Villanova basketball is favorited to beat UConn. Read more for a full Villanova vs UConn prediction and preview.
General Information:
Teams: Villanova (10-5, 3-1) and No. 9 UConn (12-3, 4-0)
Tip-Off Time: 6:30 p.m.
Watch: FS1
Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Latest on UConn basketball:
The Huskies will be without freshman guard Liam McNeely (ankle) for the foreseeable few weeks. This means Villanova has caught UConn at the right time on the schedule.
UConn is coming off a late, 87-84, comeback win against Providence on Jan. 5 and is 8-0 since losing three games at the Maui Invitational.
Through conference play, fifth-year forward Hassan Diarra is averaging 8.8 assists. Diarra has been a difference-maker for the UConn ball movement. The Huskies offense is ranked second by KenPom, averaging 83.9 points per game this season.
Junior forward Alex Karaban is averaging 16.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists this season, earning him a spot on the Midseason Wooden Watch, which follows the top 25 players who could earn the John R. Wooden Award.
Despite UConn’s efficient offense, it lacks on the defensive end. The Huskies’ opponents average 29.6 rebounds per game, ranking eighth in the country. Defense is something UConn and Villanova have begun to improve upon, but still have not perfected. The Huskies are ranked 131st defensively by KenPom.
Latest on Villanova basketball:
Villanova has won seven of its last eight games and is shaping up to be in consideration for the NCAA tournament. A win against UConn would be a huge step in increasing its chances to earn a bid.
The Wildcats are coming off a dominant, 100-56, win over DePaul on Jan. 4.
Graduate forward Eric Dixon was named the Big East Player of the Week after averaging 26.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last week. Villanova went 2-0 with the help of Dixon’s performances. He shot 51.5% from the field.
Dixon is doing things that are rare in college basketball. He currently averages a league-leading 25.9 points per game. DePaul head coach Chris Holtman said he was the worst matchup in college basketball after Villanova defeated them by 44 points. Dixon finished the game with 25 points.
Senior guard Wooga Poplar had a career-high 15 rebounds against DePaul and looks to bring intensity to a weak UConn defense. Poplar is surging through conference play and has found his calling in the Wildcats’ lineup.
It will be a high-scoring game between two efficient offenses. The path to victory is locking in defensively.