A pair of AP Top 25 teams clash in a key Big East Conference matchup on Friday when the No. 24 Connecticut Huskies face the No. 25 Xavier Musketeers. The Huskies (16-6, 7-4), who have won six of their last eight games, are 2-2 against ranked opponents this season. The Musketeers (16-7, 6-6), who have dropped four of six, including two straight, are just 1-3 against ranked foes. Xavier has been ranked for nine consecutive weeks in the AP poll.
The game from Cintas Center in Cincinnati is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET. UConn is averaging 78 points per game, while Xavier averages 73.1. The Musketeers are one-point favorites in the latest UConn vs. Xavier odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is set at 138.5. Before locking in any Xavier vs. UConn picks, be sure to check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of over $2,300 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Connecticut vs. Xavier, and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Xavier vs. Connecticut:
- UConn vs. Xavier spread: Xavier -1
- UConn vs. Xavier money line: Xavier -115, UConn -105
- UConn vs. Xavier over-under: 138.5 points
- CONN: The Huskies are 14-6-1 against the spread in their last 21 road games against a team with a winning home record
- XAV: The under is 4-1 in the Musketeers' last five games against a team with a winning percentage above .600
Why Xavier can cover
Sophomore guard Colby Jones is a big part of the Musketeers' offense and is averaging 10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He has reached double-digit scoring in 12 games, including three double-doubles. He scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 77-71 win at Oklahoma State in the Big East-Big 12 Battle on Dec. 5. He poured in a season-high 19 points and grabbed eight boards in a 73-59 win over Kent State on Nov. 12.
Senior guard Nate Johnson averages 9.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and one assist per game. He is connecting on 41.5 percent of his field goals, including 39 percent from 3-point range, and 74.4 percent of his free throws. Although he has been relatively quiet the past three games, he scored 15 points in a 74-64 win at Creighton on Jan. 29. He has scored in double figures in 10 games, including a season-high 30 points against Virginia Tech on Nov. 26.
Why UConn can cover
Six Huskies are averaging 7.1 points or better, led by senior guard R.J. Cole, who is averaging 16 points, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He is nearly automatic at the free-throw line, connecting on 89 percent of his foul shots. Cole scored nine points in the win over Marquette, but has had two 25-point efforts over the past four games. He has reached double-digit scoring in 18 games, including a season-high 26 points in a 70-63 overtime win over VCU on Nov. 26.
Also powering the Huskies is sophomore forward Adama Sanogo. Sanogo was red hot against Marquette, posting a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. He has scored in double figures in eight of his last nine games, and has posted five double-doubles on the year. He scored a season-high 30 points in a 115-109 double-overtime win over Auburn on Nov. 24. He is averaging 15.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and is connecting on 52.9 percent of his shots from the floor.
How to make Xavier vs. UConn picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting 142 combined points. It also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Connecticut vs. Xavier? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up more than $2,300 on its college basketball picks the last five years, and find out.
