The Providence Friars are set to face the Marquette Golden Eagles in a much-anticipated college basketball matchup on January 19, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET, airing on Fox Sports 1. The betting odds favor Marquette by 1.5 points, with a moneyline of -125 and a total set at 167.5 points.
As the Friars prepare for this vital clash, they come off a hard-earned victory at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, where they edged out their opponents by a mere five points. Freshman standout Stefan Vaaks has been making waves, scoring 24 points in that game and putting up more than 20 points in his last three outings. This performance has solidified his status as a rising NBA prospect. Coach Kim English faces a pivotal challenge this season, as the Friars strive to improve upon their .500 record and overcome their past struggles that have seen them miss the NCAA Tournament in previous years.
Under Ed Cooley, the Friars were known for their defensive prowess, but English’s team has adopted a contrasting style, focusing heavily on offense this season. Led by Vaaks and fellow freshman Jamier Jones, Providence is averaging close to 89 points per game, yet they struggle on the defensive end, ranking outside the top 150 nationally in defensive efficiency.
Conversely, the Golden Eagles have experienced a rougher season, managing only one win in their first eight Big East games. The team, led by Coach Shaka Smart, has faltered significantly, losing nine of their last ten contests. Both their offense and defense have struggled, with the Golden Eagles not ranking within the top 100 for efficiency in either category. However, the backcourt duo of Nigel James Jr. and Chase Ross has shown promise, with Ross averaging 15 points per game and contributing significantly despite the team’s overall struggles.
Despite the challenges both teams face, there remains a sense of optimism for Providence. If they can tighten their defense, they have the potential to make strides in the conference as they approach the midpoint of their schedule. Marquette, on the other hand, may find it difficult to regain form as the season progresses.
As the teams gear up for this pivotal encounter, Providence’s attacking style could be the key to their success, especially with the current form of their star players. The game promises to be an exciting showdown in the Big East, with fans hopeful that the Friars can capitalize on their offensive capabilities to secure a much-needed win. Betting analysts favor the Friars with a moneyline of +105, putting them in a strong position to clinch victory.