- Xavier and UConn open their Big East schedules in Storrs in Wednesday night
- Riding an impressive four-game win streak, Dan Hurley’s Huskies are ten-point home favorites
- See the Xavier vs UConn odds, player props, and predictions for Dec. 18
Since losing three straight games in late November, the two-time reigning national champion UConn Huskies (8-3, 6-0 home, 6-4-1 ATS) have been on an absolute tear, rattling off four straight wins overall and three in a row over top-50 opponents. On Wednesday night, they bring a perfect 6-0 home record into their Big East opener against the Xavier Musketeers (8-3, 0-2 away, 5-6 ATS) at the XL Center in Storrs. Tip-off is set for 4:00 pm ET and the hometown Huskies are big 13.5-point favorites.
Xavier vs UConn Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier Musketeers | +13.5 (-120) | +750 | O 146.5 (-115) |
| UConn Huskies | -13.5 (-100) | -1400 | U 146.5 (-1105) |
On the moneyline, the Huskies are a hyper-short -1400 to win straight-up with Xavier a +750 longshot to hand UConn its first home loss since January 25, 2023. The game total is sitting at 146.5 with the over slightly favored at -115.
Odds as of Dec. 18 at ESPN Bet. See the best sportsbook promos available for Wednesday night’s college basketball slate.
UConn was always going to be a sizable favorite tonight, but the odds wouldn’t have been quite this lopsided if not for a huge injury on the Xavier side. Leading scorer and rebounder Zach Freemantle (16.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG) is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
Freemantle suffered the injury late in Xavier’s “Crosstown Shootout” loss to intracity rival Cincinnati (68-65) on Saturday. The 6’9 senior had 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 35 minutes in the loss.
UConn, meanwhile, has rattled off four straight wins since a trio of losses to Memphis (99-97 OT), Colorado (73-72), and Dayton (85-67) at the Maui Invitational. The last three all came against quality competition: Baylor (76-72 home), Texas (76-65 away), and Gonzaga (77-71 neutral).
Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Karaban (CON) | 15.5 (Ov -102 | Un -128) | 5.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | OFF |
| Dayvion McKnight (XAV) | 10.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | OFF | OFF |
| Liam McNeeley (CON) | 13.5 (Ov -125 | Un -104) | 6.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | OFF |
| Ryan Conwell (XAV) | 15.5 (Ov -110 | Un -118) | OFF | OFF |
| Solo Ball (CON) | 12.5 (Ov -120 | Un -108) | OFF | OFF |
Player props as of Dec. 18 at FanDuel. Get the FanDuel promo code to bet on the Xavier vs UConn player props.
The available player props aren’t extensive. Only five players are on the board, the top-three scorers from UConn – Alex Karaban (15.6 PPG), Liam McNeeley (13.6 PPG), and Solo Ball (12.5) – and the top-two remaining scorers from Xavier – Ryan Conwell (16.5 PPG) and Dayvion McKnight (10.3 PPG).
Xavier vs UConn Prediction
This is a tough ask for Xavier in their first game without their best player: going on the road to face the two-time defending champs, who also happen to be red-hot.
The Musketeers have been elite at defensive rebounding this season, grabbing 76.6 of available defensive rebounds (13th in DI) but that’s sure to take a hit without Freemantle. They are still stacked with good three-point shooters, but Storrs is an awfully difficult place to heat up from deep. The Huskies still have a ton of length on the perimeter. Their current defensive-efficiency ranking of 72nd in the nation is undoubtedly going to improve over the coming weeks.
I see UConn winning their Big East opener in a runaway.
- Xavier vs UConn pick: UConn -13.5 (-100) at ESPN Bet
Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 10-6 (+3.54 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.
The highly anticipated matchup between Xavier and UConn on December 18th is sure to be a thrilling game for college basketball fans. Both teams have had strong starts to the season and are looking to continue their success in this upcoming game.
When it comes to betting odds, Xavier is currently listed as the favorite with a point spread of -3.5. This means that they are expected to win by at least 4 points in order for bettors to cash in on their wager. On the other hand, UConn is the underdog with a point spread of +3.5, meaning they can lose by up to 3 points and still cover the spread.
In terms of player props, there are several key players to keep an eye on in this matchup. For Xavier, guard Paul Scruggs has been a standout player so far this season, averaging 15 points per game. He will be a key player to watch for scoring opportunities and assists. On the UConn side, guard R.J. Cole has been a strong contributor, averaging 17 points per game. He will be a player to watch for three-point shooting and defensive plays.
As for game predictions, this matchup is expected to be a close one with both teams evenly matched. Xavier has a slight edge as the favorite, but UConn has shown they are capable of pulling off upsets. It could come down to which team can execute their game plan effectively and make key plays down the stretch.
Overall, this game between Xavier and UConn is shaping up to be an exciting one for college basketball fans and bettors alike. With competitive betting odds, key player props to watch, and a close game predicted, it will be a matchup worth tuning in for on December 18th.
