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Providence at Xavier: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Jonathan Lurensky

Dec 18, 2021; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Providence Friars guard A.J. Reeves (11) and forward Ed Croswell (5) react after defeating the Connecticut Huskies at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2021; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Providence Friars guard A.J. Reeves (11) and forward Ed Croswell (5) react after defeating the Connecticut Huskies at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Two top teams in the Big East face off when Xavier plays Providence. Xavier looks to rebound from their loss against Marquette, while Providence looks to continue its quest for a Big East regular-season title.

TV Schedule: January 26, 2022, at 6:30 on CBS Sports Network

Location: Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Xavier Musketeers go into this game with a record of 14-4. Their four losses have come against Iowa State, Villanova (Twice), and Marquette.  Their best win has come against Ohio State.

Offensively, Xavier is led by Jack Nunge. Nunge averaged 12 points per game on 52 percent shooting.  Another player that is key for the Musketeers is Paul Scruggs. Scruggs averages 11 points per game. Additionally, he averages 4 rebounds and four assists per game. Scruggs leads Xavier in assists per game.

Finally, Xavier is ranked 20th in the AP poll.  The Musketeers are in 6th place in the Big East. Their in-conference record is 4-3. Xavier is only two games back of first place in the Big East. If the Musketeers want any shot of winning the big east regular-season title, they will need to win this game. Although the team is 2 games back, there are behind 5 teams.

The Providence Friars are 16-2 on the season. Their two losses have come against Virginia and Marquette. Their best win of the season has come against Wisconsin.

The Friars are led by Nate Waston offensively. Waston averages 13 points per game on 56 percent shooting. Another player that is good offensively for Providence is Al Durham. Durham averages 13 points per game.

Finally, Providence is ranked 17th in the AP Poll. The Friars are currently tied for 1st place in the Big East. Their in-conference record is 6-1. This team has had some games canceled for covid related reasons. Three of their games have been postponed by covid this season.

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In a matchup between two very good big east teams, Xavier will prove to be the better team and beat Providence in a close match-up

Prediction: Xavier 74, Providence 70

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