Last week the Connecticut Huskies made the semifinals of the Big East tournament. But UConn came up short to the Marquette Golden Eagles 70-68. The game was a great illustration of UConn’s season. Previously in the 2022-23 campaign, UConn reached the nation’s #1 ranking. Since that January peak, Connecticut dipped and took gamblers on a roller coaster ride. Still, the betting public appreciated UConn being a reliable board value. Also, Connecticut has the metrics that show a complete team. UConn could be a College Basketball lines sleeper in the NCAA Tournament.
Connecticut Huskies vs. Iona Gaels Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Friday, March 17, 2023, 4:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | MVP Arena, Albany, NY |
| TV Coverage: | TBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iona | +9½ (-110) | 143½ (-110) | +355 |  |
| Connecticut | -9½ (-110) | 143½ (-110) | -460 | |
| ||||
Connecticut vs. Iona SBG Odds Overview
Correlate that UConn had won six straight and nine of 10. In a sports betting loss to Marquette, UConn fell to 10-5 in Big East semifinal games. However, they are playing well heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Connecticut Huskies Team Overview
The UConn Huskies are 24-7 straight up, 20-10-1 against the spread, and 18-13 over/under the total. Overall, UConn has national metrics of 29th for scoring offense, 105th for field goal percentage, 105th for 3-point field goal percentage, 40th for free throw percentage, and 12th for offensive rebounding. While on defense, UConn is 43rd for scoring defense, 33rd for field goal percentage permitted, 14th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 6th for defensive rebounding.
UConn got the cash in five of its last six games. Also, The Huskies went under the total in six of their most recent eight outings. Adama Sanogo leads UConn with 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest. Connecticut finished 4th in the Big East standings, four games behind the league champion Marquette Golden Eagles. Last Friday, Tyler Kolek and David Joplin each scored 17 points, and the sixth-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles beat No. 11 UConn 70-68.
With three key players on the bench in foul trouble, the top-seeded Golden Eagles opened a four-point lead on a 3-pointer by Olivier-Maxence Prosper with 3:39 left. Subsequently, UConn had a chance to tie or win in the final 10 seconds. But coach Dan Hurley elected not to call a timeout as his team brought the ball across halfcourt. And then Jordan Hawkins missed badly on a contested, desperation three at the buzzer.
Marquette limited the fourth-seeded Huskies to two points over the final 3:50. And they kept UConn scoreless for the last 2 1/2 minutes. Marquette won for the first time in four semifinal appearances at the Big East Tournament since joining the league in 2005. Specifically, Adama Sanogo had 19 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Huskies.
Iona Gaels Team Overview
The Iona Gaels are 24-7 straight up, 18-13 against the spread, and 15-16 over/under the total. In sum, Iona has national metrics of 64th for scoring offense, 85th for field goal percentage, 92nd for 3-point field goal percentage, 133rd for free throw percentage, and 77th for offensive rebounding. While on defense, Iona is 64th for scoring defense, 39th for field goal percentage permitted, 11th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 210th for defensive rebounding.
Iona is best known for having Rick Pitino as its head coach. The Gaels won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship. Namely, Walter Clayton Jr. leads Iona with 16.9 points per game. Nelly Junior Joseph adds 9.4 rebounds per contest.
Connecticut vs. Iona SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Connecticut is the deeper team. The Huskies have provided good College basketball lines value this year.
Connecticut vs. Iona SBG Best Bet: Connecticut Huskies.