UConn’s season ended on a sour note, but Danny Hurley’s Huskies can wash the bitter taste from a poor showing in the Big East final out of their mouth with another deep run at the NCAA Tournament.
The market has soured a bit on the Huskies after their stumble against St. John’s, but it’s best to think twice before doubting this program at this time of year.
UConn’s tournament gets underway as a 20.5-point favorite over Furman on Friday.
UConn vs. Furman odds, prediction
Two things can be true about UConn: It’s one of the best teams in the country, and it was also overrated by the selection committee, which tagged the Huskies as a No. 2 seed in the Big Dance.
It may seem like splitting hairs, but most power ratings have the Huskies ranked outside of the top eight in the country, which would indicate they’d be better suited as a No. 3, behind either Illinois or Michigan State.
That’s all moot now, but it does help paint a picture of where UConn is at right now in the eyes of the betting market.
The Huskies are terrific, but they’re not considered in the same league as the likes of Duke, Michigan, Arizona, Florida and Houston.
The good news is that the Huskies are considered one of the best of the rest, and it’s thanks to their lights-out defense.
UConn finished the season ranked as the 11th-best defense in the country by KenPom’s model and the 12th-best, per Bart Torvik.
Both those models adjust for strength of schedule, so the Huskies still grade out as an elite unit despite the down year for the Big East.
That defense should have no qualms with the Palladins, who grade out as one of the worst offenses in the field, per KenPom and Bart Torvik.
Betting on College Basketball?
Furman’s defensive numbers are slightly better, but the Paladins will need to be near-perfect without the ball to keep this one close, given the discrepancy when they’re on the attack.
The threat of a back-door cover with UConn resting players in the second half looms, but I’ll trust the Huskies to make a statement after their stumble at Madison Square Garden last weekend.
The Play: UConn -20.5 (-110, bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
