Connecticut vs Texas Game Information

Connecticut vs Texas Preview

Two-time defending national champions and No. 25 Connecticut (6-3, 0-0 on Road) head to the Texas capital to battle Texas (7-1, 4-0 at Home) in this great Big East-SEC matchup on Sunday afternoon. This is the Longhorns first season playing in the SEC after being in the Big 12 Conference for so long. After suffering a surprising 3-game losing streak to Memphis (99-97, OT), Colorado (73-72), and Dayton (85-67), the Huskies have won their last 2 games, topping UMES (99-45) and Baylor (76-72), The Longhorns lost their first game of the season to Ohio State (80-72), but Texas has bounced back to win 7 in a row, but against some weaker competition in Houston Christian (90-59), Chicago State (105-58), Mississippi Valley State (89-43), Syracuse (70-66), Saint Joseph’s (67-58), Delaware State (90-68), and NC State (63-59). Both of these teams will end up higher in the rankings than where they are right now.

Connecticut in Big Early Season Rodeo Here

No. 25 Connecticut (5-4-0 ATS, 5-4-0 O/U) was not only the best team in the land the last 2 seasons, but the Huskies have also been an incredible Side to bet on, and knowing they had a big burp in late November should mean backing this team again may be prudent. But is this the right spot and will they be Underdogs? Who knows and yes. Connecticut is not the same team as last year, losing its four top scorers as Stephon Castle (Spurs), Tristen Newton (Pacers), and Cam Spencer (Grizzlies) all headed to the NBA. Now Alex Karaban (15.9 ppg), Liam McNeeley (13.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Solo Ball (12.6 ppg), Tarris Reed Jr. (10.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg), Hasaan Diarra (8.2 ppg), Samson Johnson (7.2 ppg), Jaylin Stewart (6.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg), Jayden Ross (5.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg), and Saint Mary’s transfer Aidan Mahaney (5.4 ppg), give Head Coach Danny Hurley a new team to mold as he looks to make a run at a third straight national title but this team isn’t quite as talented or athletic.

Connecticut Betting Trends

• Connecticut has played 5 straight Overs after 11 straight Unders
• The Huskies are 59-27-1 ATS over their last 87 (68.6%)
• This is UConn’s first true Road game this season
• UConn is 19-3 SU in its last 22 games overall
• The Huskies are 12-0 SU/ATS in their last 12 games in the Big Dance

Texas Faces Tall Task in Defending NCAA Champs

Unranked Home Favorites Texas (4-4-0 ATS, 3-5-0 O/U) are led by stud G Tre Johnson (20.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg), F Arthur Kaluma (13.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg), F Kadin Shedrick (10.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg), G Tramon Mark (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), G Jordan Pope (8.5 ppg), G Julian Larry (7.3 ppg), and G Chendal Weaver (7.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and will look to make another NCAA Tournament appearance. The Longhorns average 80.8 ppg (Tied-#62) while allowing 61.4 ppg and average 37.3 Rebounds Per Game and 14.4 Assists Per game (Tied-#176). This will be a big test for the Longhorns, but the Home Site  should make it easier and many opponents have gotten easy baskets vs Connecticut this season, unlike the last two seasons.

Texas Betting Trends

• Texas is 9-13 ATS in its last 22 Home games (-5.35 Units, -24% ROI)
• The Under is 7-3-0 in the last 10 Texas games
• The Under is 15-20-0 in the last 35 Texas games (-5.80 Units, -15% ROI)
• The Under/Over have alternated the last 5 Texas Home games (UOUOU)
• Texas is 1-4 SU/ATS the last 5 meetings with Connecticut 

Connecticut vs Texas Prediction

With Johnson, the Longhorns may have the best player on the court on Sunday, but can Texas get enough production from guys like Kaluma and Shedrick to beat a team as disciplined as the Huskies? What hurts the hosts cause here is that UConn already had a nasty week where it hit a patch of black ice (losing 3 straight) and was humbled after looking invincible for so long. The Huskies plummeted from No. 2 in the polls to their current spot at No. 24, so there will be no complacency from the visitors. This Connecticut vs Texas NCAAB pick will stick with Karaban and the Big East giants, who are 3-0 SU/ATS in their 3 trips to Austin (82-81, 71-66, and 81-71). The Huskies rank a respectable No. 11 in Division I in Effective Field Goal Percentage (59.0%) while Johnson and Texas check in at No. 46 (56.2%).

Kevin’s Pick: Connecticut +1.5