Connecticut vs. Saint Joseph's Betting Line, March Madness Analysis, Pick

The Connecticut Huskies meet the Saint Joseph’s Hawks in the East Region with the Philly school looking to end its three-game losing streak against the spread in opening-round tournament games.

Connecticut, meanwhile, embarks on its campaign for a fourth national championship as a long-shot No. 7 seed.

They are in tough against the scrappy St. Joe’s team that has won nine of its last 11 games to earn a No. 10 seed.

Spread and total points scored betting line

The Huskies opened as four-point favorites; the total was 130. (Compare lines and consensus on the Odds Shark matchup report)

Odds Shark computer pick

70.3-66.2 UConn Huskies

Why pick Saint Joseph's to cover the spread

Sometimes all it takes for an upset in March is a lights-out performance by a star player.  Saint Joseph’s Langston Galloway is primed for a breakout performance against the Huskies after making 13-of-23 three-pointers in the Atlantic 10 tournament.

Galloway led the Hawks to the A-10 championship with 22.6 points per game.

Why pick Connecticut to cover the spread

No. 7 Connecticut’s defense is outstanding. The Huskies only allow 63.1 points per game and earned an at-large bid after finishing third in the American Athletic Conference.

Seven-foot center Amida Brimah patrols the paint for the Huskies, and he has helped the defense hold 13 of their last 14 opponents under the total.

Smart betting pick

Saint Joseph’s is riding high off its 65-61 victory over VCU and is primed for a Cinderella run. Galloway has the clutch gene and will shred Connecticut’s 103rd ranked three-point field-goal defense from behind the arc.

Saint Joseph’s could win this game straight up, so take the Hawks with the points.

Power rankings

Saint Joseph's Hawks: No. 78

Connecticut Huskies: No. 190 (per Odds Shark power ranks)

March Madness betting trends

• UConn under is 13-1 last 14 games
• UConn 10-5-1 ATS last 16 games
• Saint Josephs 9-2 SU last 11 games
• Saint Josephs 0-3 ATS last three first-round games

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