>The Connecticut Huskies have a forecast 90% chance to win against The Xavier Musketeers with a spread of -12.0/12.0 and an over/under of 145.5. The Connecticut Huskies are 0 – 1 against The Xavier Musketeers in the 2021-22 Season.
— Saturday, February 19th Xavier Musketeers @ Connecticut Huskies
For the second time in eight days, the No. 24 Connecticut Huskies (18-7, 9-5) and Xavier Musketeers (17-8, 7-7) meet in Big East action. After a December postponement, Xavier beat UConn 74-68 last Friday in Cincinnati. Tipoff is set for Noon ET on Saturday at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut, airing on FOX.
Xavier’s win last week was their first over UConn in Big East play, with UConn winning last February. Saturday’s game marks Xavier’s first trip to Storrs, with the teams playing neutral site games in 2019 and 1991. Overall the series is tied 2-2, with the home team going 1-1 and both teams winning on a neutral floor.
Balanced Xavier Looking to End Losing Streak
Xavier is 13-12 ATS, and the under is 13-11-1 in their 23 games. They are 5-4 outside of Cincinnati with a 4-3 record in true road games. Xavier is 2-3 against ranked teams, with all three losses coming in conference play.
Xavier averages 73.1 ppg and allow 65,9 ppg. Their numbers are better defensively, allowing 41.3% shooting from the field and 32% shooting from deep. Offensively they shoot 45% from the floor and 33% from 3-point range.
Jack Nunge leads Xavier with 13.5 ppg and adds 7.2 rpg. Paul Scruggs is in double figures at 12.4 ppg and leads the team with 4.3 assists per game. Colby Jones leads the Musketeers with 7.6 rpg and also scores 10.2 ppg, while Nate Johnson (9.8) and Zach Freemantle (9.7) round out the top five in scoring.
In the win over UConn, Xavier shot 56.5% on their 2-pointers and won the rebounding battle by four. Nunge finished with 22 points while both Freemantle and Johnson had 12.
Xavier followed that win with a 13-point home loss to St. John’s. Nunge again scored 22 points, but the Musketeers made just 4-of-20 shots from 3-point range and were outrebounded 34-29.
Huskies Control the Paint
UConn is 11-14 ATS, and the over is 16-9 in their 25 games. They are 11-2 at home this season with two straight wins since the loss to Creighton. They have covered just once in the last seven-game, getting the number by 1.5 against Marquette on February 8
The Huskies rank 53rd nationally at 76.7 ppg, and they shoot 34.8% from deep. The defense ranks 71st in scoring at 65.2 ppg and 22nd overall, allowing 39% field goal shooting. They average 41.4 rebounds per game, top 10 in the nation.
R.J. Cole leads the Huskies at 16.2 ppg with Adama Sanogo at 15.1. Tyrese Martin is also in double figures at 14.0 ppg, while Sanogo leads the team with 8.6 rpg.
In the first game against Xavier, Cole finished with 22 points while Martin had 18 and Sanogo had 11. UConn made 8-of-24 from distance but shot just 15-for-36 (41.6%) on 2-point shots. Xavier held the Huskies to just 31 rebounds, ten below their average, and the Musketeers shots 49% from the field.
Since the loss to Xavier last Friday, UConn bounced back with wins against St. John’s and Seton Hall. Sanogo had a 20-point, 16-rebound double double against Seton Hall, while Martin had 17 points in the St. John’s win.
Betting Analysis
- Xavier Musketeers +6.5 (-110)
- Connecticut Huskies -6.5 (-110)
- Total Points: 140.5 Over -110 Under -110
Xavier has been hit or miss lately, and while they played well against the Huskies last week, they were awful in the St. John’s game. Look for UConn to make the adjustments at home and even the season series with a win on Saturday.
Betting Pick: UConn -6.5 (-110)
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