Big East Tournament: Xavier vs. UConn odds, picks and predictions
The Xavier Musketeers (16-16) battle the No. 2 UConn Huskies (28-3) in the quarterfinal of the Big East Tournament. Tip from Madison Square Garden is set for noon ET (FS1). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Xavier vs. UConnodds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
UConn is No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. It is coming off a 74-60 road win over the Providence Friars Saturday, covering as a 9-point favorite. The Huskies are 20-11 against the spread (ATS), having covered 4 games in a row and in 5 of their last 6 games. They are led by G Tristen Newton, who averaged 15 points per game during the regular season.
Xavier, which finished the regular season 9-11 in conference play, lost by 43 to UConn on the road and by 6 at home. The No. 9 seed has lost 2 of its last 3 games and 5 of its last 8, but it did beat the Butler Bulldogs 76-72 Wednesday, covering as a 2-point favorite. G Desmond Claude scored 26 in the victory. The Musketeers are 15-15 ATS on the season.
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Xavier vs. UConn odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:53 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Xavier +980 (bet $100 to win $980) | UConn -2000 (bet $2,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Xavier +15.5 (-110) | UConn -15.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 150.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Xavier vs. UConn picks and predictions
Prediction
UConn 83, Xavier 65
Moneyline
PASS.
The Huskies are the far superior side, but they aren't worth any play at -2000.
Against the spread
BET UCONN -15.5 (-110).
The Huskies have covered 7 of their last 8 games and have covered their last 4 as a double-figure favorite. UConn has allowed 61 or fewer points in 3 of its last 4 games. It has one of the best defenses and offenses in the nation which should be able to limit Xavier while also extending its lead.
The Musketeers beat the Bulldogs, but they have covered in just 2 of their last 10 games. Xavier has failed to cover in 3 of its last 4 as a double-figure underdog. Considering those trends, take UCONN -15.5 (-110).
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 150.5 (-110).
Xavier has gone Under in 7 of its last 10 games, and it scored just 56 points in its lone road matchup with UConn this season. The Musketeers' top 2 scoring options both shot under 44% from the field during the regular season, so the consistency isn't necessarily there.
UConn has gone Under in 2 straight and in 4 of its last 6 games. It has the 12th-ranked Kenpom defensive rating. Expect a low-scoring battle and take UNDER 150.5 (-110).
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