Saint Mary’s vs. Connecticut Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The Saint Mary’s Gaels aim to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 at the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010 when they battle the Connecticut Huskies in West Region Second Round action. Pegged as the No. 5 seed in the West after closing out the season deadlocked with Gonzaga atop the West Coast Conference standings, the Gaels advanced to the Second Round with a 63-51 win over VCU in their tournament opener, snapping a -12 run that featured to losses to Gonzaga. The Huskies rebounded from a 70-68 upset loss to Marquette in the Big East Tournament title game with Friday’s 87-63 rout of Iona, but have failed to win two in a row at the Big Dance since their 2014 march to the national championship.
The Huskies lead the way as 3.5-point favourites on the March Madness odds, while the Gaels trail as +141 moneyline underdogs. The total is pegged at 129.
Saint Mary’s Gaels vs. Connecticut Huskies NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Sunday evening’s matchup at MVP Arena in Albany, New York marks the first meeting between these teams since UCONN recorded an 89-73 win in their only previous clash back in December 2006. The Gaels snapped a three-game against the spread slide at March madness with Friday’s win. However, they enter Sunday’s action winless in their past three Second Round appearances, and have failed to cover in a Second Round clash since 2010. The Huskies are making their first appearance in the Second Round since their 2016, and sport an 11-1 straight up record in 12 Second Round contests as the higher seed.
Saint Mary’s Gaels (5)
The Gaels rebounded from a rough stretch run with a stellar defensive performance in Friday’s win over VCU. The squad limited the Rams to just 36.7% shooting from the field, and after a hard fought first half, they put the put the hammer down in the final 20 minutes, taking the lead for good during a 12-5 run midway through the second half. Senior Logan Johnson continued his steady play at both ends of the court, dropping 12 points and adding 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Johnson has been a steady offensive presence, averaging 21.4 points over his past nine games, but his breakthrough performance under the rim further bolsters a Gaels defence that already ranks eight in adjusted defensive efficiency at Kenpom.
Connecticut Huskies (4)
Could the Huskies be poised for another deep run to the Final Four? The question must be asked, considering this squad has advanced to the Final Four in three of the past four tournament appearances in which they posted a First Round win. And, why not? There is plenty to like about this UCONN team, which has now seven of eight contests while surrendering an average of just 65.9 points per game. After a slow start on Friday, the Huskies once again found their defensive groove, limiting Iona to just 24 second-half points and meagre 38.6% shooting. Up front, junior big man turned in another dominant performance, scoring a season-high 28 points and adding 13 boards in his second straight double-double performance.
SMC
CONN