The UConn Huskies look to stay both perfect at home and in Big East play when they host the Providence Friars on Sunday.
Providence vs UConn prediction
My best bet
UConn -15 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
It was not exactly the home sendoff the Providence Friars anticipated before heading off to face the two-time national champs. Providence dropped three straight games at Amica Mutual Pavilion, the latest a 78-50 thrashing at the hands of eighth-ranked Marquette.
The Friars are the second-lowest scoring team in the Big East, putting up just 69 points per game, and they might again be without their best player, Bryce Hopkins.
After making his debut on December 3 after needing ACL surgery, he tweaked his knee against DePaul and has missed the last three games. In the three games Hopkins has played, the 6-foot-7 senior forward has averaged 17 points and 7.7 rebounds.
The UConn Huskies are rolling, having won seven straight games, the latest an 81-68 beating of DePaul. However, what’s most notable is the ankle injury suffered by star freshman Liam McNeeley, which will have him shelved for weeks.
Three other players are scoring in double figures for UConn, including sophomore Solo Ball, who picked up the slack against DePaul, drilling seven triples en route to a game-high 22 points. With McNeeley out, head coach Dan Hurley is hoping to get major contributions from a pair of other sophomore forwards, Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross.
There’s not that level of support down the Providence roster. Other than Hopkins, only Jayden Pierre (12.6 ppg) and Bensley Joseph (11.3) are scoring in double figures.
UConn hasn’t been favored by these many points since its first four games of the season. The Huskies also have just one blowout win during this current win streak, and the 13-point win over DePaul was the only other double-digit W.
Providence vs UConn same-game parlay
UConn -15
UConn team total Under 83.5 points
The Huskies have taken care of business at home, going a perfect 7-0 and averaging 89.1 points per game in those wins.
However, the Friars have only let one team hang 80 on them in a game all year, an 89-73 loss to Indiana on November 29. They rank 44th in field goal defense and 52nd in 3-point shooting.
Part of that is Providence’s pace of play, which ranks 341st at KenPom. UConn isn’t exactly getting up and down the floor with pace either, as they are 323rd in tempo. They've also only topped 80 points twice over the last six games.
The Huskies’ second-ranked offensive efficiency will carry them to a win and cover, but the style of play will make it challenging to get to the 80-point plateau.
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Providence vs UConn odds
Providence vs UConn live odds
Providence vs UConn opening odds
- Spread: Providence +14.5 | UConn -14.5
- Moneyline: Providence +700 | UConn -1100
- Over/Under: Over 137 | Under 137
Odds courtesy of bet365
Providence vs UConn betting trend to know
UConn has won 27 straight home games against unranked opponents. Find more college basketball betting trends for Providence vs. UConn.
How to watch Providence vs UConn
| Location: | Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Connecticut |
| Date: | Sunday, 1-5-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBC |
Providence vs UConn key injuries
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