NCAA College Basketball Betting Preview: New Hampshire vs. No. 5 UConn – Can Huskies Make History with Double-Digit Win?

Today in the world of college basketball, an historic moment is on the horizon. If the No. 5 UConn team secures a victory over New Hampshire by a margin of at least 10 points, sports history will be made. The Huskies are currently favored by 31.5 points on the SportsLine consensus, making a victory seem quite likely. However, there is a possibility that the upcoming game could be a trap for UConn, as they have a challenging non-conference matchup against Kansas on Friday.

During their recent game against Manhattan, the Huskies continued their impressive season streak by obtaining a 90-60 win, marking their 23rd consecutive non-conference victory with double-digit margins. The Huskies’ unbeatable streak stretches back to their 2023 NCAA Tournament title. UConn achieved a flawless 17-0 record in non-conference games last year, setting the stage for their current success. The streak began with an 85-54 win over Stonehill in the 2022-23 opener.

While some have questioned UConn’s streak, it’s worth noting that the team has faced formidable opponents in addition to easier matchups. The 2008-09 North Carolina Tar Heels are the only other team to achieve 23 straight non-conference wins by at least 10 points, ultimately securing a national title. UConn currently holds odds of +1600 for a repeat performance.

One of UConn’s players, Donovan Clingan, expressed the team’s determination to make history, stating, “Obviously, it’s in the back of our heads. We’re trying to go be a part of history and do something no team has done.”

Despite their accomplishments, UConn faced Friday’s game without freshman guard Stephon Castle due to a minor knee injury sustained on Nov. 11. Castle’s absence is expected to continue during the upcoming game against New Hampshire, with hopes for his return on Friday against the Jayhawks. Touted as the No. 9 national prospect, Castle has averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

UConn currently boasts impressive statistics, leading the Big East in scoring offense (89.5 points per game) and ranking top-20 nationally in scoring defense (60.0 PPG). The team is also ranked third in the country in scoring margin (29.5 PPG), with five players averaging at least 12.7 PPG. Tristen Newton secured a triple-double in Friday’s game, marking his third in his Huskies career, establishing a school record.

While New Hampshire may not be a formidable opponent compared to UConn, the Wildcats have proven themselves by attaining a 4-2 record this season and scoring an average of 82.2 PPG. Clarence Daniels leads their offensive efforts, averaging 20.8 points (the highest in America East) and 9.0 rebounds per game (the second highest).

As UConn and New Hampshire prepare to face off, it’s interesting to note that they were once fellow Yankee Conference members, showing the evolution of college sports over time. UConn holds the all-time series lead against New Hampshire 94-25, having secured a resounding victory in their last meeting in December 2019.

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