UConn vs Kansas Prediction, Odds & PIcks | NCAA Basketball – 12-1-2023

While the start of two action-packed days of college football conference championship games is what many will be looking forward to on tonight’s sports schedule, there’s a massive college basketball matchup to look forward to, as Hunter Dickinson and #5 Kansas will welcome Donovan Clingan and #4 UConn to Allen Fieldhouse (9:00 pm ET, ESPN2).

On many nights, a showdown between two of the top college basketball championship contenders (one of them being the defending national champions, at that) and two of the top players in the country would get top billing.

But in addition to taking place at the same time as tonight’s Pac-12 Championship Game between Oregon and Washington, the showdown between the Huskies and Jayhawks won’t even be on ESPN’s main channel, thanks to the 76ers-Celtics and Nuggets-Suns NBA doubleheader.

Bet on UConn vs Kansas and Other NCAAB Games Tonight at BetDSI

But where UConn-Kansas will air doesn’t take any of the shine off a game many college basketball enthusiasts would have circled, highlighted, and underlined prior to the season.

Kansas is no longer at the top of the rankings after falling to Marquette in the Maui Invitational last week, but they have already showcased their championship credentials on two occasions this season in wins over Kentucky and Tennessee.

Speaking of championship credentials, the team that cut down the nets last season looks the part again this season. The Huskies have won each of their first seven games by double digits, with their closest win being a ten-point victory over Texas in the Empire Classic championship game.

Which one of the title hopefuls will come away with a huge win tonight in Lawrence? The Jayhawks are favored, but it will take a big effort to take down the Huskies, even with a home crowd behind them.

UConn vs Kansas Odds

Odds are courtesy of Bovada.

Spread

• UConn +3.5 (-110)
• Kansas -3.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 148.5 (-110)
• Under 148.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• UConn +145
• Kansas -170

Is Newton the Man to Watch for UConn?

Many will be looking forward to the battle between UConn’s Donovan Clingan and Kansas’s Hunter Dickinson, two of the elite big men in the country.

Clingan is averaging only 19.3 minutes per game, but he is making the most of those minutes, averaging 15.0 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game, and 1.9 blocks per game, while shooting 67.7% from the field.

Dickinson, meanwhile, looks like the top challenger to Purdue’s Zach Edey for this season’s Wooden Award.

The Michigan transfer is averaging 21.7 PPG and 12.7 RPG, and he has four double-doubles in seven games. In Tuesday’s win over Eastern Illinois, which was a bit trickier than expected, he had 25 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks.

While Clingan and Dickinson will deservedly receive a lot of attention, the player who could very well turn the game in UConn’s favor is point guard Tristen Newton.

After transferring from East Carolina, Newton averaged 10.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 4.7 APG on last year’s title-winning team, but he shot only 37.4% from the field.

Through seven games this season, Newton is shooting 44.4% from the field, and he is averaging 15.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 6.9 APG. He is the second-leading scorer for UConn, ahead of Clingan and behind only Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer, who is averaging 16.3 PPG.

In the Huskies’ 30-point win over Manhattan last Friday, Newton posted a triple-double, tallying 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists. He has recorded seven or more rebounds in all but one game, and he has dished out six or more assists in five games.

The only thing that Newton has struggled with thus far this season is outside shooting, as he is only 9 of 31 (29.0%) from three. But he made 3 of 5 against Manhattan, and if he gets going from the perimeter, Kansas could be in a world of trouble, especially if things are clicking elsewhere.

UConn vs Kansas Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Kansas to win

Picks: UConn/Kansas over 148.5 (-110 at Bovada) & Tristen Newton over 1.5 made threes (+110 at Bovada)

I think that the Jayhawks will pull out the win at home, but I am not going anywhere near the spread. Instead, I’m going with the over and a prop that has a lot of value.

In Monday’s win over New Hampshire, Newton missed all five of his three-point attempts, the third time this season he has missed all of his triples. In the first two instances, he bounced back in the next game by hitting four (in seven attempts) against Stony Brook and three (in five attempts) against Manhattan.

Kansas is obviously on a much different level than the Seawolves or Jaspers, but I love the value there.

Where to Bet on College Basketball

If you are looking for college basketball odds, you will always be spoiled for choice.

Sports betting sites all over the internet offer a vast array of NCAA basketball odds throughout the season, from the opening tip in November to the conclusion of the season in early April.

Along with being able to bet on countless games, many online sportsbooks offer men’s college basketball national championship odds, women’s college basketball national championship odds, men’s Wooden Award odds, women’s Wooden Award odds, and odds on who will win early season and conference tournaments.

Below are some of the books that we highly recommend for college basketball betting:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• Bovada
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Other College Basketball Content

• NCAA Basketball Best Bets for Friday, December 1
• College Basketball Betting Guide
• Men’s Wooden Award Winner Odds
• Women’s Wooden Award Winner Odds