Two of the most consistent and winningest programs over the past couple decades meet in a key non-conference matchup on Friday in Seattle when the No. 5 UConn Huskies battle the No. 10 Gonzaga Bulldogs in the 2023 Seattle Tip-Off. The Huskies (9-1), who won last year’s national championship, have dominated the opposition, outscoring opponents by no fewer than 10 points in every game but one — the 69-65 loss at Kansas on Dec. 1. The Bulldogs (8-2), consistently at or near the top of the West Coast Conference standings every year, have won or shared 11 consecutive league titles and 22 of the past 23. UConn leads the all-time series 4-2.
The game will tip off at 10 p.m. ET at Climate Pledge Arena. UConn is averaging 87.4 points per game, while Gonzaga averages 84.9. The Huskies are 4-point favorites in the UConn vs. Gonzaga odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 153.5. Before making any Gonzaga vs. UConn picks, you’ll want to see the college basketball predictions from SportsLine’s proven model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 6 of the 2023-24 season on a 99-62 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to an 11-3 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on UConn vs. Gonzaga. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s picks. Here are several college basketball betting lines for the Gonzaga vs. UConn:
- UConn vs. Gonzaga spread: UConn -4
- UConn vs. Gonzaga over/under: 153.5 points
- UConn vs. Gonzaga money line: UConn -187, Gonzaga +155
- UCONN: The Huskies have won 15 of their last 17 games (+12.10 units on ML)
- GON: The Bulldogs have hit the game total over in 13 of their last 21 home games (+4.20 units)
- UConn vs. Gonzaga picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Gonzaga can cover
Junior guard Nolan Hickman has reached double-figure scoring in nine of 10 games, all starts. His best game was a 19-point performance in a 76-57 win over Syracuse on Nov. 21. He also scored 17 in the 78-73 loss at Washington last Saturday. For the year, Hickman is averaging 12.6 points, 2.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, and is a 90% free-throw shooter.
A starter in his first year with the program is junior guard Ryan Nembhard, who played at Creighton the past two seasons. He has reached double-figure scoring in seven games, including a season-high 22 in an 81-65 win over Cal State Bakersfield on Nov. 28. For the season, he is averaging 11.8 points, 5.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and one steal per game. He is connecting on 40.2% of his field goals and 84.6% of his foul shots. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why UConn can cover
Senior guard Tristen Newton helps power the Huskies, and is one of four UConn players averaging double-digit scoring. In 31.5 minutes of action, Newton is averaging 17 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He is one of the team’s top free throw shooters, connecting on 83.6% of his foul shots. Newton has scored 10 or more points in nine games, including a 31-point effort in the loss at Kansas. He has also recorded three double-doubles, the last being a 17-point and 10-rebound performance in an 84-64 win over New Hampshire on Nov. 27.
Senior guard Cam Spencer, in his first year in the program after spending last season at Rutgers, is one of the Huskies’ most reliable shooters. He is connecting on 49% of his field goals, including 45.6% from 3-point range, and is an 89.3% free-throw shooter. He is coming off a 15-point, four-rebound and four-assist effort in the win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. For the season, Spencer averages 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Gonzaga vs. UConn picks
The model has simulated this matchup 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Over, and it also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins UConn vs. Gonzaga, and which side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 99-62 roll on its top-ranked college basketball picks, and find out.
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