Can UConn keep the road momentum going and sweep DePaul?

How to Watch

Time: 6:00 p.m. ET

TV: FS1

Location: Wintrust Arena

Records: UConn 6-1 (3-1) | DePaul 1-3 (0-3)

Odds

Spread: DePaul +5

ATS Records: UConn (6-1) | DePaul (2-2)

Total: 141.5

Kenpom Rankings: UConn – 22 | DePaul – 91

Series History

The UConn-DePaul series has been a lopsided battle. The Huskies are 10-1 all-time against DePaul. UConn won their last matchup just a week and a half ago on December 30. UConn routed DePaul in a 21-point victory while holding them to just 38% from the field. Tyrese Martin had a breakout game scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Huskies will look to continue their dominance and sweep the season series against DePaul with a win on Monday night.

The Matchup

DePaul has struggled to open Big East play, but in fairness the Blue Demons have been hit harder by COVID stoppages than practically any team in the country. They were only able to play one tune-up, nonconference game before diving headfirst into the Big East gauntlet. The Blue Demons will look to avenge their loss to the Huskies, but the Huskies have been rolling after putting a terrible first half against Marquette behind them. DePaul is led by Charlie Moore (14 PPG, 5.3 APG), Javon Freeman-Liberty (15.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.0 APG), and Romeo Weems (11.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG) who were held in check by UConn in the first matchup. Can they breakout against the Huskies this time, or will they struggle against the Huskies dominant defense?

After opening Big East play with a tough loss at home to Creighton, UConn bounced back with a dominant win over DePaul. However, they started off poorly against Marquette, but have since played some of their best basketball of the young season, even without their star James Bouknight. It is unclear if Bouknight will play on Monday, but I suspect they will hold him out as there is no reason to rush him back, especially when the team’s next game is postponed. The Huskies currently have the best adjusted defense and the third ranked adjusted offense in the Big East, per Kenpom. Even when Bouknight went down, Tyler Polley and Isaiah Whaley seamlessly stepped up to take over the last two games, just as seniors should. Can Tyrese Martin replicate his dominance from the first DePaul game? Will Polley and Whaley continue to control games? Who else will step up and join the party as the Huskies continue to improve and gain confidence as a team?

Final Prediction

The Huskies continue to roll and close out their first road trip of the season with a win over DePaul. The Huskies defense proves too much for DePaul, especially as the Huskies offense continues to take shape. The Huskies have learned how to win on the road, something UConn has missed over the last few seasons. Hot sauce is now a celebration.