UConn vs. Seton Hall odds, props, predictions: Defending national champs pose huge test for Pirates

The Huskies and Pirates open Big East play tonight at the Prudential Center, with Seton Hall hosting the defending national champions. UConn has looked very strong to start the season, getting out to a 10-1 start. Not only do they have a strong record, but they have a good spread bet, covering seven of 11 chances. Their only loss of the season came as an underdog, too.

Seton Hall has taken care of business against weaker non-Power Five opponents. Their struggles have come against bigger schools from the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12. Their results against the spread are not very good, though, at only 4-7 ATS. The recent spread results have been even worse. The Pirates start 4-0 and 3-1 ATS but have only covered once in their last seven. They did cover their most recent game, a win as an underdog over Missouri, Seton Hall's most impressive win of the season.

We have the live odds, team betting news, player props and a betting prediction for UConn vs. Seton Hall Big East Conference game.

Live odds for UConn vs. Seton Hall

Check out the spread, moneyline, and total points live odds for UConn vs. Seton Hall at the top online sportsbooks for their Big East Conference game on CBSSN tonight at 7 p.m. ET.

More: Best College Basketball Betting Sites & Apps 2023 | College Basketball Odds: NCAAB Betting Lines, Spreads and Futures

UConn Huskies betting news

Not only has UConn gotten out to a strong 10-1 start, but they have done it by playing some challenging competition. The Huskies have wins over Indiana, Texas, North Carolina and Gonzaga, with their only defeat coming to a highly ranked Kansas team. 

Advanced metrics back up just how good this UConn team is; they rank third for adjusted offensive efficiency on Kenpom and 13th for adjusted defensive efficiency. They play slowly and deliberately, ranking 315th for adjusted tempo, forcing opponents to defend for the entire shot clock. 

While the Huskies lost some really talented players, they have filled the gaps with some players stepping up and new additions who have been instant contributors. Tristan Newton, playing his second season for UConn after transferring from ECU, has taken a big jump this season with more opportunities. He is taking 3.2 more shots per game compared to last season and is doing it with increased efficiency (47 FG% up from 37.4%).

Cam Spencer's transfer from Rutgers has been a significant addition, as he averages 15.7 points and is the team's three-point sniper. He is top 25 in the nation for threes made per game (3.09) and top 20 in three-point shooting percentage (45.95). Big Man Donovan Clingan has not had the massive leap some projected but still has made progress and is a force inside at 7-foot-2, averaging 2.1 blocks nightly.

Seton Hall Pirates betting news

Seton Hall has had a roller-coaster season, winning their first four contests before a 1-4 stretch and has now won their last two games. Every loss this season for the Pirates has come against a Power Five opponent. Seton Hall had not beaten any Power Five teams until their last game when they upset Missouri, 93-87.

The offense was the driver, and it was their second-most points of the season and most against a major conference opponent. The offense is the stronger part of Seton Hall's team, ranking 63rd on Kenpom for adjusted offensive efficiency versus only 126th for adjusted defensive efficiency. To play with a team of UConn's caliber and keep it close, the offense will have to be at its best because the Huskies will likely find success against Seton Hall's lackluster defense.

Second-leading scorer Al-Amir Dawes (13 PPG) and third-leading scorer Dre Davis (12.6 PPG) outscored the team's leading scorer Kadary Richmond (14.7 PPG) in their win against Missouri. Dawes led the way with 25 points, his second game this season with 25. He will need to replicate that performance along with Davis and Richmond approaching similar numbers to challenge UConn.

Seton Hall has good guard size but may struggle in the post against UConn, who has some giants. Only two 6-foot-10 or taller players play regular minutes for Seton Hall. Jaden Bediako, the starting center (6-foot-10), and his backup, Elijah Hutchins-Everett (6-foot-11), will need to stay out of foul trouble and have a strong rebounding night. If UConn dominates the offensive glass, there is no chance Seton Hall will keep this matchup close.

UConn vs. Seton Hall props at Caesars Sportsbook

Cam Spencer prop bets

• 15.5 points OVER (-111) / UNDER (-131)
• 3.5 rebounds OVER (-143) / UNDER (-102)
• 3.5 assists OVER (-108) / UNDER (-135)

Tristen Newton prop bets

• 15.5 points OVER (-125) / UNDER (-117)
• 6.5 rebounds OVER (-149) / UNDER (+102)
• 5.5 assists OVER (-131) / UNDER (-111)

Donovan Clingan prop bets

• 14.5 points OVER (-108) / UNDER (-135)
• 7.5 rebounds OVER (+106) / UNDER (-155)
• 0.5 assists OVER (-258) / UNDER (+168)

Kadary Richmond prop bets 

• 14.5 points OVER (-129) / UNDER (-113)
• 3.5 rebounds OVER (-143) / UNDER (-102)
• 3.5 assists OVER (-170) / UNDER (+115)

Al-Amir Dawes prop bets

• 13.5 points OVER (-110) / UNDER (-133)
• 2.5 rebounds OVER (+108) / UNDER (-158)
• 1.5 assists OVER (-170) / UNDER (+115)

Dre Davis prop bets

• 12.5 points OVER (-119) / UNDER (-123)
• 5.5 rebounds OVER (-131) / UNDER (-111)
• 1.5 assists OVER (+139) / UNDER (-208)

UConn vs. Seton Hall prediction: UConn opens Big East play with big win

Seton Hall has turned a corner and figured out how to beat other solid opponents after their win over Missouri. That bodes well for their season, but UConn is by far the best opponent the Pirates will have seen at this point. UConn is too good, and while the first half will be close, the Huskies should pull away after halftime.

Pick: UConn