Providence Friars vs. UConn Huskies Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Providence Friars are looking to prove they can win on the road. Providence is a perfect 15-0 at home this season, but the Friars are just 5-7 away from home. One of those wins came against Rhode Island early in the season, so they are really 4-7 outside their home state. Their best road win so far has been against Seton Hall, as they lost to all the other top Big East teams away from home. That means a win over the Connecticut Huskies would be enormous, as UConn was one of the darlings of non-conference play.

We will see the Providence Friars head to the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut to take on the UConn Huskies on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET with the game broadcast on FS1.

Providence Friars vs. UConn Huskies Betting Prediction

In the first game between these teams, UConn's backcourt couldn't buy a bucket. The Huskies' six guards who saw action combined to make just 10 of 44 field goals, and they were 2 of 17 from beyond the three-point arc. That allowed Providence to cruise to a double-digit win, but UConn will be much better this time around. The Huskies are a top 20 team in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and they look like their old selves after losing six of eight games at one point.

Prediction: UConn 79, Providence 68
Best Bet: UConn -7.5 (-110)

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Providence Friars vs. UConn Huskies Betting Odds

Providence Friars vs. UConn Huskies Betting Resources

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023
TV-Time: FS1, 6:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Gampel Pavilion
Location: Storrs, Connecticut
Matchup
Expert Picks

Big East Tournament Odds

Providence Friars vs. UConn Huskies Betting Stats

Providence Friars
SU: 20-7
ATS: 17-10
O/U: 13-14
PPG: 78.9
OPPG: 69.6

UConn Huskies
SU: 20-7
ATS: 16-10-1
O/U: 16-11
PPG: 78
OPPG: 64.3

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS), Over-Under (O/U)
Points Per Game (PPG), Opponents Points Per Game (OPPG)

Updated on 04/26/2024

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Providence Friars Betting Analysis

A change of scenery has made a world of difference for Bryce Hopkins. He was a high four-star prospect that signed with Kentucky coming out of high school. Hopkins was unable to have much of an impact in Lexington, averaging just 2.1 PPG in 6.4 MPG as a freshman. However, he has blossomed in his first year at Providence, leading the Friars in scoring and rebounding with 16.9 PPG and 9.3 RPG. Hopkins is making 46.8% of his field goals and 39.3% of his threes, as he has become one of the top players in the Big East.

The only other solid three-point shooter on Providence is Noah Locke. He is knocking down 38.5% of his threes while averaging 11.1 PPG for the Friars. Devin Carter has been a marginal perimeter shooter, while Jared Bynum has been downright bad from beyond the arc.

Ed Croswell has been a solid contributor in the low post. Croswell is averaging 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG as a low post player that doesn't take threes. He is making 62.1% of his field goals, but he isn't a great free throw shooter although he gets to the charity stripe quite often. All the other rotation players on Providence are making at least 74% of their free throws.

UConn Huskies Betting Analysis

Although UConn is just 9-7 in Big East play, there is no doubt that the Huskies are one of the best teams in the country. They have non-conference victories over Oregon, Alabama, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Florida to their credit, and they've already beaten Creighton and Marquette at home. Ken Pomeroy's metrics love this team, and the Huskies are ranked in the top 20 on offense and defense according to his numbers.

Adama Sanogo is averaging 16.9 PPG and 7.3 RPG, leading the team in both points and rebounds. Sanogo is hitting 58.3% of his field goals and over 39% of his threes, so that forces big men to the perimeter in order to respect his range. UConn can be tough to match up against when Sanogo is on the floor with 7'2 freshman Donovan Clingan, as Clingan is averaging 7.4 PPG and 6.1 RPG. Those two players are a big reason why UConn ranks first nationally in offensive rebounding rate.

Jordan Hawkins and Alex Karaban are both solid three-point shooters. Hawkins is averaging 16.4 PPG as the second-leading scorer on UConn, and he is draining 39.2% of his treys. Karaban is averaging 9.5 PPG and hitting 39.7% of his threes, helping give the Huskies three good perimeter scorers. UConn does an excellent job passing the ball around to get open looks too, as 62.6% of the Huskies' field goals come off of assists.