Florida at Connecticut: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Florida Gators at Connecticut Huskies (-5, 110)
No. 13 Florida brings a five-game winning streak with it to No. 14 Connecticut on Monday night in a game that has a Sweet 16 kind of feel to it. Maybe that's because the only other time the two national powerhouses met was in the 1994 NCAA Tournament in the Sweet 16. The Gators earned a 69-60 overtime win in that one at Miami Arena en route to their first Final Four.
Connecticut is off to its first 7-0 start since the 2010-11 season. The Huskies have won three neutral-site games by a total of four points, including a 59-58 win over then-No. 22 Indiana in the 2K Sports Classic in Madison Square Garden. The Gators, who come in off a 67-66 victory over in-state rival Florida State on Friday, are 1-1 on the road this season, losing 59-53 at then-No. 19 Wisconsin on Nov. 12.
ABOUT FLORIDA (6-1): The Gators are led by senior forward Casey Prather who is averaging 19.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Michael Frazier II ranks second in scoring (14.4) and has connected on 22-of-41 3-pointers (53.7 percent). Dorian Finney-Smith, a 6-8 transfer from Virginia Tech, is averaging 11.8 points and 8.6 rebounds and hit the game-winning free throw with 1.3 seconds left to defeat Florida State.
ABOUT CONNECTICUT (7-0): Senior guard Shabazz Napier leads the Huskies in scoring (15.0) and rebounding (7.7). The Huskies rank12th nationally in 3-point shooting (44.7 percent) while holding opponents to just 36 percent shooting. Senior swingman Niels Giffey has connected on 15-of-22 3-pointers (68.2).
TRENDS:
* Gators are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
* Huskies are 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games.
* Under is 8-2 in Gators last 10 games following a ATS loss.
* Under is 5-0 in Huskies last five overall.
TIP-INS:
1. Connecticut has won all four of its home games by double digits.
2. Napier became the first UConn player to record two triple-doubles when he got No. 2 in a 80-62 win over Yale on Nov. 13, finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
3. Florida is allowing an SEC-low 60.3 points per game.
College Basketball Information
Florida got PG Wilbekin back from suspension Friday, had 8 assists in Gators' 67-66 win over Florida State. Gators split pair of road games, losing by 6 at Wisconsin- they force turnovers 22.1% of time. UConn is 7-0, winning its three top 100 games by total of four points. Huskies are making 44.7% of their 3's. AAC home favorites are 13-8 against spread.
Auburn is 4-1, but hasn't beat anyone ranked above #250, losing by 19 at home to #181 Northwestern (La) State. Tigers made 24.7% of its 3's, and all five games were at home. Iowa State is 5-0 with couple of top 50 wins (Michigan/BYU); they're making 60% (#3 in US) shots inside arc. Cyclones' next two games are Northern Iowa/Iowa; don't look ahead!!!
Western Kentucky won its last two games with Bowling Green by seven points each; Hilltoppers are 4-2 this year despite turning ball over 25% of time (#344 in US) and making 27.8% from arc. WKU lost both of its road games, at Wichita/Marshall. Bowling Green is 1-4 vs D-I teams, are shooting 21.1% from arc, 56% from line. MAC home teams are 10-13.
Vanderbilt is 4-2, losing by 7-8 points to couple Big East teams; Vandy lost its only road game by 8 in OT at Butler. Texas is 6-1, losing by 4 on neutral floor to BYU; Longhorns are one of ten least experienced teams in country. Vandy is making 60% from foul line, Texas 61.4%- not good. Commodores blew 17-point 2nd half lead to Providence at neutral site.
Cal lost last two games on Maui after big guy Solomon scratched his eye and sat out those games; Bears won first five games, with best win over #59 Arkansas. Cal-Irvine lost by 21 at Cal in last meeting couple years ago; Anteaters are 5-3 this year collection of slugs, with all three losses by 6 or less points. Big West road underdogs are 9-14 against spread.
Cal-Riverside is 2-3, with last two losses by total of four points; UCR is turning ball over 21% of time, making 27,5% from arc, but they force tunrovers 20.4% of time, an improvement. LMU went 1-2 on their trip to Virgin Islands; they won only road game by 1 at Long Beach State. Riverside is making 61.5% from line. WCC visitors are 10-4 vs spread.
Wright State shot 65% inside arc, forced 25 turnovers, had 18-10 edge on foul line in 66-57 win over Morehead State LY; Raiders are 3-3 this year vs D-I teams, with best win over #214 Western Carolina- they turn ball over 21.1% of time, but are #6 in US,. forcing turnovers 25.6% of time. Morehead is 5-3 vs D-I teams, with no wins against top 200 teams.
Chattanooga's new coach is old VCU assistant, so they're trying to play fast; Mocs are 0-3 on road, losing by 11-2-41 points, allowing teams to make 57% inside arc, 44.1% outside it. Georgia is 2-4, but both its wins are vs SoCon teams, by 20-18 points- they also lost to SoCon kingpin Davidson. Dawgs made just 28.6% of their 3-pointers in first six games.
Niagara is 1-6 with its new coach; they scored 90+ points in three of six losses- they're 0-4 on road, losing by 11-5-19-7 points. Eagles made just 24.8% of 3's in first seven games. Arkansas State is 4-2, with no wins vs teams ranked higher than #286, but they're making 39.4% from the arc. Sun Belt home favorites are 8-2 vs spread; MAAC road dogs are 10-9
Mercer beat Valparaiso in triple OT Friday after trailing by 12 in 2nd half; they had three guys play 43+ minutes. Bears are 3-3 against D-I teams, with a double OT home win over Seton Hall. Oklahoma is 5-1, with only loss to Michigan State; Sooners are playing #9 tempo in US- they haven't finished in top 100 in country in last decade- big change.
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