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Bet UConn to Cover Spread at Xavier

· Jan 10 - 4 minutes read

After dropping its first Big East conference game, UConn has strung together a three-game winning streak despite being without star center Donovan Clingan. However, the defending champions’ wins have come in a less convincing fashion, necessitating a more modest college basketball spread when it takes on Xavier on the road on Wednesday night.

UConn vs Xavier Game Information

Game: UConn (13-2) vs Xavier (7-7)
Location: Cintas Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 10, 8:30 p.m.
UConn vs Xavier Live Stream: TBS.com

No. 4 UConn looks to extend its winning streak to four games when it visits Xavier on Wednesday night in a Big East matchup. The Huskies are still without starting center Donovan Clingan as it prepares for a second straight conference road game. Xavier will be looking to bounce back at home after dropping a one-point decision at Villanova in its last game.

UConn vs Xavier Odds and Spreads

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UConn vs Xavier Betting Trends

Huskies are 11-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5.
Huskies are 2-2 ATS in their 4 Big East conference games.
Musketeers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
Musketeers have won their last 2 games against UConn straight up as underdogs.
Under is 4-0 in Musketeers last 4 games as an underdog.
Under is 4-0 in Musketeers last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

ATS Pick: UConn -5

Big East play has been something of a struggle for UConn, which cruised through its non-conference schedule with just one loss. It followed that up by losing its conference opener against Seton Hall and lost sophomore center Donovan Clingan in the process. The Huskies have managed to win the last three games but are clearly struggling without Clingan.

Samson Johnson has stepped in and scored a career-high 16 points against St. John’s. However, Johnson has found himself in foul trouble in each of the last three games, leaving UConn with little depth at the five. This has sprung junior forward Alex Karaban into an undersized five role at times. He’s answered the call in the last two games, averaging 18.5 points while shooting 60 percent from three. Senior guard Cam Spencer continues to shoot well from deep, knocking down over 43 percent of his tries.

While UConn needs Johnson to stay on the court, the team’s X-factor continues to be NBA draft lottery prospect Stephon Castle. The freshman is averaging 10 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists in Big East play. Co-leading scorer Tristen Newton also loves to stuff the stat sheet and followed up a scoreless effort against DePaul with 17 points in the win at Butler.

The Musketeers have struggled thus far without center Zach Freemantle, who is out for the season following foot surgery. They are nearly outside the top-200 in the country in most offensive categories. They only shoot 43.9 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three. Rice transfer Quincy Olivari is second in the Big East with over 17 points per game while Connecticut kid Desmond Claude chips in nearly 15 points a game while dishing out over three assists. Big man Abou Ousmane will match up with Johnson and boasts two double-doubles in his last five games.

Despite UConn’s slight stumbling of late, Xavier’s lack of offense, combined with UConn’s strong scoring defense, leads to potential struggles for the Musketeers. Even without Clingan, UConn is deep at other positions and will need to rely on such players. We believe UConn will win the game and cover the college basketball spread. With both Purdue and Houston losing on Tuesday night, the Huskies have a chance to make a statement and move up even further in the college basketball rankings.

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