Providence has revenge for a 75-68 home loss to Xavier on Jan. 26. Xavier shot 50 percent from the floor in that game. The Friars were getting 1 1/2 points for that matchup. Now they are getting much more and catch Xavier in a letdown spot.

Xavier is off a 17-point road upset win of Butler this past Saturday. The Musketeers have their own revenge game up next against Georgetown and then host Big East Conference leader Villanova next Wednesday in a game that may determine first place in the league. Xavier is a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Providence needs this victory for its tournament resume.

The Friars went 12-1 in nonconference. They've found things more difficult in the competitive Big East, but still have covered 75 percent of their road games this season and own straight-up road victories against Villanova, Georgetown, Creighton and Butler. The Friars were underdogs in each of those games. Going back to last season, Providence has covered 10 its past 12 away matchups. The Friars are as good a road team as any in the country.