The UConn Huskies take on the Xavier Musketeers in Cincinnati, OH. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Xavier is favored by 2 points on the spread with a moneyline of -135. The total is set at 143 points.
Here are my UConn vs. Xavier predictions and college basketball picks for January 25, 2025.
UConn vs Xavier Odds
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -115 | 141 -110 / -110 | +105 |
| Xavier Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -105 | 141 -110 / -110 | -125 |
- UConn vs Xavier spread: Xavier -1.5
- UConn vs Xavier over/under: 141 points
- UConn vs Xavier moneyline: Xavier -125, UConn +105
- UConn vs Xavier best bet: Xavier -1.5 (Play to -2)
My UConn vs Xavier best bet is on the Musketeers spread, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, find the best lines using our live NCAAB odds page.
My UConn vs Xavier NCAAB Betting Preview
I want to propose something controversial and potentially hazardous.
I think UConn may be a bad basketball team.
The Huskies’ “marquee” wins have fallen apart. Am I supposed to be impressed that they snuck by Gonzaga and Baylor? Those teams are in freefall — I just watched Baylor have to come back from down 10 points against Dug McDaniel and Coleman Hawkins.
I’m not impressed — at all.
I think people are starting to catch on to this, mainly because Dan Hurley will draw so much attention to himself. Since Liam McNeeley went down with an injury, UConn ranks 59th nationally in Bart Torvik’s adjusted efficiency metric.
Meanwhile, Xavier ranks 32nd during that same stretch. The Musketeers have been playing much better lately.
It’s also an excellent spot to back them after their meltdown against St. John’s earlier this week. The Musketeers dominated the Red Storm before the collapse and likely should’ve won the game. They should be fired up in a bounce-back spot.
If you’re looking for free points in the game, Xavier gets to the charity stripe at will, ranking 50th nationally in free-throw rate. Hurley has been constantly complaining about officiating, but the truth is that the Huskies don’t have anyone who can stop dribble penetration or defend the perimeter, so they’re forced to foul.
I love this spot, and I think Xavier is a much better team, especially at home.
Maybe this is when the entire college basketball world discovers that my hypothesis may be true.
Pick: Xavier -1.5 (Play to -2)
