The Xavier Musketeers welcome the No. 19 UConn Huskies to the Cintas Center tonight.
The Huskies are the two-time defending national champions, but they're going through a rough stretch, and my UConn vs. Xavier, expect their struggles to continue.
Here are my free college basketball picks for this Big East showdown on January 25.
UConn vs Xavier prediction
My best bet
Xavier moneyline (-125 at bet365)
My analysis
It's been an up-and-down season for the UConn Huskies, who lost four starters from last year's national title-winning squad.
While they appeared to be gelling in December, that chemistry took a hit when Liam McNeeley (13.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg) injured his ankle on New Year's Day. The star freshman is a Swiss Army knife, and his absence has been felt on both ends of the floor, with UConn going 1-4 against the spread since the injury.
The Huskies have lost two of their last four games. While they are coming off a victory, it was far from impressive. They were pushed into overtime at home by a Butler squad that had lost nine of its previous 10 games.
Now they go on the road to face the Xavier Musketeers, who are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games. They arguably deserved to cover in their previous game since they went into OT as seven-point road dogs against No. 20 St. John's but ended up losing by eight points due to free throws.
Before that, Xavier upset No. 10 Marquette on the road. The Musketeers are better than their record suggests and have been strong on both ends of the floor.
They're 39th in the country in adjusted defense per KenPom while ranking 23rd in half-court defense at ShotQualityBets. On offense, they shoot a sizzling 41.5% from deep at home and should be able to torch a UConn side 340th in opponent 3-point percentage (37.4%).
When these teams clashed in Connecticut last month, they pushed the Huskies into OT despite missing their leading scorer in Zach Freemantle (16.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg). With home-court advantage swapped for this rematch and Freemantle back in the lineup, the Musketeers are the side here.
UConn vs Xavier same-game parlay (SGP)
Xavier moneyline
Ryan Conwell Over 16.5 points
Solo Ball Over 14.5 points
With the Huskies struggling to defend the arc, Xavier shooting guard Ryan Conwell should have a big night. The sharpshooter averages 16.7 ppg and knocks down 3.1 threes per game at a 39.6% clip.
Solo Ball is coming off a 23-point performance against Butler and has now scored 15+ points in six straight games. He also dropped 22 points on 6-for-17 shooting when these teams previously clashed on December 18.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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UConn vs Xavier odds
UConn vs Xavier live odds
UConn vs Xavier opening odds
- Spread: UConn +2 | Xavier -2
- Moneyline: UConn +110 | Xavier -130
- Over/Under: Over 143 | Under 143
Odds courtesy of bet365
UConn vs Xavier betting trend to know
The Huskies are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games. Find more college basketball betting trends for UConn vs. Xavier.
How to watch UConn vs Xavier
| Location | Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH |
| Date | Saturday, 1-25-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
UConn vs Xavier key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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