Xavier Musketeers (10-9) vs. Connecticut Huskies (17-2)
January 28, 2024 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Connecticut Huskies -12; Over/Under: +150.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Xavier Musketeers and the UConn Huskies meet in college basketball action from the XL Center on Sunday afternoon. Can UConn hold down the fort at home? Or will Xavier spring the upset? Let’s find out with our Xavier vs. UConn Prediction.
Xavier Team Preview
The Xavier Musketeers come into this one looking to bounce back from an 85-78 loss at the hands of Creighton last time out. Quincy Olivari leads the Musketeers in scoring with 17.9 PPG along with 5.1 RPG while Desmond Claude has 16.2 PPG with 4.7 RPG and 3.8 APG up to this point in the season. Dayvion McKnight has 11.1 PPG with 3.9 RPG and a team-high 4.8 APG to lead Xavier in the assist department and round out the trio of double-digit scorers for Xavier up to this point in the year while Abou Ousmane has a team-high 6.8 RPG to lead Xavier on the glass this season. As a team, Xavier is averaging 76.8 PPG on 44.2% shooting from the field, 35.1% from three and 73.4% from the foul line this season.
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UConn Team Preview
The UConn Huskies will be out to build on their 7-game win streak after a 66-65 win over Villanova last time out. Tristen Newton leads the Huskies across the board with 15.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 5.9 APG while Cam Spencer has 15.4 PPG with 4.3 RPG and 3.2 APG. Alex Karaban has 15 PPG with 5.8 RPG and Donovan Clingan has 12.8 PPG with 6.2 RPG to round out the scoring in double figures for UConn up to this point in the year. As a team, UConn is averaging 81.1 PPG on 49.4% shooting from the field, 35.1% from three and 72.9% from the foul line this season.
Xavier vs. UConn Prediction
I’m on UConn here. The Huskies are simply the most efficient team on both ends of the floor in this conference and it’s not all that close. Xavier has had some bad breaks this season with injuries and bad luck overall, but UConn is still looking like the team to beat. And I think they show why with a win and cover in this one.
