UConn Huskies vs Xavier Musketeers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 12/28/2021

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Venue:  Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UConn +3, Xavier -3; Over/Under:  139 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  UConn NL, Xavier NL; Over/Under:  NL points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UConn NL, Xavier NL; Over/Under:  NL points

 

UConn Huskies:  10-3 (4th place, Big East)

Xavier Musketeers:  11-2 (3rd place, Big East)

 

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UConn Huskies:  3-2 last 5

Xavier Musketeers:  4-1 last 5

 

 

 

UConn is coming into this game with a 10-3 record overall and they are 1-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. This will be their 3rd conference matchup of the year and they are currently 1-1 in their conference games this season. They have won 2 of their last 3 games and are coming into this game off of a win in their last game. Their last loss was against the Providence Friars while their 2 wins in that span came against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies and the Marquette Golden Eagles in their last game. Tyrese Martin led the team in points in that game with 25 while RJ Cole was next on the team with 20 points. Andre Jackson also scored 10 points in that one as well. Cole led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Jackson led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 50% from the field, 30% from 3-point range, and 88.9% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 79.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 62.3 PPG against them. UConn has an ATS record of 6-7 this season and their O/U record is 8-5.

 

 

Xavier is coming into this game with an 11-2 record overall and they are 9-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. This will be the 3rd conference matchup on their schedule this season and they are currently 1-1 in their conference games this season. They have won 7 of their last 8 games but are coming into this one off of a loss in their last game which snapped a 7 game winning streak that they were on. Their 7 wins in that span were against the Virginia Tech Hokies, the Central Michigan Chippewas, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the Ball State Cardinals, the Cincinnati Bearcats, the Morehead State Eagles and the Marquette Golden Eagles while their loss came against the Villanova Wildcats in their last game. Dwon Odom led the team in points in that game off the bench with 13 while Nate Johnson was next on the team with 12 points. Paul Scruggs led the team in assists in that game with 4 while Colby Jones led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 40.4% from the field, 26.1% from 3-point range, and 76.9% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 75.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 62 PPG against them. Xavier has an ATS record of 9-4 this season and their O/U record is 5-7-1.

 

Xavier is coming into this game as a 3 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Xavier is undefeated at home this season and they have been playing very well recently. They are coming off of a loss that snapped a 7 game win streak that they were on but they will be hungry to get that game back here at home. Both of these teams are 1-1 in their conference games so this is a great opportunity for Xavier to get ahead with a win here. UConn is only 1-1 on the road this season so they have not played that great in those games. The best bet to place in this game is on Xavier to cover the spread here. 

 

UConn Xavier Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Tuesday, December 28, 2021 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Xavier 76 UConn 70.

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UConn Huskies: 26-14 O/U against conference opponents. 27-13 O/U after a conference game. 7-1 O/U off a road win against a conference rival. 16-6 O/U off a win against a conference rival.

Xavier Musketeers: 28-36 ATS in all games. 6-11 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 16-28 ATS as a favorite. 13-20 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 12-22 ATS against conference opponents.

 

 

UConn Huskies:  A. Sanogo (F) Early Jan - Abdominal injury.

Xavier Musketeers:  None.

 

 

“If we get that level guard play from RJ, Tyrese and Andre, we’re tough to beat.” - Dan Hurley after a win against Marquette.

 

 

"I thought we had some ridiculous turnovers in the second half. You set the tone like that, coming out of the half against a good team like Villanova, you're not gonna win." - Travis Steele on his team’s loss against Villanova.

 

 

 

R. Cole 

A. Jackson 

T. Martin 

Adama Sanogo 

I. Whaley

 

J. Hunter 

N. Johnson 

C. Jones 

D. Miles 

P. Scruggs

 

 

PPG: R. Cole (16.3)

APG: R. Cole (4.7)

Reb/G: A. Jackson (8)

 

PPG: N. Johnson (13.2)

APG: P. Scruggs (4.2)

Reb/G: C. Jones (8.2)

 

Coaches:

UConn Huskies: Dan Hurley (4th season)

Xavier Musketeers: Travis Steele (4th season)