Connecticut Huskies (16-5) vs Xavier Musketeers (16-4)
Game Info: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 6:30 pm (Harry A. Gampel Pavilion)
Betting Odds: Connecticut Huskies -7 -- Over/Under: 153.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Xavier Musketeers will head up to Storrs and face the Connecticut Huskies in Big East play from the Gampel Pavilion on FS1. UConn and Xavier have faced off six times, with each school winning three games, and the Musketeers winning the most recent matchup on New Year's Eve, 83-73.
Xavier jumped to 16-4 after beating Georgetown in Cincinnati. The Musketeers put together their sixth 90-point performance of the season, and completed the season sweep over the Hoyas, 95-82. Xavier is scoring 84.1 points per game, while allowing 75.4 ppg, and shooting 50.1% from the field.
Xavier responded to their one-point loss to DePaul in style, and they’ll look to avoid falling from the top spot in the Big East during this two-game road trip. The Musketeers carry a diverse lineup that features five double digit scorers, led by UTEP transfer Souley Boum. The 6’3 guard went for a game-high 26 points last time out in the win over Creighton, and he leads Xavier in scoring (16.6). Colby Jones scored 20 points in the win over GT, and he’s posting a nice line of 14.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and a team-lead 5.2 apg. Jack Nunge (14.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Zach Freemantle (15.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg) give Xavier a potent, traditional size advantage, and the latter recorded a 30-point double-double against the Hoyas last time out.
UConn improved to 16-5 after beating Butler in Hartford. The Huskies overpowered the Bulldogs from the opening tip, and sent them back to Indy with a 30-point loss. UConn is scoring 79.3 points per game, while allowing 63.5 ppg and shooting 45.9% from the floor.
UConn responded to a three-game skid by pounding Butler, but they’ll bring some of that energy over to Storrs this Wednesday. The Huskies have dropped five of their last seven games after opening the season 14-0, and they’ve got to clean this up before March rolls around. Adama Sanogo leads the charge from the inside, and after posting his fourth double-double of the season, he leads UConn in scoring (17.2) and rebounding (7.1). Jordan Hawkins scored a game-high 20 points in the win over Georgetown, and he’s second on the team in scoring at 15.5 ppg. Veteran Swiss Army knife Andre Jackson Jr. flirted with a triple-double in the first matchup with Xavier, and he’s posting well-rounded averages of 6.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, and 4.6 apg.
Xavier is 11-8-1 against the spread this season, with a 14-5-1 over/under record. UConn is 13-7-1 ATS this year, with a 13-8 o/u record.
Xavier has not only been the best team in the Big East this season, they’re one of the best teams in the country, and they have a chance to come into Storrs and send another message to the country with a strong effort here. UConn has been very shaky since the start of Big East play, and they’re in a prove it spot if you ask me. Xavier has been the better squad this season, and I like spotting them the points for this Big East battle.