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Friars vs Panthers Winning Pick

Bookmark and Share by Nick Meyer

Two Big East programs going in different directions meet in Pittsburgh tonight as the Panthers take on the Providence Friars.

The Panthers started out the season in a bit of a disappointing fashion but have persevered, using their toughness and talents in order to grind out a solid 11-5 record in a good conference

With such a strong program led by Jamie Dixon and such a quality system, the Panthers are one of those teams you can never count out in any game and a team that always seems to take care of business against inferior squads.

But it will take a big effort by the Pittsburgh Panthers to cover the college basketball spread tonight, as they are favored by a big margin against the Providence Friars.

Providence Friars (12-16 SU, 9-14-1 ATS) at Pittsburgh Panthers (22-7 SU, 15-9-2 ATS)
9 p.m. ET
College Basketball Betting Line: Pittsburgh Panthers favored at -11

With a record of just 6-4 in their last 10, the Panthers haven't been setting the world on fire from a SU college basketball betting perspective recently.

But the Providence Friars have lost 8 in a row SU and many of those Big East games haven't even been close, hence the big NCAA basketball betting spread tonight at -11.

The Friars are just 4-12 in Big East play, but they do boast a scoring lineup with three guys averaging over 14 points a game, something that's a rarity in college basketball.

The Friars average 82 points a game while Pittsburgh averages 68. But at home and with the refs likely to give them the benefit of the doubt, the Panthers should be able to make the impatient Friars play their game, which is low-scoring in most cases.

Pittsburgh gives up just 61 ppg at home and they have a 15-1 SU record there as well. That spells serious trouble for a Providence team that seems to have thrown in the towel according to their recent losing streak.

Providence is 7-4-1 ATS on the road this season, but Pittsburgh is also 9-4-1 at home ATS on the season, cancelling that number out.

In the end, expect Pittsburgh's cohesiveness and defense to suffocate the Friars as they continue to roll toward the Big East Tournament. Pittsburgh hasn't been amazing as of late but they are ready to turn it up heading into March Madness yet again as they continue to thrive as one of college basketball's most underrated programs.