The No.3-ranked UConn Huskies will face the Butler Bulldogs on Saturday, December 17th, in the first game of conference play for both Big East schools. The Huskies are 11-0 on the season, while the Bulldogs are 8-3.
UConn vs. Butler Match Details
Fixture: UConn Huskies at Butler Bulldogs
Date and Time: Saturday, December 17th, 7:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
UConn vs. Butler Betting Odds and Spread
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
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UConn vs. Butler Key Stats
The 11-0 UConn Huskies have been elite on both sides of the ball this season. They are averaging 85.0 points per game, which currently ranks 12th out of 363 teams in the nation, and allowing just 58.5 points per game, which ranks 13th in the nation. Their offensive rating, 119.3, ranks third in the nation, while their defensive rating, 82.0, ranks seventh in the nation.
The Huskies are coached by Dan Hurley, who is now in his fifth year with the program. Hurley previously spent two years coaching the Wagner Seahawks and six years coaching the Rhode Island Rams. UConn has six top-100 recruits and has four players scoring in double figures. Their roster is led by junior forward Adama Sanogo, who is averaging 18.3 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game.
The 8-3 Butler Bulldogs have been led by a strong defense that ranks 59th in scoring defense, allowing just 63.3 points per game. Their offense has been a middle-of-the-pack unit, ranking 139th in scoring, and averaging 75.0 points per game. The Bulldogs' offensive rating, 108.8, ranks 98th, while their defensive rating, 91.8, ranks 61st.
Butler is led by head coach Thad Matta, who is in the first year of his second stint with the program. Matta previously coached the Bulldogs for one season back in 2000-2001 in his first head coaching gig. He spent the next three seasons coaching the Xavier Musketeers before spending the following 13 seasons coaching the Ohio State Buckeyes. While their roster has just two top-100 recruits, they have five players averaging at least 11.5 points per game.
UConn vs. Butler Betting Prediction
While the Butler Bulldogs have gotten off to a strong start to the season, the UConn Huskies have been among the best teams in the nation on both sides of the ball. The Huskies have won each of their eleven games by double-digits. Look for that streak to continue Saturday evening as UConn wins by at least eight points.
Prediction: UConn Huskies -7.5 (-110)
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