Northwestern Next Hurdle in UConn’s Quest for Back-to-Back Titles
UConn vs Northwestern Betting Lines: Huskies 14.5-Point Favorites
Top-seeded UConn will take the next step in its quest for back-to-back national championships when it faces ninth-seeded Northwestern in the second round of the East Regional on Sunday (7:45 p.m. ET) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
UConn is a 14.5-point favorite at -108 odds and -1200 on the moneyline, with Northwestern priced +750 to pull off the upset. Meanwhile, the Over/Under is 135.5, with a slight edge to the Over at -112 odds.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both college basketball teams and assess the UConn vs Northwestern betting lines in our college basketball game preview.
NCAA Second Round: East Region
Huskies vs Wildcats 
Date & Time:
Location: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, N.Y.
Streaming: truTV
UConn vs Northwestern Betting Trends
The Northwestern Wildcats are 18-13-2 ATS, including 7-2 over their last nine games. Northwestern’s games have trended toward the Over, as it is 18-14-1 against the Over/Under. Meanwhile, the UConn Huskies are 23-12 ATS, including 7-1 over their last eight games. As for the Over/Under, UConn is 16-18-1.
Be sure to remember these trends when assessing the UConn vs Northwestern betting lines.
Survive and Advance
Northwestern is on to the second round for the second straight year after edging eighth-seeded Florida Atlantic 77-65 in overtime. The ninth-seeded Wildcats — 4.5-point underdogs — got 27 points from Ryan Langborg and 22 points from Boo Buie to improve to 22-11.
The Wildcats received an at-large bid thanks to a 12-8 record in the Big Ten and strong peripheral NCAAB rankings: No. 39 KenPom, No. 53 NET. Prior to beating FAU, they’d lost three of their last four games, including 70-61 to Wisconsin in the Big Ten quarterfinals.
Ranked 33rd nationally in offensive efficiency, the Wildcats tend to play through Buie, a fifth-year senior averaging 19.3 points and 5.1 assists. They are 340th in tempo, meaning most of their production comes from the halfcourt.
The Wildcats are 2-3 against ranked teams this season, including a 92-88 overtime victory over then-No. 1 Purdue on Dec. 1. As an underdog, they are 8-6 ATS and 6-8 OU. That’s important to remember when analyzing the UConn vs Northwestern betting lines.
Top Dogs
UConn, the No. 1 overall seed and reigning NCAA Tournament winners, coasted to a 91-52 victory over 16th-seeded Stetson. The Huskies — 26.5-point favorites — got 19 points and eight rebounds from Donovan Clingan. The 7-foot-2 sophomore was one of five starters to score in double figures.
The Huskies have an impeccable resume, highlighted by a 32-3 record and No. 1 KenPom rating. They have won eight straight NCAAB games, including a 73-57 victory over Marquette in the Big East final.
Averaging 81.7 points, the Huskies have the country’s most efficient offense and are 11th defensively. They are led by Tristen Newton, an AP First Team All-American averaging 15.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
The Huskies have been favored in nearly every game this NCAAB season, except for a 69-65 loss to Kansas on Dec. 1. As a double-digit favorite, the Huskies are 12-7 ATS and 19-0 OU. Their only other losses came in Big East play against Seton Hall and Creighton.
Handicapping the Game
UConn has covered in seven NCAA Tournament games dating to a first-round loss to New Mexico State in 2022. It is 6-1 as a double-digit favorite since the beginning of February.
Stopping Newton, one of the best college basketball players, will be a priority for Northwestern. But the Wildcats must also contend with the 7-2 Clingan, who is averaging 12.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.
Northwestern has held its own against ranked opponents this season, but UConn is on a different level. Dan Hurley’s team is deeper and more talented and has the built-in advantage of playing reasonably close to home in New York. The Huskies’ raucous fan base will make things uncomfortable for Northwestern.
Book the Huskies’ ticket to the Sweet 16.
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