The bubble is starting to get really tight in the AAC, as there really isn't such a thing as a team which is on really firm ground for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Connecticut Huskies and Cincinnati Bearcats are both firmly dwelling on the bubble, and they're facing off with one another in a crucial tilt on Saturday.
You can bet on college basketball odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
HOW THE CONNECTICUT HUSKIES CAN COVER THE SPREAD
Connecticut had 43 points on the board at the under 16:00 timeout in the first meeting of the year against the Bearcats and scored just 14 points the rest of the way. It was one of the most dismal stretches of the season offensively for UConn, but it came against a team which has a habit of doing just that to the opposition.
Rodney Purvis was the man who really went cold from the field in the second half. He finished the game with 12 points, but he went just 5-of-17 from the floor and 1-for-4 from beyond the arc. Purvis is the catalyst of sorts for this offense, knowing that he's really the only great three-point shooter. Yes, he's being used off the bench at this point, but that's a good role for him.
He needs to be a change of pace in a game like this to spark some offense, and if he can't do that, the Huskies are going to be in a lot of trouble.
HOW THE CINCINNATI BEARCATS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
The Bearcats did a fantastic job of limiting possessions against the Huskies. UConn managed just 60 shots from the field with eight trips to the foul line the whole night. If Cincinnati's defense can force 10 turnovers and allow fewer than 10 points from the charity stripe, it generally wins and covers, especially if the opposition is held to 60 field goal attempts or fewer.
Cincinnati is really playing well right now because its big men with Gary Clark and Octavius Ellis each playing big boy basketball. Clark has three double-doubles in his last four games, while Ellis has double-doubles on consecutive nights. If these two men are dominating in the post, the Bearcats are tough to slow down, especially knowing that second-chance opportunities are few and far between on offense.
If the Bearcats can keep Daniel Hamilton contained with Ellis and/or Clark, they'll probably cover this spread and win this game.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
We're expecting another close one this weekend between these two bubble dwellers in the AAC. This time around though, we think it's UConn which is going to get the spoils and the huge road win.
Purvis is still the best shooter on the court, and it isn't likely that he's going to go 5-for-17 once again from the field. The Huskies are playing better defensively of late than they were heading into that game against UC in January, and we think that'll end up making a big difference in a game which will come right down to the wire.
Take the points with the Pups, but don't be surprised if they win the game SU as well.
Connecticut 62, Cincinnati 60
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on your television with BookMaker's live betting platform.
Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Cincinnati Bearcats is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. ET at Fifth Third Arena. Catch the game live on ESPN2.
