After a tough start to the AAC schedule the Huskies are playing much better lately with wins in 6 of their last 7 games. This is a good team but they have not been very strong on the road this season. [ad-4468020]
Connecticut Huskies (17-4) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (21-2)
Thursday February 6
Fifth Third Arena – Cincinnati, OH
7:00PM
Moneyline: No moneyline currently listed
Spread: Cincinnati -5
Total: No total currently listed
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ATS Matchup Insight | CP Insider Gambling Preview
Connecticut
Their lack of size is still a major concern but when they play well they hang with anybody and makes teams look silly like they did on their 37 point rout of Houston last week. Oddly they have not played a game since then.
In the rout of the Cougars G Shabazz Napier had another one of his do everything games. He is kind of a marvel leading his team in scoring and assists…and rebounds despite being just 6’1”. The Huskies have a sleeping giant in Omar Calhoun who has seen his production plummet to half of his freshman totals. They need more from him because he also gives them a bit of extra size on the perimeter which they desperately need.
UConn has won and covered their last two road games including as an underdog at Memphis. A key to performing on the road is getting good guard play but are the Huskies ready to fight the Bearcats in what I expect will be a very physical game. It can be kind of tough when your team is receiving all the punishment.
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Cincinnati
There are few teams hotter than the Bearcats right now. They are on an amazing and somewhat surprising run going from maybe contender to lead dog in the AAC. This is a tough team that plays tremendous defense. No surprise there but what has been a pleasant development is how players other than Sean Kilpatrick have stepped up. Preseason I thought they would need him to lead the nation in scoring. They don’t and are better for it.
Kilpatrick has held up his end of the bargain leading the team in scoring while Justin Jackson has become a reliable contributor as well. He doesn’t always look for his offense but he should because he is the most efficient scorer on the team. If they could develop a third scorer than I think they could really be a title contender but it is hard to argue with their results of late. Great defense gives them a lot of margin for error.
Against the number the Bearcats are two stories, 7-2 ATS at home and 2-5 ATS on the road. This team has proven they have to grit to beat anybody but the higher the number goes the less I like them. The current number on this one is about as high as I would go so bet it now if you like it a lot.
Spread Prediction: Cincinnati -5
Totals Prediction: N/A
Score Prediction: Cincinnati 67 – Connecticut 60
