VW'S CBB SWEET 16 GAME OF THE YEAR (4-2)
- Handicapper
- Vegas Writer
- League
- NCAAB
- Competition
- Arkansas vs Connecticut
- Time
- 03/23/2023 07:15 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Connecticut -4 (-110)
(Caesars)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- The Arkansas Razorbacks are riding high after eliminating the top seed in their region for a second consecutive national tournament. Still, they will undoubtedly have their hands full when they meet up with the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinal round of the West Region tonight in Las Vegas.
Connecticut enters this round having won and covered the spread in two straight while winning eight of its last nine games overall (7-2 ATS). While Arkansas toppled No. 1-seed Kansas 72-71 over the weekend, UConn dismantled Saint Mary’s 70-55 to get to the round of 16.
The Huskies have been taking care of business on both ends of the court all season long, posting the nation’s 29th-highest scoring average of 79 points per game on 45.9% shooting from the field, and 35.6% from 3-point range, both ranked 105th. They accomplished this while also allowing just 64.8 ppg. (43rd), 40.8% shooting from the floor (33rd), and a stellar 29.7% from deep (14th).
Arkansas also won its last two as well but dropped four of five prior to that. It put up a respectable 74.8 ppg. on average (110th) on 45.7% shooting (33rd), but has been horrendous from behind the 3-point line, knocking down just 32.1% of those attempts (301st).
Another major concern for the Razorbacks is the overall health and availability of their freshman point guard and potential lottery pick Anthony Black, who’s listed as probable, though dealing with a left foot injury.
The Huskies have covered six of their last seven versus teams with winning straight-up records, and have won six of their last seven neutral site games, three of which came in postseason tournament play this year.
Side with UConn here minus the relatively small number.
