Bill Koch won't bet against another magical run for Providence basketball

Ed Cooley's team won its eighth straight game on Wednesday. They are 41-9 in their last 50 games. The team is 21-4 in its last 25 conference meetings. Providence is the only team to escape the Wildcats in that span. The Friars are the current favorite to win the league. Their next game is against St. John's. It's a noon tip on Saturday. There are no other teams in the top 50. UConn, Creighton, the Musketeers, Marquette are new iron. Rhode Island is not taking a back seat to any of them.

St. John's Red Storm (11-5, 1-4 Big East) and Providence Friars (13-3, 5-0 Big Eights) meet on Saturday at noon.

Providence takes on St. John's (NY) Red Storm. Bryce Hopkins scored 27 points in Providence's 73-61 victory over the UConn Huskies. The Friars are 9-0 on their home court. St John’s ( NY) has gone 1-4 against Big East opponents.

Noah Locke is the top scorer for Providence basketball. Hopkins is averaging 16.4 points and 9.2 rebounds over the past 10 games. Andre Curbelo is a top player for St. John's basketball, averaging 10. 4 points, 5. 2 assists and 1.9 steals.

Friars are 9-1, their opponents are 5-5.