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UConn vs Seton Hall Odds and Picks (Jan. 8)

Blair Johnson

by Blair Johnson in College Basketball

Updated Jan 7, 2022 · 11:45 PM PST

Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard
Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard talks with his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Wagner on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Newark, N.J. Seton Hall won 85-63. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
  • UConn (10-3, 1-1 Big East) takes on No. 24 Seton Hall (10-3, 1-2 Big East) Saturday, January 8th, at 12:00 pm ET in Newark
  • The Huskies haven’t played a game since beating Marquette 78-70 on the road Dec. 21, while the Pirates beat Butler on the road 71-56 Tuesday for their first conference victory
  • See the current moneyline, point spread, and game total, plus predictions

The UConn Huskies (10-3, 1-1 Big East) — who have been ranked as high as No. 15 in the AP poll this season— travel to New Jersey to take on the No. 24 Seton Hall Pirates (10-3, 1-2 Big East) Saturday at the Prudential Center. Tip off is at 12:00 pm ET on Fox.

Seton Hall enters the contest as slight favorites according to oddsmakers and KenPom predicts the Pirates will win 72-70.

UConn vs Seton Hall Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
UConn +155 +4 (-109) Over 138 (-108)
Seton Hall -190 -4 (-113) Under 138 (-113)

Odds as of January 7th, 2022  with BarStool

 

Dan Hurley’s team is coming off a lengthy COVID pause and hasn’t had a full-scale practice since Dec. 20, the day before UConn’s eight-point win over the Golden Eagles. While it’s unclear who will be available Saturday, it seems unlikely the team’s second-leading scorer Adama Sanogo will be in action at The Rock.

Meantime, Kevin Willard’s club got 17 points from leading scorer Jared Rhoden in a 15-point win over the Bulldogs to avoid the program’s first 0-3 start in league play since 2009-10. Alexis Yetna added 14 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. Seton Hall will have its full nine-man rotation available for the UConn tilt, welcoming back forward Tyrese Samuel from COVID protocols.

Husky Healthy

UConn had nine players test positive for COVID, beginning on Christmas Day and following days after. But with the NCAA announcing Thursday that players who have tested positive for COVID within the past 90 days are considered immunized and, essentially, the same status as fully-vaccinated players — Hurley is confident his team will have no more COVID pauses,

Sanogo, a sophomore forward who attended prep school in the Garden State, is averaging 14.6 points per game and 5.8 boards per contest. But it appears he’s out.

But even without the 6-foot-9 post, UConn should be in good shape with leading scorer RJ Cole (16.3 ppg) and Tyrese Martin (14.4 ppg) in action. Hurley’s club is the 22nd-rated team overall by KenPom and gets it done one both ends of the floor. The Huskies are 34th in offensive adjusted efficiency and 23rd in defensive adjusted efficiency — one of five defensive categories where UConn is rated in the top-25.

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Raise the Jolly Roger

The Pirates were able to run five-on-five in practice Thursday — with Samuel back — for the first time since mid-December Center Ike Obiagu returned to action Tuesday, logged 28 minutes and made a huge difference as Seton Hall cruised past Butler.

During the 7-foot-2 center’s time away due to an ankle sprain and COVID, he continued to work with associate head coach and big-man guru Grant Billmeier. With him back, Seton Hall is dangerous.

The Bucs opened conference play with tight losses to ranked Big East foes Villanova and Providence, but had won nine of their first 10 games to open the season powered by defense. With their length, athleticism and physicality, Willard’s team has the ability to beat anybody — especially at full strength.

The Pick

The Huskies will be motivated to play a game for the first time in nearly three weeks — with the bulk of its roster available.

But Seton Hall — at home — is a formidable opponent. Considering the Pirates already have a pair of Big East losses, I like the Bucs in this spot. With five players averaging in double-digits, the home team has the horses to take down the Huskies.

Pick: Seton Hall (-190)

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