@SidekicksPicks CBB Play of the Day - 2/23

Brandon is on a 4-1 run in his last five CBB plays and he's got a lot of love for Wednesday's card!

This is a huge and exciting game for myself and for Friars nation. As a Rhode Islander, anytime Providence or Rhode Island is good at basketball, it is good for the state of Rhode Island! I have been to numerous games at the Dunk and it has always been electric.

Tonight, will have a similar atmosphere as if the Friars were taking on the Rhode Island Rams. It is going to be an extremely difficult environment for the Xavier Musketeers to play in because if the Friars win tonight and win this weekend vs. Creighton, they will secure the Big East title for the first time in school history!

Xavier is 17-9 overall, 4-4 on the road. They have lost 2 straight and have lost 4 of their last 5 games. The Musketeers are currently in 6th place in the Big East with a 7-8 conference record. Xavier is a decent team on both ends of the court, averaging 72.7 ppg (143) and allowing 66.2 ppg (94).

They do not do anything exceptionally well, but they are a balanced team that plays hard on offense and defense. They are an average shooting team that shoots 44.8% from the floor (148) and shoots 32.5% from 3 (250).

Providence has been one of the best kept secrets this season. I feel like they haven’t gotten the exposure they deserve until recently. The Friars are a grind it out team with a 22-3 overall record, 14-1 at home. Providence recently came back from a 19 point deficit to beat a good Butler team at home. This Friars team will grind it out to the end, which is why they sit in the driver's seat for the Big East Championship.

They are currently in 1st place with a 12-2 conference record. These 2 teams matchup pretty well. Providence is a balanced team with their main strength on the defensive end. They allow 65.8 ppg (78) and score 71.4 ppg (167). Providence has a veteran group that helps them win these close games and tonight could be another tight one.

• Xavier is 3-9 ats in their last 12 games
• Xavier is 2-9 ats in their last 11 games vs Providence
• Providence is 15-1 straight up as the favorite
• Providence is 8-3 in their last 11 Wednesday games

Providence has too much to play for in tonight's game. They have been one of the best teams in the country and are extremely difficult to beat at home. Take into consideration that the Dunk will be rockin’ tonight!

I think Coach Cooley will have his team ready and geared up to play in this one. Xavier has been struggling and has not done well on the road. I think the experience of the Friars roster and the fact that they are at home is too much for the Musketeers to handle tonight.

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