The No. 2 UConn Huskies (14-0, 3-0 Big East) take on the No. 25 Xavier Musketeers (11-3, 3-0) Saturday. Tip from Cintas Center is set for noon ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the UConn vs. Xavier'odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Xavier beat St. John’s 84-79 Wednesday, covering as a 1.5-point road favorite. The Musketeers are 7-6-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season and 6-4 ATS over their last 10 games. They’re led by G Souley Boum, who is averaging 17.3 points per game. Xavier ranks 5th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (40.8%) and 15th in points per game (83.9).
UConn beat Villanova at home 74-66 Wednesday. It led by just 1-point at halftime and failed to cover the spread as a 12.5-point home favorite. The Huskies are 11-2-1 ATS on the season and 8-2 ATS over their last 10 games. They rank 14th in opponents’ points per game (59.1) and 8th in opponents’ 3-point field goal percentage (26.5%).