UConn vs. Seton Hall prediction and odds for Wednesday, January 18 (Huskies get back on track)

Once thought of as a National Championship contender, UConn has dropped four of five in Big East play and it may not get any easier for them now that it was announced head coach Danny Hurley has entered health and safety protocols.

The Huskies are off a disheartening loss to St. John’s over the weekend at home and now head to the Prudential Center to face off against Seton Hall, who is struggling on the offensive side of the floor.

The Pirates are also .500 in league play and could use a signature victory against a Big East foe, can they catch a team slipping down the standings without their head coach?

Here are the odds:

UConn vs. Seton Hall odds, spread and total

UConn vs. Seton Hall prediction and pick

I’m not going to overreact to the news that Hurley won’t be on the sidelines as I see a massive advantage for the Huskies on the defensive side of the floor.

The Pirates have struggled against the elite teams in the Big East this season, scoring 70 or less against Providence, Xavier, Marquette and Creighton. UConn’s defense is still arguably the best in the conference, holding teams to a 47% effective field goal percentage and do a great job of running teams off the three-point line and into the length of Adama Sanogo on the interior.

Seton Hall is very reliant on scoring on the interior, ranking 21st in shot proximity per Haslametrics, but UConn is elite at defending the rim, allowing the 13th lowest field goal percentage.

This is a buy low spot on UConn, who has the defense to slow down the Pirates and pull away in a physical matchup.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.