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The No. 18 UConn Huskies (14-5, 6-2 Big East) and the Xavier Musketeers (12-8, 4-5) meet Saturday at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the UConn vs. Xavier odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
UConn has dropped 2 of the past 4 games, and it nearly lost another last time out Tuesday against Butler. The Huskies posted an 80-78 win in overtime against the Bulldogs, dropping to 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in the past 5 games. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 outings.
UConn topped Xavier 94-89 in OT Dec. 18, but it didn’t come close to covering as a 13.5-point favorite while the Over (146.5) connected.
Xavier scored a huge upset, 59-57, at Marquette last Saturday (Jan. 18), winning outright as a 10-point underdog while the Under (149.5) cashed. It followed that up with a 79-71 OT loss at St. John’s Wednesday as the Over (148.5) hit. That non-cover halted a 3-0 ATS run, and the Over ended a 3-game Under streak.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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UConn at Xavier odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): UConn +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Xavier -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Against the spread: UConn +1.5 (-105) | Xavier -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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UConn at Xavier picks and predictions
Prediction
UConn 76, Xavier 69
Moneyline
UCONN (+105) is a solid play on the road, as it looks for its first victory in regulation since Jan. 11 at Georgetown. UConn has won just twice in the past 4 games.
Xavier (-130) can’t be trusted at home, as the offense has really struggled this season. The Musketeers have suffered 6 losses in the past 10 games since Dec. 14, and it’s unlikely to upend the 2-time defending national champs, even if the Huskies are having some struggles lately.
Against the spread
Backing UConn +1.5 (-105) makes no sense unless you feel Xavier -1.5 (-115) is going to win by just a single point. If you like the Huskies, they’re a much better option at plus-money on the ML.
UConn has won 4 straight meetings in the series, including the last visit to Cintas Center Jan. 10, 2024, last season.
AVOID.
Over/Under
OVER 140.5 (-115) is a solid play in this Big East clash in the ‘Nati.
The Over has cashed in 5 of the past 6 meetings in this series and 8 of the previous 10 installments dating back to Nov. 22, 2019. That includes a perfect 4-0 mark in the past 4 meetings at Cintas Center.
For UConn, the Over has a slight 5-3 edge in the past 8 games, while going high at a 10-4-1 in the past 15 outings. That includes the Dec. 18 meeting at home against Xavier.
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