UConn vs. Butler odds, line, time: 2024 college basketball picks, Jan. 5 best bets by proven model
The fourth-ranked UConn Huskies will look to continue their dominance over the Butler Bulldogs when they meet in a key Big East Conference matchup on Friday night. The Huskies (12-2, 2-1 Big East), who are looking for their first road win of the year, have never lost to Butler in seven previous tries. The Bulldogs (10-4, 1-2 Big East), who have won all eight home games this season, dropped an 86-56 decision in their last meeting with UConn last January. The Huskies are coming off an 85-56 win over DePaul on Tuesday, while the Bulldogs fell 86-70 at St. John's on Tuesday.
The game from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET. UConn is averaging 83.1 points per game, while Butler averages 82.2. The Huskies are 4.5-point favorites in the latest UConn vs. Butler odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 144.5. Before making any Butler vs. UConn picks, .
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 9 of the 2023-24 season on a 101-66 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a fast 11-4 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on UConn vs. Butler. You can head to SportsLine to see the picks. Here are several college basketball betting lines and trends for Butler vs. UConn:
- UConn vs. Butler spread: UConn -4.5
- UConn vs. Butler over/under: 144.5 points
- UConn vs. Butler money line: UConn -220, Butler +180
- UConn: The Huskies have won 15 of their last 17 games (+12.10 units on ML)
- Butler: The Bulldogs have hit the team total under in 20 of their last 30 games (+8.40 units)
- UConn vs. Butler picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why UConn can cover
Sophomore forward Alex Karaban is already making his mark on the Huskies' program. He is among the team's scoring and rebound leaders, averaging 14.4 points, six boards, 1.6 assists and one block in 30.9 minutes of action. He is nearly automatic from the floor and at the foul line, hitting 52.7% of his field goals and 90.5% of his free throws. In the win over DePaul, Karaban scored 17 points, while grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out two assists and registering two blocks.
Sophomore center Donovan Clingan remains out with a foot injury, but the Huskies have fared relatively well without him. Junior forward Samson Johnson stepped in with a 16-point performance in a 69-65 win over St. John's on Dec. 23, and followed that up with an eight-point and four-block effort against DePaul. He has scored 10 or more points four times. He has played in 39 games for UConn in his career with three starts, including two this year. In 14 games in 2023-24, he is averaging 6.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why Butler can cover
Junior guard Pierre Brooks, a transfer from Michigan State, powers the Bulldogs' offense. In 14 games, all starts, he is averaging 16.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 32.7 minutes of action. He is connecting on 48.9% of his shots from the floor, including 37.9% from 3-point range, and 72.2% of his free throws. He has reached double-figure scoring in every game, including a season-high 26 in an 88-78 win over Penn State on Nov. 24.
Senior guard Jahmyl Telfort, a transfer from Northeastern, is also making a big impact for the Bulldogs. In 14 games, all starts, he is averaging 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 33.1 minutes of play. He is connecting on 84.2% of his free throws. Telfort has scored 10 or more points in 11 games, including a 26-point effort in a 103-95 overtime win over Texas Tech on Nov. 30. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Butler vs. UConn picks
The model has simulated this matchup 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Over the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 70% of simulations. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.
