Top ranked Connecticut will try to strengthen its grip on first place in the Big East tonight when they take on second place Pittsburgh. The Panthers, however, can close to within a half game of the streaking Huskies with a win this evening. The big conference battle is set to tip off at 7:00pm ET at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. It can be seen live on ESPN's Big Monday.
Pittsburgh vs Connecticut College Basketball Picks at online bookmaker BetUS.com are favoring the Huskies -3.5 against the spread.
UConn, ranked number one in the AP Poll, is now 24-1 on the season and 12-1 in Big East action. Their only loss this year occurred against Georgetown in the conference opener on December 29th. Since that defeat, the Huskies have won 13 games in a row, including a Valentine's Day affair with Seton Hall at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The match-up with the Pirates was Connecticut's second game without the injured Jerome Dyson. His absence was felt in the 62-54 win, but center Hasheem Thabeet proved to be more than the Hall could overcome. The junior absolutely dominated the paint, pouring in 25 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, and blocking nine shots. The Pirates shot just 31.2 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from beyond the arc against the Huskies smothering defense.
In UConn's 13 game win streak, they have allowed over 61 points just two times and they have held opponents to an average of 58.5 points per game.
Jim Calhoun's team is 11-1 in home games this season; they average 80.5 per contest between the XL Center and Gampel Pavilion and they have held visitors to an average of 59.1.
Pittsburgh enters tonight's tilt on a five game win streak after having dispatched the Cincinnati Bearcats 85-69 on Saturday at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The victory moved the Panthers overall record to 23-2 and their conference mark to 10-2. Senior guard Levance Fields helped his squad gain a 21-13 edge in the assist department by dishing out a game high 13. He also dropped in 11 points, making him one of five Pitt players to reach double figures in scoring.
The Panthers shot an amazing 67.4 percent (31-of-46) from the field against the Bearcats defense. Forward Sam Young, the team's leading scorer, connected on 7-of-9 field goals and hit his lone three point attempt to lead the team with 18 points.
Fourth ranked Pittsburgh is 5-2 on the road this season, their losses coming against Big East rivals Louisville and Villanova. They are averaging 70.7 points per game — almost eight points fewer than their season average — in opposing arenas while limiting host squads to an average of 63.7.
BetUS.com's Pittsburgh vs Connecticut College Basketball Picks:
Pittsburgh Panthers +3.5 (-110), Over 135.5 (-110), +145 (Moneyline)
Connecticut Huskies -3.5 (-110), Under 135.5 (-110), -165 (Moneyline)
College Basketball Betting Trend: Pittsburgh is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against the Huskies and the Over is 16-6 in their last 22 games against Big East competition.
