Xavier vs UConn 12/31/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UConn Huskies and the Xavier Musketeers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Cintas Center. UConn is fresh off a Wednesday matchup versus Villanova. In that one the Huskies won by eight points. As for Xavier, they’re coming off a Wednesday game versus St. John’s. The Musketeers ended up powering out a five-point victory. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

UConn hasn’t had a ton of trouble this year. The Huskies took out Stonehill, Boston U, Buffalo, UNCW, Delaware State, Oregon, Alabama, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Florida, LIU, Butler and Georgetown in their first 13 games. 

In the Wednesday matchup versus Villanova, the Huskies held a slim one-point lead by the break. UConn posted a 41-34 edge in the second half and won 74-66. Jordan Hawkins led the way on 22 points with seven boards. 

Over on the Xavier side, they went 4-3 in their first seven games this year, taking losses to Indiana, Duke and Gonzaga. The Musketeers would then take out Southeastern LA, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Southern U, Georgetown and Seton Hall in succession. 

Matched up against St. John’s on Wednesday, the Musketeers were up 48-37 by the break. Xavier was outscored 42-36 from there but hung on for the 84-79 win. Jack Nunge doubled up in the victory with 23 points and 12 rebounds. 

PICK: I might try Xavier here. The Musketeers are fresh off a nice win over a good St. John’s team. Xavier shot 45.7 percent in that one with a 48-36 rebounding advantage and 19 team assists. The Musketeers have hit 73 or more points in eight straight games and should be able to hang around with UConn. Speaking of the Huskies, they started a little slow in the Villanova game but everything worked out. UConn has hit 68 or more points in every game this year themselves, so this one could end up a fairly high-scoring affair. Should be a great matchup.