UConn vs. Xavier: College Basketball Odds & Picks (Wednesday)

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Welcome back to another day of best bets for the college basketball slate. In the dead of winter, nothing hits better than hot cocoa and conference basketball. We saw some awesome matchups last night and continue rolling with a fresh slate of games this evening. I won't preview this game but keep your eyes on Indiana State-Drake. The Sycamores have been rolling this year with an electric offense. At Drake is their first true road battle in the MVC this year and I'd advise getting your popcorn out because it should be a doozy. It will serve as a true test if Indiana State is a serious Cinderella contender this season, or just another analytical paper lion.

Here are my best college basketball bets for Wednesday's slate. Below we dive into UConn vs. Xavier.

You can follow all my bets on my BettingPros profile as I add last-minute bets and player props once they drop.  

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Wednesday’s College Basketball Best Bets: UConn vs. Xavier

Last Time: 1-1
Season: 28-24

UConn vs. Xavier

For the most difficult game of the evening to handicap we have UConn at Xavier. The Musketeers are 7-7 under Sean Miller with losses to Oakland, Delaware and Washington. The offense has struggled and their top-25th defense has kept games close, but not brought many impressive wins.

Connecticut has been playing shorthanded recently without Donovan Clingan but haven't shown much weakness with wins over St. John's, DePaul and Butler. Xavier is a step-up and Connecticut will have to bring their A-game to avoid an upset. Where the Musketeers line up well is on the interior. Boasting the ninth-best near-proximity defense, UConn's perimeter shooting will need to step-up, which I don't exactly trust and the Huskies have the desire for the interior look.

Xavier will have their work cut out for them offensively with UConn who does not allow second-chance looks and nothing from down low. Xavier will push the pace but Connecticut still lines up well in the transition game.

All in all, Big East play is inconsistent and like the wild west. Still, I see both defenses lining up well against one another and should wreak havoc on opposing offenses. I'm diving in on the under in this one.

Play: Under 146.5 (BetMGM)


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