UConn Eager to Bounce Back
Expect an extra jump in the step of the UConn players after the Huskies lost to Xavier the last time out. The Huskies are favored against Providence for the 17th time in a row,
Providence has won seven games in a row, second only to Xavier for the longest active winning streak among Big East teams.
UConn ranks seventh nationally with 19.1 assists per game and 21st with 82.3 points while Providence is in the top 40 in points (80.2) and offensive rebounds (11.1) per game.
Forward Samson Johnson remains sidelined for UConn while Quante Berry is out from Providence.
UConn fell two spots to No. 4 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and three positions to No. 5 in the coaches’ poll. Providence is receiving votes in both national polls so perhaps a win over the Huskies would push the Friars into the Top 25.
According to the college basketball odds, UConn (+1000) is tied with UCLA for the second-best odds to win the national title. Providence is well back at +30000.
Let’s check the latest college basketball odds, stats, injury reports and college basketball lines for UConn vs Providence. We’ve plenty of NCAA basketball odds for you to consider.
Balance Key for UConn
Two numbers stood out in UConn’s loss to Xavier: – 37 and 4.
UConn fired up 37 3-pointers and made just four of its nine foul shots in its first loss. It would be easy to look at the fact that Xavier attempted 19 more free throws than UConn as a little bit of home-cooking. However, when more than half of your shots come from behind the 3-point line, there won’t be many trips to the foul line.
Adama Sanogo did attempt 17 shots in the loss and don’t be surprised to see him approach that number again. More will be needed from freshmen Alex Karaban and Donovan Clingan, who were just 4 of 12 in the game.
Sanogo did not play the last time UConn and Providence met and that certainly played a factor in the Providence upset. Jordan Hawkins missed all three of his field goal attempts (all from 3-point range). Expect more from the Huskies’ top two scorers.
The Las Vegas odds total has gone over in four of UConn’s last five games.
Hopkins Lighting It Up
Bryce Hopkins averaged just 6.4 minutes in the 28 games he played in as a freshman at Kentucky. It has been a different story since he arrived at Providence.
Hopkins had 18 points in his first game as a Friar and that was five more than he had in any of his games at Kentucky.
The 6-foot-7 sophomore was just getting warmed up as he has four 20-point games and five double-doubles, including a game with 29 points and 23 rebounds in an overtime win against nationally-ranked Marquette.
UConn coach Dan Hurley told the media that Hopkins is playing like a Big East Player of the Year. His numbers of 15.7 points on 49% shooting to go with 9.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists would back up Hurley’s words.
Dan Hurley on Bryce Hopkins: “He looks to me like a Player of the Year type of player. He pushes the ball in transition the way Andre Jackson does for us. That’s a very tough matchup for Alex (Karaban).”
— David Borges (@DaveBorges) January 3, 2023
Hopkins wasn’t asked to shoulder much of the offensive burden against overmatched Butler and DePaul teams, as he was just 7 of 17 from the field in those two games. Expect him to be more assertive offensively against the Huskies.
Providence has covered against the college basketball betting in each of its last seven contests.
UConn vs Providence Game Injuries
UConn vs Providence Head-to-Head
Providence has won four of the last five home games against the Huskies. The Friars are trying to win consecutive games against UConn for the first time since 2008. They upset the Huskies 57-53 in the last meeting on Dec. 18, 2021.
The winner of the game has also covered in each of the last 21 matchups.
Four of the last six contests between UConn and Providence have been decided by four points or less, with three of the last four games finishing under the total.
UConn vs Providence Game Information
- Game: UConn (14-1, 3-1 Big East) vs Providence (12-3, 4-0)
- Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, RI
- Day/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 4th, 8:30 p.m. ET
- UConn vs Providence Live Stream: TBS.com
UConn vs Providence Betting Lines
UConn vs Providence Picks & Prediction
Since narrow escapes against Seton Hall and Marquette, Providence has beaten Butler by 20 points and DePaul by 15. A matchup with UConn, especially coming off a loss, should be a much tougher battle.
UConn is 13-1 when listed by the sportsbook as the favorite while Providence is 2-3 as the underdog.
The teams are a combined 20-10 against the spread with 18 of the 30 games going over the total.
UConn and Providence are first and second in the Big East in scoring margin and rebounding margin. They both rank in the top four in both field goal percentage offense and defense.
Providence is first in the conference in blocked shots and third in steals so it will be worth watching to see if the Friars can fluster the high-scoring Huskies.
UConn is listed at -220 in our Las Vegas college basketball lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Huskies, you have a chance to win $45. Providence is +180, offering a chance to win $180 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives UConn a 68.75% chance to win, with Providence at 35.71%.
UConn vs Providence Trends
UConn vs Providence Edge
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UConn vs Providence Game Summary
