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Big East conference play begins this week with a matchup between the #5 UConn Huskies (10-1, 7-4 ATS) and the Seton Hall Pirates (7-4, 4-7 ATS) on Wednesday night. This is the first conference game for each team. UConn is fresh off a huge win over #10 Gonzaga, winning 76-63 and covering as 3.5-point favorites in a neutral site matchup. Seton Hall is also coming off a big neutral site win, defeating Missouri 93-87 as 1.5-point dogs. These teams split last year's matchups, with the home team winning each game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 EST from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and can be found on CBSSN.
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UConn made it through preseason with only one loss, and that loss came in Allen Fieldhouse to #5 Kansas. UConn answered the rest of their challenges in the preseason, as they defeated #9 UNC, #10 Gonzaga and #15 Texas. They lost some of their top players from their NCAA Championship team last season, but still have plenty of top level talent on the roster. UConn has three players listed as potential draft picks according to NBADraft.net including freshman Stephon Castle, and sophomores Alex Karaban and Donovan Clingan. In their last game, UConn was led by Clingan with 21 points and eight rebounds.
UConn is led in points, rebounds and assists by 6'5 senior Tristan Newton. He was an important piece of the title team last year, and averages 16.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 6.0 RPG. Newton dropped 31 points in the early season loss to Kansas. Cam Spencer is the top shooter on the team, he has 34 made threes a nd is connecting on a red hot 45.9% from deep. Spencer is a 6'4 senior guard who transferred in from Rutgers last season. Alex Karaban is a 6'8 shooter who scores 15.2 PPG and adds 6.0 RPG as a stretch-four, while Donovan Clingan is an imposing 7'2, 280-pound center who adds 13.9 PPG and 6.2 RPG. Stephon Castle has NBA potential, but only plays 18 minutes per game and scores 9.0 per game.
The Huskies are currently ranked 3rd overall according to KenPom. Their offense is ranked 3rd in the nation in offensive efficiency and their defense is ranked 11th. The Huskies are a balanced team with a strong post presence, and play slow because of it. Their tempo is ranked 315th out of 362 Division I teams.