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The Providence Friars will try to extend one of the most successful seasons in program history when they face the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Thursday in a Midwest Region first round game of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The Friars (25-5) have won 25 games in a season for the first time since the Billy Donovan-led 1986-87 team went 25-9 and reached the Final Four. The school record for wins is 28, set by the 1973-74 team. On Thursday Providence will meet a South Dakota State (28-4) team that is 0-5 in the NCAA Tournament all-time. 

Tipoff is set for 12:40 p.m. ET. The Friars are favored by 2.5 points in the latest Providence vs. South Dakota State odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 148. Before making any South Dakota State vs. Providence picks, be sure to check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of almost $1,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Providence vs. South Dakota State and revealed its coveted picks and predictions for the NCAA Tournament 2022. You can head to SportsLine to see all of the model's college basketball picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for South Dakota State vs. Providence:

  • Providence vs. South Dakota State spread: Providence -2.5
  • Providence vs. South Dakota State over-under: 148 points
  • Providence vs. South Dakota State money line: Friars -150, Jackrabbits +130
  • PROV: Nate Watson leads the team in scoring (13.8 points per game) and field-goal percentage (55.8).
  • SDST: The Jackrabbits lead the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (44.9).

Why Providence can cover

Jared Bynum is in the midst of a breakout season. The 5-foot-10 junior from Largo, Md., led the team in scoring in Big East games, averaging 15.6 points a game. He shot a team-best 46.5 percent (33-of-71) from behind the 3-point arc in conference play. He also ranked third in the league in assists per game (4.9) in Big East action. For his efforts this season, he was named to the all-Big East second team.

In addition, Providence faces a South Dakota State team that has struggled on defense this season. The Jackrabbits are allowing 73.4 points per game, which ranks 281st in the country. They also rank 223rd in defensive efficiency (105.3 points per 100 possessions).

Why South Dakota State can cover

South Dakota State is the best 3-point shooting team in the country. The Jackrabbits lead the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (44.9) and make 9.4 3-pointers per game. Baylor Scheierman leads the team and ranks second in the Summit League with 80 threes this season.

In addition, Douglas Wilson is on a roll. In the Summit League Tournament, the 6-foot-7 senior from Des Moines, Iowa, averaged 21.3 points -- while shooting 55.8 percent from the field -- and 8.7 rebounds a game. For his efforts he was named the Summit League Tournament MVP.

How to make South Dakota State vs. Providence picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 153 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Providence vs. South Dakota State? And which side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.