It's Opening Day for college basketball and we have your Providence Friars vs. Central Connecticut Blue Devils prediction right here! Providence begins its second season behind head coach Kim English as it prepares to face Central Connecticut State. The Friars boasted a 21-14 record, including a berth in the NIT under English, but this team is missing a key piece from last year and that is Devin Carter. Carter averaged 19.7 ppg last year and was recently drafted by the Kings, and as they prepare to tip off on Monday, Kim English will have to get smart with his new squad if they want to be just as dominant like her last year.

Providence recorded four transfers and acquired seven new players in the offseason, leaving a big question mark for this young club. The one promising thing for the Friars will be the return of Bryce Hopkins, who averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game before suffering a season-ending injury in January. Central Connecticut State had a very productive season last year, finishing the season 20-11 and completing its first Northeast Conference regular season championship in 17 years. This team will have four fourth-year seniors returning, and the biggest name from that group will be Jordan Jones, who averaged 13.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last season. I think Providence has a lot more depth and talent in the lineup than Central Connecticut, which is why I'm willing to put the points down with Providence as my best bet of the day.

Central Connecticut vs. Providence Prediction: Providence -16.5 (-110) available at time of publication. Playable under this number.

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