Gonzaga vs. UConn: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Two-time defending national champion and No. 18 UCONN, which is back on track with three straight wins, travels to its home away from home, Madison Square Garden, this evening. There, it will host eighth-ranked Gonzaga in a prime non-conference matchup.  

The Huskies are 7-3 this season, already losing as many games as they did in last year’s 37-3 championship campaign. The team dropped three straight at the Maui Invitational, losing to Memphis, Colorado, and Dayton, before recovering with three straight victories, the last two over then-No. 15 Baylor and at Texas.

Alex Karaban led Connecticut with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the win over the Longhorns. Solo Ball had 16, followed by Samson Johnson and Taris Reed Jr. with 12 points apiece, and Hassan Diarra with 11 assists. 

The Bulldogs dropped a 90-89 overtime thriller to then-No. 4 Kentucky in the Battle in Seattle a week ago to fall to 7-2. Graham Ike had 28 points and 11 rebounds while Ryan Nembhard contributed 13 points and 10 assists.

Gonzaga was playing its first game since returning from the Bahamas, where it finished in fifth place in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Coach Mark Few’s squad dropped an 86-78 overtime decision to West Virginia in their opening matchup, before coming back with an 89-73 victory over then-No. 14 Indiana and a 90-65 shellacking of Davidson.

UCONN leads this series 5-2, including a 76-63 victory last season and a dominating 82-54 win in a 2023 Elite Eight clash.

Gonzaga vs. UConn betting picks and predictions

UConn +2.0 (-110)

The Huskies looked vulnerable for the first time in a long while, as coach Danny Hurley’s squad saw its 17-game win streak snapped during a miserable showing in Maui.

However, they have bounced back with three straight wins leading in to this contest and now look to humble another premier opponent. The game is a pseudo home contest for Connecticut, which has won six straight at Madison Square Garden, including last year’s Big East Tournament championship. 

Alex Karaban leads the Huskies with 16.5 points and two blocks per game. Ball (12.9 ppg), freshman Liam McNeeley (12.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg), and Reed Jr. (11 ppg, team-high 8.2 rebounds per game) have been consistent factors as well.

The team is averaging more than 84 points a game and is shooting better than 50% from the field and 36% from the three-point line. UCONN is 6-3 against the spread as favorites and 0-3 ATS on neutral courts so far this season. 

The Zags opened the season with authority, pounding then-No. 8 Baylor by 38 points in a 101-63 victory. The team is 2-1 against ranked squads. The only current ranked opponent left on the Zags’ schedule is No. 24 UCLA at the end of the month, so a win here would be huge for their NCAA tournament seeding. 

As usual, Mark Few has blended veterans with talented freshmen and a few key transfers to keep the team in its customary Top-10 perch. Six players are averaging between 10-and-15 points, led by veteran Ike with 15.3 points, to go with seven rebounds a game.

Ryan Nembhard is leading the country with 10.7 assists a game, to go with 10.9 points. Khalif Battle is going for 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, followed by Braden Huff (12.2 ppg), Nolan Hickman (11.2 ppg) and fifth-year man Ben Gregg (10 ppg). Gonzaga is averaging just more than 90 points a contest. 

Gonzaga is 6-3 against the spread this season, including 3-2 ATS on a neutral court. UCONN is 6-4 ATS this season, including 0-3 on a neutral court. But this hardly feels like one, and the Huskies are already 1-0 against the spread as an underdog this season. 

Connecticut are expected to take advantage of the homey setting and get the job done in primetime. Look for the Huskies to win and cover the two-point spread as dogs.   

Over 152.5 total points (-110)

Both teams are adept at scoring bunches and feature numerous scoring options both inside and outside. Gonzaga has played to the over seven times in nine games, including all five contests they have played on neutral courts. Connecticut’s three games on neutral courts have all gone to the over so far this season as well.

Look for the two teams to live up to the standards of “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” and put forth a combined offensive explosion tonight and play to the over.   

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NCAAB on site.

Gonzaga vs. UConn odds

Gonzaga	-150
UConn	+125
Spread	Gonzaga -2.0
Total Points	O/U 152.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.