Connecticut Huskies (18-7) vs Xavier Musketeers (17-8)
Game Info: Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 12:00 pm (Harry A. Gampel Pavilion)
Betting Odds: Connecticut Huskies -5.5 -- Over/Under: 140.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: FOX Stream College Basketball all season on ESPN+. Sign up now!
The Xavier Musketeers and UConn Huskies face off on Saturday in a college basketball showdown at the Gampel Pavilion. When these two teams faced off on February 11th it was Xavier that won 74-68.
Xavier was led by Jack Nunge who finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. UConn was led by RJ Cole who finished with 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Xavier comes into this game with a 17-8 record and they have gone 13-12 against the spread. Two games ago Xavier beat UConn, but in the last game against St. John’s they gave up 86 points and that led to the 13 point defeat. In this game the defense is going to need to be good, much like they were the first time they faced off with UConn. Xavier is averaging 73.1 points while their defense is giving up 65.9 points per game. Jack Nunge has been the top player for Xavier averaging 13.5 points while shooting 54 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from behind the three point line.
On the other side of this matchup is the UConn Huskies who sit with an 18-7 record and they have gone 11-14 against the spread. UConn has won two games in a row since losing that game to Xavier. In the last game against Seton Hall, UConn scored 42 points in the second half, and that was enough to come away with the victory. UConn is averaging 76.7 points while their defense is giving up 65.2 points per game. Guard R.J. Cole has been the top player for the Huskies averaging 16.2 points while shooting 40.4 percent from the field.
UConn is 1-4 against the spread in their last five games following an against the spread loss. UConn is 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games overall. The over is 4-1 in Xavier’s last five games. The under is 4-1 in Xavier’s last five games following a double digit loss at home.
Xavier won the first game between these two teams this year, but it’s going to be different with UConn at home. Xavier is going to struggle to defend against UConn’s offense, and the Musketeers are going to struggle to keep up. Back UConn against the spread.