Connecticut (12-3) at Villanova (10-5)
- When: Jan 8 2025, 6:30 PM
- Where: The William B. Finneran Pavilion, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
- Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
The No. 9 UConn Huskies are riding an eight-game winning streak and are tied for first place in the Big East. However, many of their victories have been nail-biters, with five wins coming by six points or fewer. As they head to Villanova to face the Wildcats on Wednesday night, the Huskies will likely have to dig deep once again.
UConn (12-3, 4-0 Big East) narrowly escaped with an 87-84 home win over Providence last Sunday after trailing by 14 points early in the second half. Coach Dan Hurley acknowledged how close they came to slipping up.
“We cheated death in this one,” Hurley said. “We’ve got to learn how to close out these games better.”
After a rough showing at the Maui Invitational in November, where UConn lost three close games, the Huskies regained their composure with impressive wins over ranked teams Baylor and Gonzaga. However, close calls against weaker Big East opponents like Providence, Xavier, and Butler have raised concerns.
The absence of second-leading scorer Liam McNeeley (13.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg) due to a high ankle sprain has forced UConn to lean even more on Alex Karaban (16.3 ppg) and point guard Hassan Diarra. Diarra was clutch against Providence, dropping a career-high 19 points and dishing eight assists.
“The game was about Hassan’s will to win,” Hurley said. “He refused to let us lose.”
Villanova (10-5, 3-1) is also surging, having won seven of its last eight games. The Wildcats’ offense was on fire in their 100-56 rout of DePaul, where Eric Dixon, the nation’s top scorer, posted 25 points. Jordan Longino stole the show from beyond the arc, making all five of his three-point attempts en route to a 19-point performance. Wooga Poplar added 17 points on 3-for-3 from deep, and Jhamir Brickus contributed an 11-point, 11-assist double-double, going 3-for-4 from long range.
Villanova’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc (41.5 percent, second in the nation) has fueled their resurgence after a slow 3-4 start. This year’s Wildcats are playing with a more offensive focus compared to previous defensively-minded squads under coach Kyle Neptune.
“Each team has its own identity, even if the roster is similar,” Neptune said. “This team thrives on its offensive strengths.”
Betting Prediction:
Despite UConn’s recent dominance in the series—winning the last four matchups—Villanova’s offensive firepower and home-court advantage make this a tough matchup for the Huskies. Without McNeeley, UConn’s depth is thinner, making it harder to pull away late.
Villanova’s ability to hit from three could exploit UConn’s defense, especially if the Huskies struggle in transition defense. However, UConn’s grit and history of pulling out close wins can’t be overlooked.
Prediction: Take Villanova -1 at home in what should be a tightly contested game, with the over 146.5 points also in play due to both teams’ offensive capabilities. Expect a close battle, but Villanova’s three-point shooting and recent form should give them the edge.
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
