Xavier Musketeers vs UConn Huskies Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/14/2024

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Thursday, March 14, 2024

Venue:  Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Xavier +15.5, UConn -15.5; Over/Under:  150.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Xavier +15.5, UConn -15.5; Over/Under:  150.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Xavier +15.5, UConn -15.5; Over/Under:  150.5 points

Xavier Musketeers:  15-16 (9-11) (9th place, Big East)

UConn Huskies:  28-3 (18-2) (1st place, Big East)

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Xavier Musketeers:  3-2  last 5

UConn Huskies:  4-1  last 5

Xavier is entering this game with a 16-16 record overall, a 9-11 record in conference games, and they are 2-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Butler Bulldogs in their last game. Desmond Claude led the team in points per game in that game with 24 while Dayvion McKnight was next on the team with 20. Quincy Olivari led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Quincy Olivari led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 46.3% from the field, 31.8% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 74.2 PPG against them. Xavier has an ATS record of 16-16 this season and their O/U record is 17-15.

UConn is entering this game with a 28-3 record overall, an 18-2 conference record, and they are 4-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Providence Friars in their last game. Alex Karaban led the team in points in that game with 16 while Stephon Castle was next on the team with 14. Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer each led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Tristen Newton led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 42.6% from the field, 40.7% from 3-point range, and 83.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 81.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 64 PPG against them. UConn has an ATS record of 20-11 this season and their O/U record is 15-15-1.

The current betting odds have UConn listed as a 15.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. UConn has looked really good in their games this season with their 28-3 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country and also ranked as one of the best teams in the country. They have looked great in the Big East all year with their 18-2 conference record which led the conference, and they have also looked great at neutral sites with their 4-0 record in those games. Meanwhile, Xavier hasn't looked great in their games this season with their 16-16 record overall and their 9-11 conference record which has them in the bottom half of the Big East. They haven't been bad in their neutral site games with their 2-1 record in those, but they haven't looked as good as UConn has in their games lately. Xavier is only 3-2 in their last 5 games while UConn is 4-1 in their last 5 games and has a lot more momentum on their side. UConn also has the advantage of being rested since Xavier is playing on a back-to-back here, and Xavier doesn't really have the talent to keep this game close on tired legs against one of the best teams in the country. The best way to place a bet here is on UConn to cover the spread in this game. 

Xavier UConn Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, March 14, 2024 (12:00 pm ET start time) is UConn 91 Xavier 67.

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Xavier Musketeers: 3-8 ATS when playing with double revenge - 2 straight losses vs. opponent. 13-20 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 31-20 OVER after a game where they covered the spread. 8-3 OVER revenging a road blowout loss vs opponent of 20 points or more. 

UConn Huskies: 20-11 ATS in all games. 17-5 ATS in all neutral court games. 13-7 ATS against conference opponents. 28-14 OVER as a favorite of 10 or more points. 13-5 OVER after 2 or more consecutive unders. 

Xavier Musketeers:  S. Ciani (F) out for season - Leg. D. Swain (G) Out indefinitely - Appendix. J. Hunter (F) out for season - Heart. Z. Freemantle (F) out for season - Foot.

UConn Huskies:  None.

"We didn't feel like we played as well as we were capable of when we played them at Hinkle Fieldhouse. That doesn't mean anything. You have to be able to respond." - Sean Miller after his team’s win against Butler in their last game on Wednesday.

“We’re thinking history here. We're thinking legacy. We’re thinking exclamation point on the regular season.” - Dan Hurley after his team’s win against Providence in their last game on Saturday.

D. Claude 

D. McKnight 

G. Nemeikša 

Q. Olivari 

A. Ousmane

S. Castle 

D. Clingan 

A. Karaban 

T. Newton 

C. Spencer

PPG: Q. Olivari (19.5)

APG: D. McKnight (5)

Reb/G: A. Ousmane (6.5)

PPG: T. Newton (15)

APG: T. Newton (5.8)

Reb/G: T. Newton (7.1)

Coaches:

Xavier Musketeers: Sean Miller (2nd season)

UConn Huskies: Dan Hurley (6th season)