The UConn Huskies look to stay perfect both at home and in Big East play when they host the Providence Friars on Sunday.

Providence has lost three in a row, and while both teams will be missing key players, our Providence vs. UConn predictions assume the Huskies’ strength will shine through at home.

Providence vs UConn Prediction

My best choice
UConn -15 (-110 at bet365)

My analysis
It wasn’t exactly the home sendoff the Providence Friars were expecting before facing the two-time national champions. Providence lost three straight games at Amica Mutual Pavilion, most recently a 78-50 loss to eighth-ranked Marquette.

The Friars are the second-lowest scoring team in the Big East at just 69 points per game and may once again be without their best player, Bryce Hopkins.

After making his debut on December 3 following ACL surgery, he injured his knee against DePaul and missed the last three games. In the three games Hopkins played, the 6-foot-3 senior forward averaged 17 points and 7.7 rebounds.

The UConn Huskies are on the rise, having won seven straight games, most recently with an 81-68 win over DePaul. Most notable, however, is the ankle injury suffered by star rookie Liam McNeeley, which has sidelined him for weeks.

McNeeley is currently second on the team in scoring at 13.6 points per game and rebounding at 5.8 points per game, but the Huskies’ machine should keep running as the team leads the Big East with 83.7 points per game.

Three other players scored in double figures for UConn, including sophomore Solo Ball, who picked up the slack against DePaul and hit seven triples en route to a game-high 22 points. With McNeeley out, head coach Dan Hurley is hoping for key contributions from two other sophomore forwards, Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross.

There isn’t that much support on Providence’s roster. Aside from Hopkins, only Jayden Pierre (12.6 ppg) and Bensley Joseph (11.3) score in double figures.

UConn hasn’t been advantaged by this many points since its first four games of the season. The Huskies have only had one blowout victory in this current winning streak, and the 13-point win over DePaul was the only other double-digit W.

It’s doubtful whether Hopkins will take the floor on Sunday, but that would change things. Assuming he’s sitting, this one won’t be close.

Same game between Providence and UConn

UConn -15

UConn Team Total Score: Under 83.5 points

The Huskies have done their business at home, going a perfect 7-0 and averaging 89.1 points per game in those victories.

However, the Friars have only outscored one team by 80 points in a game all year, an 89-73 loss to Indiana on Nov. 29. They are in 44th place in field goal defense and 52nd in 3-point shooting.

Part of that is Providence’s pace of play, which ranks 341st at KenPom. UConn doesn’t get up and down particularly quickly either, as they’re ranked 323rd at pace. Additionally, they have only exceeded 80 points twice in their last six games.

The Huskies’ second-ranked offensive efficiency will carry them to a win and a coverage, but the style of play will make it difficult to reach the 80-point plateau.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Providence vs UConn odds

Providence vs UConn live odds

Providence vs. UConn opening odds

• Spread: Providence +14.5 | UConn -14.5
• Money line: Providence +700 | UConn -1100
• Over/Under: Over 137 | Under 137

Odds courtesy of bet365

What you need to know about the Providence vs. UConn betting trend

UConn has won 27 straight home games against unranked opponents. Find more college basketball betting trends for Providence vs. UConn.

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