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How to Watch
Time: 1 PM ET
TV: SNY (local) | Fox Sports App (out of market)
The Matchup
Xavier (3-1) head to Storrs, CT to take on the UConn Huskies (3-0) at Gampel Pavillion.
Xavier will look to bounce back from their lone lose to Valparaiso and get off to a strong start in conference play. The Musketeers will have their work cut out for them though as it has been a while since the UConn women have lost a conference game (they went 139-0 in AAC play and are off to a 2-0 start in the Big East). Xavier is led by Nia Clark (15.8 ppg) and A’rianna Gray (14.2 ppg), though their offense has been inefficient. As a team, the Musketeers are shooting 42.8% from the field and a dismal 22.2% from deep (per HerHoopStats). They do rank highl, 13th in the country to be exact, in offensive rebounds per game (per HerHoopStats). This will be an interesting stat to track as the Huskies currently rank 1st in the country in defensive rebounding, pulling down 35.7 rpg (per HerHoopStats). They will have to improve their offensive efficiency if they want to take down the Huskies.
The UConn women only played one non-conference game before jumping into Big East play where they defeated Seton Hall and Creighton. In 3 games, the Huskies have looked strong and currently have 3 players averaging double figures, led by freshman sensation Paige Bueckers. UConn should look to attack the rim using their size and speed as they are shooting a nation best 64.3% from 2-point range but have struggled from 3-point range early on, shooting just 28.6% as a team (per HerHoopStats). In fact, at half-time against Creighton Geno Auriemma called his team “the worst shooting team in America.” Despite this poor shooting, the Huskies are winning with defense. On the year, the Huskies are only giving up 45 ppg and opponents are shooting a woeful 26.7% from the field, both defensive stats rank number 1 in the nation (a theme seems to be emerging here). This does not bode well for a Xavier team that struggles with efficiency on the offensive end.
Final Prediction
The Huskies continue to roll and easily defeat Xavier after a slow start. Their depth, size, and speed will prove to be too much for the Musketeers to handle.