The Wagner Seahawks (0-2) and the No. 5 UConn Huskies (2-0) meet Monday at M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET (truTV). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA basketball odds around the Wagner vs. UConn odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Wagner remained winless Friday after an 83-57 loss at the No. 17 Miami Hurricanes, although the Seahawks covered as 38.5-point underdogs while the Under (144.5) cashed. F Tajae Jones led Wagner with 13 points with G Cam Estevez (10 points) the only other player in double figures. The Seahawks struggled inside, getting outscored 52-22 in the paint.
UConn improved to 2-0 with an impressive 85-77 victory over the
No. 20 Michigan Wolverines at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Huskies covered as 7.5-point favorites while the Over (142.5) cashed. G Braylon Mullins led the way with 23 points, including a 10 of 11 performance at the free-throw line. G Silas Demary Jr. added 21 points and 7 rebounds, while F Colben Landrew provided a nice boost off the bench with 14 points and 8 rebounds.
UConn and Wagner have met twice, splitting the series 1-1. The Huskies won the first matchup 78-66 in 2011, but Wagner pulled off a surprising 67-58 upset in 2016. Both games were played at Gampel Pavilion, so the Seahawks have already shown they can win on UConn's home floor.
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Wagner at UConn odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Wagner +38.5 (-118) | UConn -38.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Wagner at UConn picks and predictions
Prediction
UConn 90, Wagner 50
Moneyline
PASS.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Against the spread
BET UCONN -38.5 (-102).
Wagner has been brutal offensively through 2 games, averaging just 53.5 points while shooting 31.9% from the field. That's going to be a problem against a UConn team averaging 85.5 points and coming off an impressive win over Michigan.
Mullins is averaging 21.5 points, and Demary gives the Huskies another reliable scoring option. Wagner has already lost both games by 26 points, and facing UConn on the road isn't going to make things any easier.
There's also the Dan Hurley factor. Monday marks his first game against Wagner since leaving the program in 2012, so don't expect any favors. The biggest concern is UConn taking its foot off the gas late, but Wagner's offensive struggles make a 40-point blowout a realistic possibility.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 140.5 (-115).
Wagner is having a lot of problems putting the ball in the basket, and facing UConn's defense won't help matters. The Huskies held Gardner-Webb to 46 points, and Wagner doesn't have much firepower to challenge them. The Seahawks also like to slow things down and drain the shot clock. Even if UConn builds a big lead, Wagner's scoring struggles could keep the combined score comfortably low.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Wagner Seahawks vs. UConn Huskies odds, picks and predictions
