Butler Bulldogs vs Uconn Huskies Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

No. 11 UConn Looks to Keep Momentum Against Reeling Butler

Butler faces a daunting task on Saturday as they host No. 11 UConn in Indianapolis for a Big East clash. The Bulldogs, riding a four-game losing streak, are eager to snap their skid, but the challenge looms large against a red-hot Huskies squad fresh off a thrilling overtime victory.

Butler Searching for Answers

In their conference opener, Butler (7-5, 0-1) showed promise early but faltered in the second half, falling 80-70 to No. 9 Marquette. Despite leading for much of the first half, turnovers and lack of resilience proved costly.

“The way we started the second half with all the turnovers, we’ve got to be a more resilient basketball team,” Butler coach Thad Matta said. “We know they’re gonna make a run, they’re gonna come back at you. We’ve got to keep getting better.”

Jahmyl Telfort continues to be the bright spot for the Bulldogs, leading the team with 16.2 points and 3.1 assists per game. Andre Screen provides interior toughness, averaging 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest.

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However, turnovers have plagued Butler all season. They rank near the bottom of the conference in turnover margin (-5) and allow opponents an average of 13.2 points off turnovers per game. Against Marquette, 14 giveaways led to 14 points for the Golden Eagles, while the Bulldogs forced just two turnovers in return.

Injuries remain a hurdle for Butler as center Augusto Cassia (knee) and guard/forward Jamie Kaiser Jr. (ankle surgery) are still sidelined.

UConn Riding High

UConn (9-3, 1-0) opened conference play with a thrilling 94-89 overtime victory over Xavier, demonstrating resilience and offensive firepower.

“This had all the designs of a game you lose at home,” Huskies coach Dan Hurley said. “The resolve we’ve shown the last couple weeks is great.”

Alex Karaban leads the reigning back-to-back national champions, averaging 16 points and nearly two blocks per game. Tarris Reed Jr. dominates the boards with 8.4 rebounds per contest, while Hassan Diarra orchestrates the offense with 6.2 assists per game.

The Huskies’ offense has been electric, scoring 84.4 points per game with a 17.5-point average scoring margin. They’re shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc and limiting opponents to 39.2 percent shooting overall.

Despite their defensive prowess, UConn allowed Xavier to shoot an eye-popping 54.2 percent from 3-point range.

Center Samson Johnson, who missed the Xavier game due to a concussion, is expected to return soon. Hurley described Johnson as “the heart and soul of this team.”

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Head-to-Head History

Butler has yet to defeat UConn, losing all nine matchups since 2011. However, the Bulldogs have been competitive in recent encounters. In January, they led by seven at halftime before UConn rallied for an 88-81 victory. Later that season, Butler lost a hard-fought 71-62 game in Connecticut.

Pierre Brooks II and Telfort combined for 35 points in last season’s matchup in Indianapolis. Karaban led the Huskies with 20 points, playing a pivotal role in the second-half comeback.

What to Watch

For Butler, limiting turnovers and showing greater second-half resilience are key to avoiding another loss. Telfort and Brooks must deliver offensively, while the team needs to tighten its defense against a potent UConn lineup.

The Huskies, on the other hand, aim to maintain their offensive efficiency while shoring up their perimeter defense. Karaban and Reed will be crucial, and Johnson’s potential return could provide a significant boost in the paint.

UConn enters as heavy favorites, but if Butler can rediscover its first-half form from recent games, the Bulldogs might have a shot at a long-awaited upset.