College Hoops Picks Feb. 7, 2009: Providence Friars @ West Virginia Mountaineers

Providence Friars (6-4, 14-8) at West Virginia Mountaineers (4-5, 15-7)

Saturday, Feb. 7—4:00 PM EST

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Preview

The Providence Friars (6-4, 14-8) have played fantastic basketball recently, and they have shown why they are in the top half of the Big East. They have been playing fast and scoring often, surpassing 90 points in three of their last five. They lost to Villanova 94-91, defeated Syracuse 100-94, and took down Seton Hall 98-93.

Since upsetting Georgetown on the road, the Mountaineers (4-5, 15-7) have gone 1-3, only taking down St. John's. However, this record is a product of who they've played: Pitt, Louisville, and Syracuse.

Both teams look like they are going to be on the bubble come March, so a win over a fellow bubble team can only help.

Providence's recent success has stemmed from three players—Sharaud Curry, Weyinmi Efejuku, and Jeff Xavier. Between the three of them, they average 34.0 points per game, but when the Friars have hit 90 plus, they have averaged 52.7. West Virginia's offense revolves around two players—Da'Sean Butler (F, 17.9 PPG) and Alex Ruoff (G, 15.9 PPG).

By The Numbers

	Record	Conf	ATS	RPI	SOS	PF	PA
Providence	14-8	6-4	7-9-1	64	32	80.2	75.3
West Virginia	15-7	4-5	9-9	18	8	72.1	60.6

	FG%	D. FG%	3P%	D. 3P%	FT%	RPG	SPG	APG	TPG
Providence	45.3	44.7	33.1	33.0	66.5	42.0	8.0	15.6	14.2
West Virginia	42.7	41.5	32.1	27.0	67.1	41.8	7.9	14.6	12.6

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Prediction

Current Line: West Virginia -10.5

To see Ryan's prediction, please head over to CBBPlace.com!

*All statistics for this article have come from StatSheet.com*