(4) Pitt at (1) UConn – HUGE Implications
Calhoun’s Red-Hot Huskies Host Dixon’s Streaking Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers (23-2 SU, 12-6-1 ATS, 10-9 O/U) rolled to an easy 85-69 win over Cincinnati on Saturday, but failed to cover the spread fro BetUS NCAA college basketball sports betting enthusiasts as a 15.5-point home favorite in the BetUS Sportsbook while the game’s posted O/U total sailed OVER the total of 136.5 points.
Senior forward Sam Young scored a game-high 18 points while senior point guard Levance Fields added 11 points and 13 assists and sophomore forward DeJuan Blair added 17 points in that win.
7-3 junior center Hasheem Thabeet scored a game-high 25 points and pulled down a whopping 20 rebounds for top-ranked Connecticut on Saturday, as they defeated Seton Hall 62-54.
The Huskies covered the 9.5-point spread on the road, while the game’s combined 116 points played UNDER the posted O/U total of 145 points.
Senior forward Jeff Adrien was the only other UConn player to reach double figures in scoring, adding a double-double with 14 points and 15 boards in that win.
Connecticut shot a poor 38.6 percent from the field but limited Seton Hall to just 31.2 percent shooting from the field.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NCAAB Free Pick:
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 10 games when playing Connecticut
Connecticut is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Connecticut is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Connecticut is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Connecticut’s last 7 games
NCAAB Odds
Pittsburgh +3½ -110
Connecticut -3½ -110
Over 135½ -110
Under 135½ -110
Analysis: While the Pittsburgh Panthers are undeniably one of the best teams in the nation, I just don’t see them marching onto UConn’s home floor tonight and walking out victorious. The fact of the matter is that the Huskies are arguably the best defensive team in the nation. While this contest has all the makings of a classic, last-second possession type of game, I say the Huskies win this highly-anticipated matchup and cover the spread narrowly fueled by the raw emotion of their home fans.
