Julian Edlow offers an insightful preview and prediction for the upcoming college basketball game on Wednesday, where Butler faces Providence.
The game will take place at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, where the Friars have shown inconsistencies this season, posting a record of 9-13 overall and 7-4 at home. Although they have generally been a strong contender at their home court in past seasons, their current performance has not lived up to expectations, with a 6-5 record against the spread at home.
On the other hand, Butler has struggled in away games, managing only one win in six attempts on the road, though they have been somewhat effective against the spread, holding a 3-3 record. Historically, Butler has faced challenges when playing in Providence, suffering defeats in their last five visits.
This matchup marks the second encounter in Big East play between the two teams. The first meeting was a thrilling overtime game, where Butler triumphed by three points after trailing at halftime. A key contributor in that game was Jason Edwards, who scored 32 points, including six three-pointers. However, he has been sidelined since January 10 due to a foot injury. Edwards played a crucial role in Providence’s standout win earlier in the season against Saint John’s, but the team has struggled since, managing only one victory in their last eight games, including two losses as favorites.
Despite their recent losing streak, there have been moments when Providence played well, with five of their six losses being by six points or less, featuring close games against UConn. This presents a potential opportunity for the Friars to bounce back in a favorable home setting.
While Edlow acknowledges the potential for Providence to regroup and reclaim their form at home, he remains cautious. The absence of Edwards and the Friars’ diminished home court advantage have led him to hold off on placing a bet, although he leans toward supporting Providence in this matchup. As the game approaches, fans of college basketball can look forward to seeing whether the Friars can capitalize on this chance to improve their season.