by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Dec 18, 2021
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Venue: XL Center, Hartford, CT
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: UConn -6.5
BetMGM: UConn -6.5
Caesars: UConn -6.5
Season record
Providence: 10-1
No. 20 UConn: 9-2
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Providence - UConn preview and analysis
Recent form
Providence: won 68-53 vs. Central Connecticut on Saturday
UConn: won 74-64 vs. St. Bonaventure on Saturday
Things just seem in working order when the Connecticut Huskies are in the Big East.
As is their place among the top 25 teams in the country.
No. 20 UConn will open its conference slate on Saturday when they host the 10-1 Providence Friars in what could be a tilt of two of the best teams in the conference.
UConn is off to a 9-2 start but the losses have come against Michigan State and West VIrginia. One of those wins was an epic double-overtime victory against the Auburn Tigers that has vaulted coach Dan Hurley’s group back into the national spotlight.
Leading the way is point guard R.J. Cole, who has the team lead in points (16.0) and assists (4.3). He had 15 points and three assists last week in the 10-point victory over the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. Akok Akok had 12 points and five rebounds, while Tyler Polley chipped in with 13 points off the bench, including three made 3-pointers.
“I just had to step it up. COach has been hard on me at practice. Told me to raise my intensity,” Akok said. “So just going out and playing hard and proving why you should be on the court.”
UConn’s strong start has been notable, but Providence has taken it to the Huskies with three straight wins in the series and enter on a five-game winning streak overall. The Friars are coming off a 15-point win over Central Connecticut. A.J. Reeves led the way with 17 points and Justin Minaya went a perfect 6 of 6 from the floor and had 14 points. His only miss was a lone free-throw miss.
Providence has four players in double figures, led by grad senior Nate Watson, who averages 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. They’ve won 10 of 11 because of sharing the ball and playing solid defense. Providence has wins over Wisconsin and Texas Tech, to name a few, before conference season began.
Prediction
The one constant that’s always remained the same with Providence is they always play to their competition. If there’s a chance to crack the top-25, you can always expect Providence to hang around. The Friars have a golden opportunity to put some folks on notice. It also helps getting 6.5 points. Providence by 10
Betting trends
Providence is 17-11 ATS as an underdog in its last 28 games.
Providence is 17-9 ATS off a home win in its last 26.
UConn is 38-8 in its last 46 straight up as a favorite.
Projected starting lineup
Providence:
PG: Alyn Breed
SG: A.J. Burham
SF: A.J. Reeves
PF: Noah Horchler
C: Nate Watson
SF: A.J. Reeves
PF: Noah Horchler
C: Nate Watson
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
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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.
