UConn vs. Gonzaga Prediction: Can Tristen Newton, Huskies Start Hot on Road in Top-10 Clash?
The UConn Huskies are set to duel with the Gonzaga Bulldogs in a Friday night showdown. Can Tristen Newton rally the Huskies for a hot start on the road in Spokane? Ben Rajavuori provides his best first half bet for UConn vs. Gonzaga.
Ben Rajavuori - December 15, 2023, 5:25 PM EST
5 minUConn vs. Gonzaga Prediction: Can Tristen Newton, Huskies Start Hot on Road in Top-10 Clash
No. 10 Gonzaga hosts No. 5 UConn in a top-10 matchup from Spokane, Washington tonight. The Huskies enter this game with a 9-1 record, with the lone loss coming to Kansas on the road. Gonzaga enters this game with two losses at 8-2, with their losses coming to Purdue and Washington. Can Gonzaga notch a marquee win at home as underdogs?
UConn vs. Gonzaga Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: December 15, 2023
- Game Time: 10:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN2
UConn vs. Gonzaga Odds
- Spread: UConn -4.5 (-103), Gonzaga +4.5 (-115)
- Total Odds: O 153 (-110), U 153 (-108)
- Moneyline Odds: UConn (-180), Gonzaga (+155)
UConn vs. Gonzaga Prediction
This is a rematch from the Elite Eight last year when UConn won 82-54 in a complete blowout. Hawkins finished with 20 points in that game, and Drew Timme was ice cold, finishing 5-14 from the field. After UConn won that game, they went on to eventually win it all, winning their first championship under Dan Hurley.
Both teams have lost some pieces, but it looks like Gonzaga is feeling their losses a bit more. UConn lost Jordan Hawkins and Adama Sanogo, their two leading scorers, but they retained a lot of pieces and brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation with Stephon Castle, Solomon Ball, Jaylin Stewart, and Jayden Ross, who all ranked in the top-100 recruits on ESPN entering the season. They also brought back Tristen Newton and Donovan Clingan.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga lost Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton, and Malachi Smith. That's a large chunk of their core team, and Timme was one of the best centers in college basketball. Ben Gregg takes over in his place this season, but that's a big drop-off in talent. Graham Ike transferred in from Wyoming to play in the paint, and he has been doing well, but he did not make an impact in their biggest game of the season against Purdue.
UConn is simply the better team right now. Gonzaga has been hitting the offensive glass, but UConn is one of the biggest teams in the country and is 13th in offensive rebounding percentage allowed on defense. They are even bigger and better on the glass, and the size should frustrate Gonzaga early. UConn is also better tested in big games early on this season, as they already have wins over Texas and UNC. Gonzaga has two decent wins against UCLA and USC, but those were barely quad one games, and they also lost to Purdue and Washington. Edey had 25 points in that game against Purdue, and Clingan could have a similar performance tonight. I think UConn jumps out early and forces Gonzaga to adjust to their size difference.
UConn Huskies vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Pick
Pick: UConn First Half -1.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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