UConn vs. Xavier Prediction & Odds
Number two UConn heads to Cincinnati to face #22 Xavier at 12:00 PM ET Saturday afternoon. Can the Huskies cover the 2.5-point spread as road favorites on New Year’s Eve?
UConn is 14-0 on the year with their best wins coming over Alabama and Florida. The Huskies will look to remain undefeated on Saturday. The Huskies are 11-2-1 against the spread this season.
Xavier is 11-3 this season with their best wins coming over West Virginia and Cincinnati. Their worst losses came against Indiana and Duke. The Musketeers are 7-6-1 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
613 UConn Huskies (-2.5) vs. 614 Xavier Musketeers (+2.5); O/U 151.5
12:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 31, 2022
Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH
UConn vs. Xavier Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Huskies in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 57% of public bets are on Connecticut -2.5. Do note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
UConn Game Notes
UConn’s star player is junior forward Adama Sanogo. The 6’9” 245-pound Mali native is averaging 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 61.4% from the field. His size and strength should test Xavier’s frontcourt players in this game.
Connecticut’s best backcourt player is sophomore forward Jordan Hawkins. The 6’5” Gaithersburg, Maryland product is second on the club in scoring with 14.9 points per game. Hawkins has been deadly from deep this year as he’s shooting 40.9% on 7.8 three-point attempts per game. He will likely need to hit multiple treys for UConn to win and cover on Saturday.
Xavier Game Notes
The breakout star for the Musketeers this season has been senior guard Souley Boum. Boum played one season at San Francisco and three years at UTEP before transferring to Xavier this season. Souley Boum is pouring in a team-high 17.3 points per game while shooting a terrific 51.8% from the field and 50% from deep.
Xavier’s best big man is senior forward Jack Nunge. The 7’0” 245-pound Iowa transfer is second on the team in scoring with 15.2 points per game, leads the team in rebounding with 7.9 per game, and leads the team in blocks with 1.4 per game. Nunge is likely big enough to guard Adama Sanogo and how that matchup plays out will go a long way toward determining the outcome of this game.
UConn vs. Xavier CBB Betting Trends
UConn is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
UConn is 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 games following an outright win.
UConn is 11-2-1 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
Xavier is 7-15-1 ATS in their last 23 games following an outright win.
UConn vs. Xavier CBB Prediction:
UConn is one of only three Division I teams that are still undefeated on the season. The Huskies have been winning in dominant fashion too, as they’re second in the nation with an average scoring margin of +23.8 points per game. UConn is also ranked second in the country in adjusted efficiency margin according to Kenpom.com. I don’t think the Huskies will finish the regular season undefeated, but I think they keep this train rolling and finish the first two months of their season without a loss. I’ll lay the points with UConn.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: UCONN HUSKIES -2.5
