by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Dec 21, 2021
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Where to watch: FS1
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: UConn -3.5
BetMGM: UConn -3.5
Caesars: UConn -4.5
Season record
UConn: 9-3
Marquette: 8-4
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UConn - Marquette preview and analysis
Recent form
UConn: lost 57-53 vs. Providence on Saturday
Marquette: lost 80-71 at Xavier on Saturday
The good start for the UConn Huskies has come to an abrupt end.
We talked about it last week that heading into their matchup with the now-ranked Providence Friars, the road team always played up to their competition.
Now UConn has to go on the road, losers of two of three, but face an also-struggling team in the Marquette Golden Eagles on Tuesday at Fiserv Forum.
The Huskies are coming off a 4-point loss to the Friars and knocked them out of the top-25, with Providence taking their place. R.J. Cole led the way with 16 points but had to go 5 of 19 from the floor in order to get there. Tyrese Martin also had 15 points, but took 14 shots to get there.
It turned out to be a rough 10 days for Connecticut, coming off the loss to West Virginia and a 10-point win over St. Bonaventure, only to have it crash back down and start over again.
But at least UConn isn't as bad off as Marquette is. Not only are they coming off a 9-point loss over the now-ranked Xavier Musketeers, but the Golden Eagles have now lost three of four with all losses coming by at least nine points (11 vs. UCLA, 13 at Wisconsin).
Marquette shot 41.5 percent from the floor and only 9 of 26 from 3-point range in the loss to Xavier. Greg Elliott led the way with 18 points in 29 minutes off the bench, while Darryl Morsell had 14 points on 6 of 13 shooting.
The difference in that game was free throws. Xavier went to the line 35 times and made 21, while Marquette went only 8 of 12 from the charity stripe. Perhaps things go differently if Marquette draws more fouls,
Prediction
UConn comes into this game favored by as high as 4.5 points and an offense that can easily travel well on the road. Neither team has done well against the spread (UConn at 5-7, Marquette 6-6). I expect Cole to have a big game and have UConn pull away with the backdoor cover. UConn by 7
Betting trends
UConn is 22-17 ATS in its last 39 conference games.
UConn is 13-9 ATS after allowing 60 points or less the previous game.
Marquette is 17-22 ATS in its last 39 conference games.
Projected starting lineup
UConn:
PG: R.J. Cole
SG: Jordan Hawkins
SF: Andre Jackson
PF: Akok Akok
C: Isaiah Whaley
SF: Andre Jackson
PF: Akok Akok
C: Isaiah Whaley
Marquette:
PG: Tyler Kolek
SG: Kam Jones
SF: Darryl Morsell
PF: Justin Lewis
C: Kur Kuath
SF: Darryl Morsell
PF: Justin Lewis
C: Kur Kuath
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
