The third-seeded UConn Huskies (22-8) meet the sixth-seeded Seton Hall Pirates (21-9) Thursday for a second-round tilt in the Big East Tournament. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden will be at 9:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Seton Hall vs. UConn odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The No. 20 Huskies earned a first-round bye after winning six of their last seven regular-season games. They’ll now face Seton Hall for the third time this season after splitting their first two meetings.
UConn is led by G R.J. Cole, who averaged 15.8 points per game and 4.1 assists per game, this season. F Adama Sanogo was second on the team with 15.3 points per game and 8.6 rebounds, nearly averaging a double-double.
Seton Hall got hot at the perfect time as winners of its last five games in the regular season and taking down Georgetown in the first round of the Big East Tournament.
It starts with senior G Jared Rhoden for the Pirates. He averaged 16.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season, but he only scored 14 and 15 points in two games against UConn.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Seton Hall vs. UConn odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:38 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Seton Hall +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | UConn -205 (bet $205 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Seton Hall +3.5 (-110) | UConn -3.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -122 | U: -112)
Seton Hall vs. UConn odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
UConn 67, Seton Hall 62
Money line
UConn is a legitimate contender this year that features a stout defense, athletic wing scorers and a heady point guard in Cole. However, the Pirates have given UConn some trouble in the last two seasons, winning two of their four meetings. I’m going to PASS on the money line with UConn (-205) andl look to the points.
Against the spread
The last 10 meetings between UConn and Seton Hall are split dead even 5-5 against the spread, though Seton Hall covered in their most recent meeting as a 5.5-point underdog.
However, I think the Huskies will cover the spread as long as Sanogo can stay out of foul trouble and they can find some consistency from 3-point range. I like UCONN -3.5 (-125).
Over/Under
The Over/Under is split 5-5 across UConn’s last 10 games. However, the Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams. I like the UNDER 131.5 (-112) in this game, which is the opening matchup for UConn in its conference tournament. There could be some nerves to shake off early.
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