The Providence Friars take on the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha, NE. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Creighton is favored by 9 points on the spread with a moneyline of -425. The total is set at 144.5 points.
Here are my Providence vs. Creighton predictions and college basketball picks for January 14, 2025.
Providence vs Creighton Prediction
My Pick: Creighton -8.5 (Play to -9.5)
My Providence vs Creighton best bet is on the Bluejays spread, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Providence vs Creighton Odds, Lines, Pick
| Providence Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9 -110 | 144.5 -110 / -110 | +325 |
| Creighton Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9 -110 | 144.5 -110 / -110 | -425 |
- Providence vs Creighton spread: Creighton -9
- Providence vs Creighton over/under: 144.5 points
- Providence vs Creighton moneyline: Creighton -425, Providence +325
- Providence vs Creighton best bet: Creighton -8.5 (Play to -9.5)
My Providence vs Creighton College Basketball Betting Preview
Here's the good news for the Friars: They've been playing better basketball as of late. In the last three games, they played UConn tough on the road and won back-to-back affairs over Butler (by 19) and Seton Hall at home.
The Friars' offense, which has been dreadful for most of the season, is averaging 86.3 points over the last three outings. Kim English made the move to bring Bensley Joseph off the bench, and this has seemed to ignite the Miami transfer's offense (28 vs. Seton Hall, 18 vs. Butler).
The bad news is that Bryce Hopkins still isn't back in the lineup. The Friars' star forward has played just three games this season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, and Kim English said recently there are discussions of a medical redshirt.
I also don't expect the Friars to be able to continue this offensive explosion. As positive as the lineup changes have worked for English, Providence won't keep shooting this well from 3-point land (48% vs. Seton Hall, 42% vs. Butler), especially on the road in one of the tougher places to play in the Big East.
Also, Creighton does a tremendous job of limiting looks at the rim due to the presence of Ryan Kalkbrenner. The Bluejays rank 18th in the country in defensive near-proximity percentage (via Haslametrics), which means the Friars will need to either make mid-range jumpers or knock down their treys at a consistent rate.
Mid-range shots may not be enough against a team in Creighton that relies heavily on the 3-ball. Plus, after so-so shooting in the last three games, positive regression is likely coming the Bluejays' way from behind the arc.
Regardless of the shooting, the Bluejays have settled into life without the injured Pop Isaacs. Since getting blown out by Georgetown, Greg McDermott's team beat Villanova, won a defensive battle against St. John's, covered against Marquette on the road and beat Butler in Hinkle Fieldhouse.
I expect them to shoot the ball better and bring the Hopkins-less Friars back to reality.
