My Analysis
I will say to you again, I will ride and die with this absolute money maker.
I told you that last Saturday when I came with a 200 dime play on these Huskies over Illinois and all they did was go out and win by 25.
That win and cover is putting this team closer to the greatest covering machine in history.
Let's recap!!
Over the last 2 years when it comes to non-conference neutral site games, the UConn Huskies have now covered 17 in a row.
I'm talking 17-0 SU and 17-0 ATS and it's not going to be, this non defense playing Alabama team that is going to bring that streak to an end today.
Last year in their non-conference schedule, they played 3 neutral site games at the Phill Knight Invitational.
They went 3-0 SU and ATS with wins and all 3 were by double digits.
Laying 3 1/2 against Oregon they won 83-59, laying , laying 1 1/2 to Alabama won 82-67 and laying 6 1/2 to Iowa State won 71-53.
Notice the margins of victory: 23, 25 and 18.
Fast forward to the NCAA tourney and 6 straight wins, 6 straight covers and all 6 by double digits.
Folks, do the math: 9-0 SU and ATS on neutral floors versus non conference teams last year.
Now let's move on to this year.
In their non conference schedule, they played 4 neutral site games and wouldn't you know it, a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS.
The Empire Classic in New York they laid 11 to Indiana and won 77-57 and laying 8 against Texas they won 81-71.
Then 2 weeks later in the Jimmy V classic back in New York, they laid 5 1/2 to North Carolina and beat them 87-76.
Lastly, they faced Gonzaga in Seattle and laying 3 1/2, hammered the Zags again 76-63.
Once again, a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS with all 4 by double digits.
You throw that run with a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS in this tournament with all 4 by double digits and there is your 17-0 SU and ATS staring you in the face.
Now comes Alabama, a team that in 3 of their last 6 regular season games allowed over 100 points including 117 at Kentucky.
Yes, they have played a little better defense in this tourney but they still allowed College of Charleston to score 90 on them in the first round.
In round two Grand Canyon was up 58-55 with just over 6 minutes to go when they went ice cold and scored 3 points the rest of the way.
Next round beat North Carolina because RJ Davis forgot how to play basketball and against Clemson in the next round, they still allowed 82 points.
The way to beat UConn is to slow it down but Alabama won't do that. They look to run and get spot up 3's. That won't work against UConn.
Lastly, Illinois Terrence Shannon, all 6'6 of him, was averaging over 30 points a game in his last 9 games.......UConn held him to 9.
As Bama's Mark Sears goes, so goes the Tide and trust me when I tell you, Sears is in for a long night against this UConn defense.
At the end of the day, Alabama is just not good enough defensively to stay with UConn for 40 minutes. Their deficiencies will get exposed tonight big time.
I will be absolutely shocked if UConn doesn't beat this team by at least 20!!!
Huskies go to 18-0 SU and ATS in non conference games played on a neutral site with yet another double digit blowout win.
UConn marches on to the final Monday night.