Xavier Musketeers vs UConn Huskies Prediction, 12/18/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Xavier Musketeers vs UConn Huskies

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Location: Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT

TV: ESPN+

The UConn Huskies (8-3) are welcoming the Xavier Musketeers (8-3) at Gampel Pavilion on Wednesday.

The Xavier Musketeers faced Cincinnati and ended up losing by a score of 68-65 in their last game. In reference to fouls, the Musketeers ended up with 20 while Cincinnati totaled 16 fouls. They knocked down 5 of their 20 shots from beyond the arc. Cincinnati shot 73.1% from the charity stripe by burying 19 of their 26 attempts. Moreover, Cincinnati grabbed 34 rebounds (10 offensive, 24 defensive), but wasn't able to record a block. Cincinnati dished out 13 dimes and had 9 steals for the matchup. With regard to the defense, Xavier allowed their opponent to shoot 37.9% from the floor on 22 out of 58 shooting. They also doled out 13 dimes for the matchup while forcing the other team into 9 turnovers and earning 7 steals. Regarding pulling down rebounds, they compiled a total of 33 with 7 of them being offensive. At the free throw line, the Musketeers knocked down 15 of 17 attempts for a rate of 88.2%. Xavier wrapped up the contest with a 37.9% field goal percentage (22 of 58) and buried 6 of 19 shots from beyond the perimeter.

Zach Freemantle is one guy who played a role for this contest. He walked away with 18 points on 6 of 16 shooting. He played 35 minutes played and grabbed 7 boards. He shot 37.5% from the field and also distributed 4 assists.

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Xavier comes into this contest with a win-loss mark of 8-3 so far this season. They are losing possession via turnover 11.6 times per game and as a unit they are committing 16.3 fouls every game. As a unit, Xavier is pulling down 37.2 rebounds per game and has racked up 202 dimes on the year, which has them ranked 12th in the country in terms of passing the rock. The Musketeers are shooting 39.4% on three-point attempts (97 of 246) and 77.8% from the free throw line. They average 79.6 pts per game (98th in the nation) while connecting on 46.7% from the field.

On defense, the Musketeers are forcing their opponents into 12.5 turnovers on a nightly basis while drawing 18.5 personal fouls. They are ranked 223rd in Division 1 in giving up assists with 145 conceded on the year. The Musketeers defensively are giving up a field goal percentage of 41.6% (261 of 627) and they surrender 31.3 rebounds per game as a unit. They give up 35.4% on shots from beyond the perimeter while they are 84th in college in points per game allowed (66.8).

The last time they took the hardwood, the UConn Huskies got the victory with a final of 77-71 when they played Gonzaga. The Huskies were able to snag 26 defensive rebounds and 7 offensive rebounds for a total of 33 in this contest. They also turned it over 7 times, while getting 4 steals in this matchup. Gonzaga committed 17 personal fouls for this contest which got the Huskies to the charity stripe for 21 shots. They were able to knock down 18 of the free throws for a rate of 85.7%. In terms of shots from beyond the perimeter, UConn converted 5 out of 24 attempts (20.8%). When the final whistle blew, the Huskies finished shooting 27 for 59 from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 45.8%. The Huskies allowed Gonzaga to make 25 out of their 57 attempts from the field which left them with a shooting percentage of 43.9% for this contest. They wrapped up this game 37.5% from distance by going 6 out of 16 and finished the contest at 15 of 19 from the charity stripe (78.9%). In the matter of team rebounding, UConn permitted Gonzaga to grab 28 in total (6 on the offensive glass).

Liam McNeeley ended up being a factor for the Huskies for this contest. He made 7 of 13 in the game giving him a rate of 53.8%, and added 8 rebounds. He earned 26 points in his 37 mins on the court and accounted for 4 assists in this game.

UConn has a win-loss mark of 8-3 for the year. The Huskies have committed 19.6 personal fouls every game and they hit 77.1% from the charity stripe. They are earning an assist 19.8 times per game (6th in the nation) and they are turning it over 10.2 times per contest. UConn has totaled 919 pts for the year (83.5 per contest) and they average 37.3 rebounds per contest. As an offensive team, the Huskies are shooting 50.0% from the floor, which ranks 20th in the nation.

The UConn defense allows 37.3% on three-point shots (69 of 185) and their opponents are making 69.2% of their shots from the free throw line. They have conceded 9.2 dimes and 29.1 rebounds every game, which ranks 10th and 7th in college hoops. The Huskies on the defensive end are ranked 42nd in D-1 in points allowed per contest with 64.9. They are forcing their opponents into 12.4 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 40.7% from the field (83rd in college).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Xavier

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