Butler vs UConn Odds, Picks and Predictions: The Butler Did It

The Butler Bulldogs will try to add a signature win to their NCAA Tournament resume when they visit the No. 1 Connecticut Huskies in a Big East showdown on Tuesday night.

Connecticut (20-2) has won 10 straight games, establishing itself yet again as a national championship favorite in the college basketball odds. Butler (15-7) has won four in a row to keep itself firmly on the March Madness bubble and in the top half of the Big East standings. 

This will be a difficult game for the Bulldogs to win, but they may be able to give the Huskies a tough test on their home court. We’ll break down the matchup in our free college basketball picks and predictions for Butler vs. Connecticut on February 6.

Butler vs UConn best odds

Butler vs UConn picks and predictions

Butler has already taken on UConn once before this season and gave the Huskies a run for their money. The Bulldogs led 42-35 at halftime on their home court a month ago, before Connecticut came back in the second half to capture an 88-81 win.

The final result wasn’t surprising. Connecticut is the consensus No. 1 team in the country, and most analytical metrics show them ranking right alongside the Houston Cougars and Purdue Boilermakers as the top tier of national title contenders. Elite on both sides of the ball, the Huskies are a hard team to beat and are the best squad in the Big East.

Yet Butler was able to hang with them in the last meeting. That was largely on the strength of its top three players, all guards who are fairly efficient scorers and who can hit with consistency from three-point range – the classic ability that keeps less talented teams in games against powerhouse opponents.

DJ Davis (14.0 points per game) led the way in the first game with 22 points, while Pierre Brooks (16.5 ppg) added 19 and Jahmyl Telfort (14.4 ppg) scored 16. The three combined to shoot 7-for-15 from three-point range on the night.

This wasn’t enough to win against UConn, of course. Butler had few answers for Alex Karaban (14.5 ppg), who scored 20 points in the game. The Bulldogs may also have some trouble dealing with center Donovan Clingan (12.3 ppg), who missed the first meeting between the two teams. When you throw those two big men in with Connecticut’s incredible depth and star guards Tristen Newton (15.9 ppg) and Cam Spencer (15.3 ppg), the gap here is clear.

But it’s fair to ask just how big that gap is. Connecticut has been posted as a 15.5-point favorite at some books, a massive line that will be tough for the Huskies to cover. UConn likes to play slowly, which limits the opportunities it has for blowout wins. In their current 10-game winning streak, the Huskies have only won two games by 15 points or more.

Butler shouldn’t have a chance to win this game, and if you just want to pick a winner, Connecticut is obviously the way to go. But the spread is far too wide between a team that rarely blows teams out and one that has already shown it can hang with the Huskies. I’m taking the Bulldogs and the bevy of points being offered tonight.

My best bet: Butler +15.5 (-110 at Caesars)

Butler vs UConn same-game parlay

Butler +15.5

Over 146

DJ Davis Over 1.5 3s made

Up to 100% boost available

+345 at DraftKings

I like Butler to stay reasonably close to Connecticut tonight, and I’ve built a same-game parlay that’s based on the two teams playing a similar game to their first matchup. That includes the Bulldogs to cover the spread, and for the two teams to combine for Over 146 points. The first game was played to a total of 169 points, and while we shouldn’t expect a repeat of that performance, the total is a bit low given what we’ve seen between these squads.

Finally, I’m throwing in a bet on Davis to hit Over 1.5 three-pointers tonight. Davis scored four times from deep against Connecticut in the first meeting and has hit at least two times from beyond the arc in three of his last four games. I expect him to do that again tonight to complete our SGP.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Butler vs UConn spread and Over/Under analysis

Connecticut opened tonight’s game as a 13.5-point favorite. That line has moved to anywhere from 14.5 to 15.5 points at various sites. While you can get -110 on either side at higher spreads, Butler is available at -102 if you’re willing to take only +14.5. 

Connecticut has played well against the spread this season, going 13-9 ATS on the year. Butler also has a winning record against the spread, posting an 11-10 ATS mark. 

The Huskies deserve to be a significant favorite tonight, but 15+ points is just too much. UConn rarely wins games by that margin, didn’t come close to beating Butler that badly in their first meeting, and is now facing a Bulldogs team that has won four straight. I like Butler and the points.

Tonight’s total opened at 148 points. The Over/Under has come down to a consensus of 146.5 points, with some books going down to 146 flat. You can find -110 on both sides of the market. 

Both teams have played above the total this year. Butler has the more obvious trend, with the Over holding a 13-7-1 edge in its games, while the Over has gone 11-10-1 when Connecticut plays this season. 

Butler has played above tonight’s total in each of its last three games and has hit the Over in five of six overall. Connecticut has also hit the Over in six of its last nine games, though it has only been above tonight’s total on four occasions in that span. Considering that the first game was played to a total of 169 points, I’m leaning towards the Over again tonight.

Butler vs UConn betting trend to know

Butler is 3-0 ATS in its last three games overall. Find more college basketball betting trends for Butler vs. UConn.

Butler vs UConn game info

Butler vs UConn key injuries

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