Rider vs Providence Odds, Spread and Picks (Nov. 8)

Providence College is a 13.5-point favorite over Rider in the opening game of the regular season at Amica Mutual Pavilion at 6:30 pm ET on FS1. The Friars won the Big East regular-season title and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 last season before losing to eventual champion Kansas. Rider was 14-19 last year, 8-12 in MAAC, but played well late and won MAACC tournament semifinals for the first time in a decade.

Rider and Providence are playing each other on November 8. Providence finished the 2021-22 season with a 20-13 ATS record. Rider finished 8-6 SU and 10-4 ATC last season.

Providence won 27 games last season and finished 14-3 in the Big East. Jared Bynum is the only starter back. The Friars lost five of their top six scorers from the 2021-22 team. Devin Carter and Noah Locke are expected to provide immediate help. Clifton Moore and Bryce Hopkins are transfer students from Kentucky. Jayden Pierre will play at point guard.

Rider was picked to finish third in the MAAC this season in a preseason poll of league coaches. Dwight Murray Jr. was an unanimous choice to the preseason MAACC first team after averaging 13.1 points last season. Mervin James and Allen Powell were named to third team.

Rider returns an experienced group that fought through adversity to finish well a year ago. Providence has many new faces and is lacking five of its top six scorers.