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UConn vs. Xavier Prediction and Odds: UConn Is Better Team Than Odds Suggest UPDATE: Game Postponed

By Matt De Saro

The UConn offense outranks Xavier in several important categories yet remains betting underdogs on Tuesday night.
The UConn offense outranks Xavier in several important categories yet remains betting underdogs on Tuesday night. / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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UPDATE: UConn-Xavier has been postponed after positive COVID-19 tests in UConn's program.

What follows is the initial betting preview for this matchup:

The No. 18 Xavier Musketeers will be looking to bounce back after suffering their first Big East loss to the No. 23 Villanova Wildcats. They get their first chance on Tuesday when another conference rival, the Connecticut Huskies, head to the Cintas Center.

The Huskies are coming off a win last time out against Marquette 78-70. However, they have also lost two of their last four games to Providence and West Virginia. UConn has three players who average double-digit scoring including team-leader R.J. Cole. Cole is posting 16.3 points along with 3.5 boards and 4.7 dimes per game.

He has some solid backup with both Adama Sanogo and Tyrese Martin who average 14.6 points per game and 14.4 points per game respectively. The trio combines to create a pretty scary trio for opponents to deal with as each player is a threat to go off on any given night.

Xavier’s offense is nothing to sneeze at mind you. While their leading scorer, Nate Johnson, is averaging only 13.2 points per game, the Musketeers have four starters who average double digits.

The group should combine to play a very competitive and exciting game tonight in the Big East.

Here are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

UConn vs. Xavier Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • UConn +3 (-110)
  • Xavier -3 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • UConn +130
  • Xavier -150

Total: 138.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

UConn vs. Xavier and Pick

As I’m pouting over these two teams and their metrics, I keep coming back to the same question.

Why is UConn an underdog in this game?

The Huskies rank higher in the most relevant offensive statistical categories. Some aren’t even that close.

UConn has the 27th ranked offense in terms of scoring, Xavier is 63rd. UConn is 10th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game, Xavier is 20th. The Musketeers also give up a ton more turnovers on offense than the Huskies and rank 232nd in turnovers per game allowed.

Sure, Xavier does have a slightly better defense, but neither team is particularly good on that side of the court. I like the value that UConn presents here to march into Cincinnati and beat Xavier outright. 

Pick: UConn Huskies +130 to win

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