The Providence Friars moved one step closer to the Big East regular-season title without playing on Tuesday night.
Providence picked up another advantage in the loss column over Villanova by way of UConn's win over the Wildcats.
The Friars can get even closer to the Big East regular-season crown with a home win over Xavier on Wednesday night.
Ed Cooley's team has not been dominant lately, but it keeps finding ways to win games and that is important with a short spread in its favor against Xavier.
A motivated Providence at home against a struggling Xavier side could be the perfect formula for an emphatic victory.
The Mountain West title picture also comes into play on Wednesday, with Wyoming needing a win at Colorado State to keep pace with Boise State.
Wyoming may not win on the road, but it can certainly remain within the 6.5-point spread in one of the few late games on the schedule.
Wednesday CBB Picks
Overall Record: 218-246-3 (5-0 Tuesday)
UMass at Dayton (-12) (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Dayton has covered in each of its last four games, two of which were as a favorite of 14 or more points.
The Flyers are playing great defense of late, as they held all of their last four opponents under 65 points.
Dayton's defense ranks in the top 40 in a handful of categories on KenPom. UMass ranks 340th or worse in a few defensive categories.
That is not a good sign for the Minutemen since they will need to go head-to-head with Dayton's defense to keep things close in Ohio.
Davidson (-9) at Duquense (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Duquense has not scored more than 65 points in each of its last 10 games.
Davidson reached the 70-point mark in each of its last six victories.
Davidson is the much better team than the host Dukes and it just beat them by 11 points last week.
The spread in that game was 14 points. It is lower for the rematch and Davidson could easily cover that number.
Xavier at Providence (-1.5) (7 p.m. ET, CBSSN)
Providence couldn't have asked for a better situation on Wednesday night.
UConn beat Villanova last night to create a gap at the top of the Big East standings.
Providence can further increase its advantage by beating Xavier at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
Xavier has been trending downward for the last few weeks and it should stand no chance inside an energized arena with the likely Big East regular-season champion on the other side of the court.
Stony Brook at UMass Lowell (-3.5) (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
UMass Lowell gives up nine fewer points per game than Stony Brook.
The RiverHawks have the No. 41 two-point defense, while Stony Brook ranks 343rd in that category.
Add in those numbers, the revenge factor and UMass Lowell's home-court advantage and I think you have a good recipe for a home victory and cover.
Colgate (-12.5) at Holy Cross (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Colgate defeated Holy Cross by 27 points in their first meeting.
Colgate is the class of the Patriot League and it is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games.
The Raiders average 12 more points per game and shoot five percent better compared to Holy Cross.
A regular-season sweep with two double-digit wins should be in Colgate's future.
Chattanooga (-2.5) at East Tennessee State (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Chattanooga blew out ETSU by 30 points in late December.
Since then, the Mocs have established themselves on the top of the Southern Conference
Chattanooga is the better team and it gives up eight fewer points per contest than ETSU.
The Mocs are also in need of a bounce-back victory after losing their last two contests. That plays into the game breakdown as well. They need to finish the regular season on a high note to head into the SoCon tournament with the best hopes to earn the conference's automatic bid.
Louisiana (-110) at Georgia Southern (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
I don't get this line.
Georgia Southern is on a six-game losing streak and it is the second-worst team in the Sun Belt.
Louisiana won its last two contests, both against the third-worst team in the conference, UL Monroe.
The Ragin' Cajuns are just flat out the better team and should earn a nice road win on Wednesday.
Tulsa at SMU (-10.5) (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
I've been fading Tulsa on the road for the last few weeks.
Do not take any stock in Tulsa's road win over South Florida since the Bulls are the worst team in the American.
Tulsa lost its previous five road trips in AAC play by nine or more points. SMU just beat Memphis and Houston in consecutive home games.
SMU ranks in the top 40 in two-point defense, three-point defense and defensive effective field-goal percentage and it should contain Tulsa fairly well.
Wyoming (+6.5) at Colorado State (9 p.m. ET, CBSSN)
How dare you disrespect the Wyoming Cowboys with this number.
Wyoming outlasted Colorado State in overtime in their first meeting, and while the Cowboys may not win, they should keep the game within six points.
Wyoming covered in its last three instances as an underdog and its defense should keep it in the game at the top of what has become a very exciting Mountain West.