NCAAB odds, pick: UConn vs. Providence betting preview for Saturday, March 9

UConn vs. Providence Odds

Saturday, March 9, 8 p.m. ET, FOX

Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAB odds here.

Connecticut Huskies

I don't think any national champion has had a better chance to repeat as champs in years.

UConn owns a 27-3 record and lost just twice in conference play in road contests against Seton Hall and Creighton. The Huskies lost at Kansas without Stephon Castle and at Seton Hall with Donovan Clingan playing only 14 minutes.

So, a fully healthy UConn team has lost only one game so far.

The scariest thing about the Huskies? The talent level in the starting lineup.

All five starters average at least 11 points, led by All-American point guard candidate Tristen Newton, who averages 15.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Newton's a walking triple-double threat, and while he's shooting just 41% from the field and 31% from deep, his impact travels.

Newton is UConn's best scorer, but Cam Spencer is UConn's best shooter. If you're a casual hoops fan looking for someone to hate in March, look no further than Spencer. He oozes the trash-talking mentality of JJ Redick and Marshall Henderson, which opposing fans can't stand.

Spencer is averaging 14.5 points on a staggering 45% clip from 3. He's hit a triple in every game but the loss to Creighton.

UConn is just so dominant on both ends of the floor. You rarely find teams ranking top-five in offensive efficiency and top-15 in defensive efficiency. Still, UConn's defense is better than the metrics show because Clingan missed a chunk of games. The 7-footer is one of the best defenders in the game.

UConn's interior defense is dominant, ranking seventh nationally in 2-point field goal percentage. When an interior defense is that elite, it shows how good a defense can be.

However, the Huskies are facing arguably the best player in the Big East.

Providence Friars

Providence star Devin Carter is that man. He's become a dominant two-way player, as his potential has always shown. Carter averages 19.2 points and leads the team in rebounds, assists and steals.

If Providence wins this game, it would put itself on the right side of the bubble. That would call for the Friar faithful to get ready to hang Carter's jersey in the rafters.

Since losing Bryce Hopkins to a season-ending ACL injury, head coach Kim English shifted his style. He's now focused on making the Friars a defense-first team, as they rank 19th nationally in defensive efficiency.

Similar to UConn, Providence thrives at keeping opponents from scoring easily inside the arc, where it ranks 21st nationally in 2-point field-goal percentage.

Providence lacks an offensive identity outside of Carter dominating and shooting an elite 38% from 3 and Josh Oduru finding scoring lanes inside.

The team shoots just 33% from outside but attempts triples on over 40% of its possessions. I get some of the shots because the roster lacks real shot creation and relies on Ticket Gaines and other role players for scoring.

However, the Friars have to find something that works, and hoisting shots from deep might not be it.

UConn vs. Providence

Betting Pick & Prediction

This line feels a bit big.

I know Providence isn't great and UConn is, but the home-court crowd will keep the Friars within striking distance.

Providence needs a lower-scoring game and some positive 3-point shooting regression to cover the spread. I think those will happen with its NCAA Tournament future hanging in the balance.

Pick: Providence +10