The only midweek top 25 matchup pits the #19 UConn Huskies (16-5, 5-5 Big East) hosting the #13 Xavier Musketeers (16-4, 8-1 Big East). Xavier knocked off the Huskies early this season on New Years Eve in an 83-73 victory.
The tipoff of Wednesday’s conference tilt is at 6:30 p.m. EST inside the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.
UConn is a seven-point favorite, and the over/under total is 151 points.
What to Know – #13 Xavier Musketeers
Xavier has had a great start to conference play, winning eight of its first nine Big East matchups to take sole possession of the top spot. The Musketeers knocked off Georgetown, 95-82, over the weekend after suffering their first conference loss earlier last week.
Offensively, the Musketeers lead the Big East in scoring averaging 84.1 points per game. Xavier is shooting 50.1% from the field and 39.7% from the 3-point line. On defense, the Musketeers hold opponents to 75.3 ppg, 44.6% shooting from the floor, and 36.2% shooting from beyond the arc.
Five players for Xavier are averaging in double-figures, led by guard Souley Boum scoring 16.6 ppg. Forward Zach Freemantle is second on the team averaging 15.4 ppg and pacing the Musketeers in rebounding grabbing 8.5 boards a game.
The Musketeers are 11-8-1 overall against the spread this year with a 3-2 record ATS on the road. Xavier is riding a 5-2 mark ATS over its last seven contests.
What to Know – #19 UConn Huskies
The Huskies began the season as one of the hottest teams in college basketball but have slid down the rankings once conference play began. UConn has dropped five of its last seven games after a 14-0 start to the year.
The Huskies sits third in the conference in scoring, pouring in 79.3 ppg thanks to 45.9% shooting from the floor and 35.3% from beyond the arc. UConn’s defense is atop the Big East, surrendering 63.5 ppg while limiting teams to 45.9% shooting from the field and 26.9% from three.
Forward Adama Sanogo does it all for the Huskies, leading the team in both scoring (17.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 ppg). Sanogo’s 17.2 ppg tops the Big East Conference. Jordan Hawkins chips in 15.5 ppg and the team’s second-leading scorer and primary outside threat.
UConn is 13-8 ATS in the 2022-23 season and 8-4 ATS on their home floor. The Huskies are just 2-7 ATS over their previous nine matchups.
The Pick is In
Wednesday’s marquee matchup in college basketball pits two top teams from the Big East Conference. Xavier has looked the part this season, while the Huskies began the year on fire but have struggled over the last month.
We understand that the Musketeers are the road team, but this line is surprising. We will gladly take the points backed by Xavier’s offense that put up 95 points on Saturday.
The Pick: #13 Xavier Musketeers +7
