The 24th ranked UConn Huskies will travel to the Cintas Center to take on the 25th ranked Xavier Musketeers this Friday night in College Basketball action.
The 24th ranked UConn Huskies snapped a 2-game losing streak and improved to 16-6 on the season after defeating the 18th ranked Marquette Golden Eagles, 80-72, this past Tuesday. UConn led by a 46-36 margin at halftime and was able to hold off Marquette after taking a 72-61 lead with 2:32 left in regulation. UConn shot 47.4% from the field & 42.9% from beyond the arc while allowing Marquette to shoot 40.3% from the field & 37.5% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Huskies was Adama Sanogo who had a double-double with 24 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, & 2 steals.
On the season, UConn is averaging 78.0 ppg on 43.9% shooting from the field. The Huskies are averaging 7.6 three-pointers per game on 35.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UConn has been led by R.J. Cole (16.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.5 spg), Adama Sanogo (15.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.1 bpg), Tyrese Martin (13.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.9 apg), & Andre Jackson (7.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 bpg).
Defensively, UConn is holding their opponents to an average of 65.1 ppg on 39.4% shooting from the field. The Huskies have a rebound margin of 7.7 and a turnover margin of 1.3.
The 25th ranked Xavier Musketeers lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 16-7 on the season after being defeated by the Seton Hall Pirates, 73-71, this past Wednesday. Xavier struggled offensively in the 1st half against Seton Hall and could not fight all the way back after the Pirates took a 67-59 lead with 3:01 left in regulation. Xavier shot 51.1% from the field & 28.6% from beyond the arc while allowing Seton Hall to shoot 41.3% from the field & 35.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Musketeers was Paul Scruggs who had 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, & 3 steals.
On the season, Xavier is averaging 73.1 ppg on 44.7% shooting from the field. The Musketeers are averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 33.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Xavier has been led by Jack Nunge (12.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg), Paul Scruggs (12.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.5 spg), Colby Jones (10.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.5 spg), & Nate Johnson (9.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.0 apg).
Defensively, Xavier is holding their opponents to an average of 65.0 ppg on 40.9% shooting from the field. The Musketeers have a rebound margin of 4.3 and a turnover margin of 0.9.
The Huskies are 3-3 ATS in their last 6 road games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. The Musketeers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games & 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games.
UConn has been outstanding on both ends of the court this season and come into this game ranked 34th in scoring offense, 69th in scoring defense, 22nd in defensive FG%, & 11th in rebound margin. Xavier has been led by their defense which ranks T-66th in scoring defense & 65th in defensive FG%, however, the offense hasn’t been anything more than average as the Musketeers come into this game ranked 131st in scoring offense, 146th in FG%, & 203rd in 3P-FG%.
Xavier is an impressive 11-3 at home this season, however, the Musketeers have struggled as of late, losing 4 of their last 6 games including a recent home loss to DePaul. UConn hasn’t been great on the road this season, however, I do think the Huskies are the better team and as I expect UConn to come out of this one with a victory, I’m taking the Huskies and the point. Good Luck!