Connecticut vs. Georgetown Prediction: CBB Picks & Betting Preview

Connecticut Huskies (12-4 SU, 8-8 ATS) vs. Georgetown Hoyas (12-3 SU, 9-6 ATS)

When: Saturday, January 11th, 2:00 PM (ET)

Where: Capital One Arena, DC, Washington

TV: FOX

Point Spread: UCONN -4.5/GEORGE +4.5

Total: 142.5

Money Line: Connecticut Huskies -195/+158

Notable Injuries

Huskies

• Liam McNeeley (Out) Ankle

Hoyas

• Julius Halaifonua (Out) Ankle

Recent Form

Connecticut fell to 12-4 on the season after a 68-66 road loss to Villanova on January 8th. The Huskies entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs and did not cover the spread. The total points for the game were 134, falling short of the 143.5 O/U line.

After trailing 32-25 at halftime, Connecticut rallied in the 2nd half, outscoring Villanova 41-36, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Georgetown fell to 12-3 on the season after a 74-66 loss to Marquette on Tuesday. Despite being +13.5 point underdogs, the Hoyas kept it closer than expected. The combined points of 140 fell just short of the 144.5 O/U line.

Georgetown led 38-29 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half, scoring only 28 points while allowing 45.

Analysis

In their latest game, the Huskies put up 66 points, shooting 54% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 64%. They hit 73.9% of their two-point attempts while connecting on 37% from beyond the arc, making 10 of 27 three-point shots. Their free-throw shooting was limited, going 2 for four at the line.

Hassan Diarra dished out nine assists, and the team totaled 23 assists overall. Diarra also shot 80% from the field, hitting his only three-point attempt. Wooga Poplar contributed 18 points, shooting 60% from the field and 50% from three-point range.

Connecticut’s defense gave up 68 points, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field, hitting 24 of their 55 attempts. Inside the arc, they shot 45%, making 16 of 35 two-point shots.

From three-point range, the opposition connected on 8 of 20 attempts, shooting 40%. They also went to the free-throw line 13 times, converting 12 for a 92% success rate. Connecticut allowed seven offensive rebounds.

Chase Ross led Georgetown with 27 points, shooting 58.3% from the field and 66.7% from three-point range (4/6) in their last game. Malik Mack contributed 18 points and five assists, hitting 3 of 7 from beyond the arc.

The Hoyas shot 43.6% overall, with an effective field goal percentage of 50.9%. They connected on 42.1% of their threes (8/19) and 83.3% of their free throws (10/12) while grabbing 10 offensive rebounds and dishing out 13 assists.

Georgetown’s defense held their opponent to 74 points on 35% shooting from the field, including 34% from two-point range (12/35). However, they allowed nine threes on 24 attempts, a 37% clip.

The Hoyas sent their opponent to the line 27 times, where they converted 23 free throws (85%). Georgetown also gave up 12 offensive rebounds.

Betting Trends

• When looking at their past ten road matchups, Connecticut has an ATS record of 5-5 while averaging 75 per game. The team went 6-4 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past five home matchups, Georgetown has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 63 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
• Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Hoyas have gone 2-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-2.
• The last ten games that Connecticut was favored, they’ve recorded an ATS mark of 3-7 while going 7-3 straight up.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Georgetown has been one of the more surprising stories in the Big East so far, as they have already surpassed their win total in the conference from last year. The Hoyas lost to Marquette earlier this week but outplayed Marquette for much of the game. I see the Hoyas getting up for this chance to take down a Huskies squad that has been inconsistent this year. I like Georgetown +4.5 at home.