Connecticut Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie reached the pinnacle of his profession with a 2014 NCAA championship. However, since that moment of glory the Huskies program and Ollie have suffered a steep decline. UConn failed to make the Big Dance last year. They are now facing the prospect of a second consecutive losing season. Especially relevant is that Ollie’s team has also been one of the worst Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball values on the board. Meanwhile the Cincinnati Bearcats are one of the few boasts in a weak American Athletic Conference. And UC has been highly profitable at home.
Connecticut Huskies vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Date and Time: Thursday, February 22, 2018, 7 p.m. Eastern
Location: BB&T Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | +18 (-110) | 131½ (-110) |  |
| Cincinnati | -18 (-110) | 131½ (-110) | |
| |||
Huskies vs. Bearcats TV Coverage: ESPN
So far this season the Connecticut Huskies are 13-14 straight up. Versus the odds the Huskies are 8-16. In addition, on the road they are just 3-6 against Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball. Recently UConn is on a putrid stretch of two covers in their last ten games. Despite an 84-80 win at East Carolina they failed to cover as six point chalks. Over the total has paid in seven out of their last eight games. Additionally, the Huskies are 6-3 over the total away from home.
Most of all the offense has been dreadful for UConn. Hence the Huskies rank 304th in the nation for scoring. Furthermore, their mediocre defense ranks 174th. How much longer Ollie survives is an open debate. His program is now comprised of his own recruits. And it’s a terrible look.
Meanwhile the Cincinnati Bearcats are 23-4 straight up and 13-10-1 vs. the spread. At BB&T Arena the Bearcats are 7-4 vs. the spread. Over the total has paid in six of 11 Cincy home games. Recently the Bearcats have paid out in five of their last eight games. Also, of note is that the under has paid in five of UC’s last eight games. Visiting Wichita State upset Cincinnati 76-72 in their last game.
The strength of Cincinnati is a defense that ranks second in the country. In the American Athletic Conference standings, the Bearcats lead at 12-2 straight up. Houston and Wichita State are lurking right behind. Junior Jacob Evans leads the Bearcats with 14 points per game. Mick Cronin is in his 12th season as head coach of UC. He will lead the team to the Big Dance for the seventh straight year.
Head to head Cincinnati has had the online sportsbook edge against UConn. First of all, the Bearcats have paid in five out of their last seven vs. the Huskies. Three out of the last five in this series have gone over the total. Beyond that Cincy has covered three of their last four at home against Connecticut. Five of the last seven in this series at Cincinnati have gone under the number.
Matchup to Watch
Seems like Cincinnati has a strong home court edge with Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball. Furthermore, UConn has been a terrible road betting value. Most of all the anemic UConn offense should be mauled by the UConn defense. As a result, we have an ugly matchup combination.
Huskies vs. Bearcats NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
In conclusion there is nothing that can justify a Connecticut pick in this one. Cincinnati rates the call.
NCAA Betting Online Pick: Cincinnati Bearcats
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Bearcats 83, Huskies 61 Follow the recent news, highlights and interviews for March Madness. Keep up with contenders like Cincinnati there!