hard for the Eagles to win. With this game being in Providence, and the matchup advantage, look for the Friars to get the win.

Prediction: Providence 82 – Marquette 75

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