March Madness Round 1: UConn vs Stetson Analysis & Score
UConn vs Stetson Analysis: Huskies Overwhelming -26.5 Favorites
UConn vs Stetson Final Score
UConn vs Stetson Analysis
UConn will move on to the next stage of its chase for back-to-back NCAA titles when it faces Stetson on Friday (2:50 p.m. ET) in the first round of the East Regional.
The top-seeded Huskies are 26.5-point favorites at -112 odds and -8000 to win outright, with the No. 16 seed Hatters priced +2200 to pull off the upset. Meanwhile, the projected total is 145.5, with a slight lean to the Over at -112.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both NCAAB teams and assess the odds in our Stetson vs UConn analysis preview.
NCAA First Round
UConn vs Stetson 
Location: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, N.Y.
Day/Time:
Streaming: CBS
UConn vs Stetson Betting Trends
The Stetson Hatters are 16-15 ATS, but just 3-5 over their last eight games. As for the Over/Under, the Hatters are 13-17-1. Meanwhile, the UConn Huskies are 22-12 ATS, including 6-1 over their last seven games. The Huskies’ games have trended toward the Under, as they are 16-17-1 against the Over/Under.
Be sure to remember these betting trends when assessing our Stetson vs UConn analysis.
New to the Party
Stetson will be making its first-ever appearance in the Big Dance after winning the Atlantic Sun Tournament at +300. The Hatters (22-12, 11-5) beat Austin Peay 94-91 in the conference final to earn an automatic bid.
Ranking 100th in adjusted offensive efficiency, the Hatters average a tick over 77 points per game. Jalen Blackmon (21.5 PPG) is clearly their top threat and can score from practically anywhere. He shot 43.4% from the field and 38.9% from 3. Stephan Swenson, Aubin Gateretse, and Alec Oglesby make up Blackmon’s supporting cast.
As a low-major team, Stetson’s resume is relatively underwhelming. The Hatters are ranked 209th in the NET and 218th in KenPom. Their best non-conference win was an 85-82 victory over UCF.
Stetson’s 342nd-ranked defense is a glaring weakness, one that UConn should exploit with ease. The Hatters are allowing an average of 72.8 points and thrice gave up 85 or more.
As an underdog this season, Stetson is 8-6 ATS and 6-8 OU. Keep that in mind when analyzing our Stetson vs UConn analysis.
UConn Poised to Do it Again
Can UConn run it back? The defending national champions secured the No. 1 overall seed by blitzing the field at the Big East Conference Tournament, beating Xavier, St. John’s and Marquette in succession to cash in at -150.
Oddsmakers are bullish on the Huskies, pricing them +105 to win the East Regional and +360 favorites to repeat. Fellow No. 1 seeds Houston (+550) and Purdue (+700) have the next-best odds.
UConn is 31-3 (18-2), a winner of seven straight NCAA men’s basketball games since a Feb. 20 loss to Creighton. It has beaten opponents by an average of 16.1 points during that streak, a shade under its season average of 17.0. Across Division I, only McNeese (plus-18.9) has a larger points differential.
The Huskies are loaded offensively, led by an AP First Team All-American at point guard in Tristen Newton. The fifth-year senior is averaging 15.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists to go with a pair of triple-doubles this season.
Dan Hurley’s team is ranked first in adjusted offensive efficiency and 11th in adjusted defensive efficiency, showing the necessary balance to challenge for another title.
The Huskies have been favored all but once this year, including 10 times by at least 20 points. They are 5-5 ATS and 10-0 OU in those games. That’s something to consider when making your NCAAB picks today.
Handicapping the Game
Stetson did well to win the Atlantic Sun, but this is where the fun ends. UConn has way too much talent for the Hatters to stand a chance.
The Hatters’ defensive issues will only worsen when stacked against the high-powered Huskies, who average over 80 points a game.
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