Texas vs UConn Betting Odds – Depth helps Texas survive scary trip to Storrs

Texas hit a small online betting bump with their loss at Kansas State, but it was probably just enough to knock them back to earth. The Longhorns will head to Storrs on Saturday for a marquee matchup with Connecticut, and the struggling Huskies have played well at home this year. For Texas to avoid a two-game losing streak, they’ll need a big day from their bench.

The Storyline - Texas vs UConn Betting Odds
The top-ranked Longhorns (17-1, 3-1) lost their first game of the season, falling 71-62 on Monday night at Kansas State, and it was the third straight game in which Texas was behind at halftime. The unranked Huskies (12-6, 3-3) snapped a three-game skid with a 75-59 win over St. John’s, and they’re doing it without coach Jim Calhoun, who took a medical leave of absence this week.

Offensive Texas vs UConn Betting Odds
The Longhorns are still second in the nation in scoring, with a trio of players in Damion James, Dexter Pittman and Avery Bradley who are all capable of carrying Texas on any given night. The Longhorns sometimes struggle with turnovers, but it’s free-throw shooting that is their real Achilles Heel: Texas is 313th in the nation in that category, and they were only 9-of-22 from the line in the Kansas State loss.

The Huskies have their own version of a “Big Three” in Stanley Robinson, Kemba Walker and Jerome Dyson, who combined for 56 points in the win over St. John’s. However, past Gavin Edwards, there isn’t much scoring. The Huskies don’t offer much from long-range distance, either.

Betting Edge: Texas

Defensive Matchups - Texas vs UConn Betting Odds
Texas is seventh in the country in field-goal defense, and the duo of Pittman and James in the post is tough to deal with. Bradley has shown that freshmen can also play defense now, and the Longhorns also rank in the top 15 in rebounding and blocks.

Blocks are something that the Huskies are familiar with, as they lead the nation in that category, powered by the duo of Edwards and Alex Oriakhi, and these two will battle with James and Pittman all game. They’re also physical on defense without committing a lot of fouls.

Betting Edge: Draw

Coaching Matchup - Texas vs UConn Betting Odds
Rick Barnes has been doing a great job with this year’s team, and the loss to the Wildcats may have been the best thing for them. Texas has been beating people with their talent, but with the Kansas State game, Barnes still has much to teach. The free-throw line would be a great place to start.
George Blaney will lead the Huskies out in place of Calhoun, and he’s been the associate head coach in Storrs since 2003. UConn’s sportsbook chances obviously stand a better chance with Calhoun on the sideline, but Blaney is experienced and the players like him. They say he’s like Calhoun, but with less yelling.

Betting Edge: Texas

Betting Prediction - Texas vs UConn Betting Odds
These national powers have met three times since 2000, with Texas winning the last two. They lost in their lone trip to Storrs in 2000, and the Huskies could favored at home by a very small line. Inside play will be key in this game as UConn’s big men will try to stifle Pittman and James, while on the perimeter, Bradley will take on Dyson or Walker. However, the focus of this game should come on the benches, and this is where Texas has a huge advantage with guys like J’Covan Brown and Jordan Hamilton. The Huskies just don’t have the players to compete when the starters go to the bench.

WASHINGTON’S PICK: Texas

For more sports betting tips in college hoops, get your fix with Washington in BetOnline’s The Betting Edge. For more on the Texas vs UConn matchup, please visit our stats section.