Connecticut Huskies vs Kentucky Wildcats Point Spread Picks

Any UConn doubters still out there? The Huskies first took care of #2 seed Villanova, then #3 seed Iowa State, only to be rewarded with a matchup against Michigan State – a team many had going to the Final Four. The Huskies beat MSU and then had to face the #1 seed in the tournament – a team that had won 30 straight games. Florida was #1 much of the year with only three losses, and UConn beat them twice, including the last game as a dog, 63-53. The UConn defense was sensational last game, allowing 38.5% shooting, and the offense never panicked after trailing 16-4. That's what great backcourt play and veteran leadership will do. The UConn backcourt is a deadly weapon behind 6-1 senior Shabazz Napier (18 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists per game) and junior Ryan Boatright. Add in 6-9 junior DeAndrew Daniels who was dynamite against the Florida frontcourt as UConn torched one of the top defensive teams in the country for 55.8% shooting. UConn is on a 7-1 ATS run and has the kind of defense and frontcourt muscle you need against Kentucky. While Connecticut has all that experience, Kentucky doesn't with all those one-and-done freshmen. The Wildcat frontcourt doesn't have 7-0 sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein (ankle) either, who is out.  UConn shut down Florida twice, but this Kentucky team was 0-3 SU, 1-2 ATS against the Gators. The Wildcats are playing their best ball now, but they barely escaped Wisconsin. Kentucky allowed the Badgers to shoot 46% from the field and 8-of-20 (40%) from long range. UConn matches up well in this game, is loaded with experience, has the superior guard play, and is top notch defensively. The Huskies are 14-3 ATS in NCAA Tournament games and 26-10 ATS in their last 36 neutral site games. They are also 11-2 straight-up in all tournament games under Kevin Ollie. The kids from Kentucky struggle from the line (14-21 against Wisconsin), and that could be the difference in an expected close game. Take the three points on Connecticut as they have an excellent chance of winning this game outright.

The Uconn Huskies were picked 10th in the Big East, but that was discounting the level of play displayed by Kemba Walker as well as a crop of talented and fearless freshmen that have emerged to form a Final Four team. The Huskies' season has been divided into three parts. They opened 17-2, followed by going 4-7, and have now gone on to 9-0 in the postseason. That leaves this team at 26-2 outside the slump and within that 26-2 was a 17-point thrashing of Kentucky, their biggest loss by far this season. Kentucky has a young and talented team as well, but they don't have the experience and skill of a Kemba Walker that can keep the team agenda on course when things get tough. We saw that when the Huskies blew out the Wildcats in Maui. UConn has been an amazing 12-0 on a neutral court this season and 11-1 ATS. They are also 6-0 ATS and straight-up as a neutral court dog. Sometimes there are teams of destiny that get on a roll, have an All-American and lots of fresh, young legs that believe and have confidence. This team has all of that and has shined as a dog all season. Play UConn and the points to punch their ticket to the Final.