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Texas Basketball vs. Providence: 5 bold predictions against Friars

By Andrew Miller

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Admon Gilder #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies defends Alpha Diallo #11 of the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Admon Gilder #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies defends Alpha Diallo #11 of the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 16: Admon Gilder #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies defends Alpha Diallo #11 of the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 16: Admon Gilder #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies defends Alpha Diallo #11 of the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

The last big time matchup for Texas basketball before the start of Big 12 play and the turn of the calendar year comes on Dec. 21 against Providence.

The biggest remaining battle of the non-conference slate is here for the Texas basketball program. Outside of the Big 12/SEC Challenge matchup that Texas basketball has against the Georgia Bulldogs on Jan. 26, this is a game this team needs to have circled on the calendar among the most significant outside of the conference play.

Amid a big week of news for the Texas basketball program, a win over a quality opponent like the Providence Friars would really put an exclamation point with Big 12 play just around the corner. At this point, Providence and the UT-Arlington Mavericks are the only two opponents left for Texas basketball before Big 12 play starts on Jan. 2 against the Kansas State Wildcats on the road.

All that Texas basketball needs to do to extend its winning streak to three games is capitalize on the momentum gained from its last victory. Providence is coming off two games where it faced sub-par competition, thus Texas basketball should be able to come out of the gates faster to take an early lead.

Texas basketball is coming off a dominant and impressive showing in a 98-60 home win over the Grand Canyon Antelopes. Meanwhile, Providence is coming off a 73-43 home win over UAlbany on Dec. 18 which extended its winning streak to two games.

Texas basketball enters this game as a 9.5-point favorite over the Friars. The over/under for this matchup is set at 137.5 points and you can catch it nationally televised on ESPN2.

Here’s a look at the five bold predictions for the Texas Longhorns in taking on the Providence Friars at the Frank Erwin Events Center on Dec. 21 at 8:00 p.m. CT.

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