Georgetown vs Providence Predictions, Picks, and Odds: Carter, Friars Send Hoyas Packing

Head coach Ed Cooley will see his former team again this season when Georgetown and Providence meet in the first round of the Big East Tournament.

It's hard to figure out whether it was competition or actual play on the court, but it's challenging to suggest that this Hoyas team has improved much this season. Filtering out its efficiency ratings for the last 10 games, it sees a drop in its defensive and offensive numbers. It certainly doesn't help that it lost four games to end consecutive games to end the season, either. This was always going to be a rough season for Georgetown, but it's been a little rougher to end the year than fans expected.

As for Providence, it had a real chance to come to New York and have an opportunity to make the March Madness odds field. However, its end of the season has made that much less likely as the Friars finished things losing three of their last four.

What's the best bet in this one? Find out when we look at the conference tournament odds and give it in our free college basketball picks and predictions for Wednesday, March 13.

Georgetown vs Providence best odds

Georgetown vs Providence picks and predictions

The Georgetown Hoyas started the season with a lousy defense, and it only made the argument that it's gotten worse as the year has proceeded. It has held just one conference opponent this season under one point per possession, and to end the year, the Hoyas let half of its final six opponents eclipse the 90-point mark. 

"I'm tired of coming in here and repeating the same thing," Ed Cooley said after his team allowed 98 points to Xavier a little over a week ago.

Even more concerning? Cooley suggested the only way to improve the current team's defense was better recruiting. In other words, there's little left he can do to help this team on that side of the ball. That is a problem facing one of the best scorers in the Big East. I'm grabbing Devin Carter Over 21.5 points as my best bet.

Carter finished the season going Over this number in back-to-back games and has elevated himself in the bigger games on the Providence Friars' schedule with big scoring performances. With that in mind, there's little reason to suggest he cannot do it here. 

This season, the biggest issue for the Hoyas defense has been defending spot-up shooters. 

It's regressed in that category and now is in the Bottom 1% of college basketball in spot-up defense, allowing 1.084 points per possession on such sets. It's one of the worst defenses vs. shooters in the entire sport.

That's a problem with Carter. He's a lethal shooter. He'll come into this game shooting an eFG% of 54% on the season on spot-up sets, and he should have a lot of space to operate today. Georgetown sat at the bottom of this category in the conference, but even when faced by teams in the conference that were slightly better defending in this category, he averaged 22 points per game in the conference. There's every reason to expect the shots to fall today for Carter; if they are, he could set himself up to have a career evening.

Give me Carter to have a big-time game tonight. 

This is just a simple analysis. Georgetown has been horrific defensively this season, and the best scorers on each team have pretty much had their way against them. Why should we expect any difference today in a game beyond a must-win for the Friars?

Another feather in our caps is that Carter has done his best work away from home. He averaged more points, shot better from the field, and took more shots. If the Friars are going to advance like I expect them to, it will likely come via Carter scoring in bunches.

My best bet: Devin Carter Over 21.5 points (+100 at DraftKings)

Georgetown vs Providence same-game parlay

Devin Carter Over 21.5 points

Providence -10.5

+285 at DraftKings

Providence takes care of things here, and I'm pairing our best bet with Providence to cover.

Georgetown's defense was terrible at the start of the season, and it has seen a reduction in efficiency of 22 spots since the beginning of conference play. Even if the shots aren't following, Providence should be able to get to the rim against what is quite literally the nation's worst 2-point defense.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Georgetown vs Providence spread and Over/Under analysis

I expect Providence to cover the -10.5-point spread, but it is betting the worst of the numbers. It's moved from 9.5 to the current number, and if you're patient in-game, you can get a single-digit spread. 

I wonder if Cooley throwing his team under the bus two weeks ago was the best move for what appears to be a mentally fragile team. So much of conference tournaments is handicapping the motivation of teams, especially in the early rounds. There should be no question today about which side is more motivated, as one side is playing to postpone the inevitable, and the other could play itself into more basketball later this season with a few wins.

I have no opinion on the total. It came in line directly with my projections, and we may get to a point in this game where some bench players are on the court for the final few minutes, then you're reliant on players that don't play to determine your fate.

I have no interest in being involved in that. There needs to be more of an edge when looking at the trends of this matchup, too, as the totals have been split 50/50 over the last four games. 

Georgetown vs Providence betting trend to know

Providence have covered the spread in 19 of their last 32 games (+4.70 Units / 13% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Georgetown vs. Providence.

Georgetown vs Providence game info

Georgetown vs Providence key injuries

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic