UConn vs. Auburn Prediction and Odds: Back Veteran Huskies to Cover

Danny Hurley and the Connecticut Huskies head to The Bahamas to announce themselves as a legitimate Final Four contender in the Battle 4 Atlantis.

They get started on Wednesday afternoon against Bruce Pearl's Auburn Tigers.

How should we bet this one? Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook.

UConn vs. Auburn Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• UConn: -2.5 (-110)
• Auburn: +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• UConn: -140
• Auburn: +120

Total: 142.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

UConn vs. Auburn Prediction and Pick

This is a high level matchup, but I'm going to give the edge to the Huskies in this early season battle.

Auburn's offense is still a work in progress, shooting below 30% from three and are hyper-reliant on scoring in transition. Pearl is still integrating in lead ball handlers Wendell Green and KD Johnson, who are both transfers, and are giving up size to the lanky UCONN backcourt, led by RJ Cole.

I wonder how both teams are going to score efficiently? Auburn has ability to shut down the paint with UNC transfer Walker Kessler and five star freshman Jabari Smith, but the Tigers have struggled with defensive-minded clubs that make this offense work in the half-court. Auburn had to grind out a 58-52 win at South Florida last week.

UConn is going to attack the paint and I see them doing enough to get the job done on Wednesday afternoon. The team is generating their points from inside the arc, top 100 in two-point rate, and top five in offensive rebounding rate. There is an avenue to success that the Huskies to get their points, and I'm not sure Auburn has their identity in place just yet. This is a veteran club that I believe is more ready for a high profile matchup to get this done.

I show a small number edge on the Huskies, making them -3.5, so I'll play them below -3.

PICK: UConn -2.5 (play to -3)