Providence vs Oklahoma Odds
| Providence Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -115 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | +185 |
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -105 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | -225 |
Two teams that are off to great starts this season will face off on Tuesday when the Providence Friars take on the Oklahoma Sooners. Neither of these teams came into this season with national championship expectations, but their fans sure have a ton to be excited about thus far.
Providence enters this game with seven wins in eight contests. Ed Cooley is gone, but Kim English has his squad looking ready to compete in the Big East earlier than many expected.
Oklahoma will be a challenge for the Friars though, as the Sooners are 7-0 with impressive wins over Iowa and USC.
Providence Friars
When you watch Providence basketball, it is easy to come away impressed by the Friars' toughness. This team doesn't give opponents anything easy at the rim, a trait has helped mold the Friars into the 21st-ranked defense in college basketball.
Teams are shooting just 39% from two-point range against the Friars. Additionally, Providence holds the fifth-ranked Effective FG% defense in the country. Oklahoma has an offense capable of scoring against a great defense, but the Sooners will need to work for what they earn in this one.
Bryce Hopkins, Devin Carter and Josh Oduro form a superstar trio that combines to score 46 points per game. All three have good size for their position and wear out their individual matchups as the game goes on. Oklahoma will need to be ready to grind this one out.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners are one of the most pleasant surprises of the first month of the college basketball season. After a 15-17 year last season, Porter Moser has quickly turned things around and has Oklahoma playing great basketball.
Oklahoma can beat teams in a variety of ways. The Sooners have the 23rd-ranked defense, but their offense is no slouch either, ranking 35th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, according to KenPom. Oklahoma is great at scoring around the rim, which counters Providence's incredible ability to limit opponents from getting easy baskets.
Oklahoma doesn't make many mistakes. It shoots 78% from the free-throw line, forces more turnovers than it commits and is capable of making shots from deep. The question is whether Oklahoma will be physically ready for a 40-minute game with the Providence wings.
Providence vs. Oklahoma
Betting Pick & Prediction
Home court makes Oklahoma the favorite, but Providence has been a tough out for every team it has played this season. The Friars' physicality will travel and, as a result, I like Providence to cover.
Pick: Providence +5
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