UConn vs DePaul Odds, Pick: Blowout in Chicago

You won't find a more lopsided conference game than No. 1-ranked UConn against the 3-20 DePaul Blue Demons.

UConn could repeat as NCAA champions while DePaul is having the worst season in program history.

Just a season after notching the first title in Dan Hurley's tenure as head coach, the UConn Huskies are — once again — the best team in college hoops.

The most impressive part of UConn's attack is how well the ball moves. When you watch the Huskies play, the ball rarely sticks in one player's hands. Point guard Tristen Newton is a willing ball mover who finds his shooters — Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban — in prime shooting positions.

Spencer is arguably the best portal find from the summer. He came in from Rutgers after spending the prior three years at Loyola Maryland. He leads the team with 15.3 points per game and is shooting an elite 45% from 3-point range.

Spencer is arguably the best shooter in college basketball, and he'll put on a show against the Blue Demons.

On paper, UConn's defense is nothing to write home about, as it ranks 16th in defensive efficiency. However, the defense is an entirely different animal when Donovan Clingan is in the lineup, as he averages over two blocks per game.

Clingan's presence alone scares teams into taking poor 2-point jumpers. Even if he's not blocking shots, he has a palpable impact.

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I try to speak kindly about most teams, but DePaul is an objectively terrible basketball squad.

Tony Stubblefield got sacked a few weeks back, and things haven't fared better under interim head coach Matt Brady. DePaul has lost all 12 conference games by double digits, many of which came by 20+ points. That's showing zero fight and zero signs of life.

Coach Brady is exiling Da'Sean Nelson from the lineup, as he played only six minutes in a loss to St. John's. I'd argue that Nelson is DePaul's best player, but the interim coach is trying different things, and you can't blame him for that.

With Chico Carter Jr. injured and Nelson seldom playing minutes, DePaul's top scorers are Elijah Fisher, Jalen Terry and Jaden Henley. At least Terry can shoot it from deep, as he's connecting on 46% of his 3s. He's the Blue Demons' top option right now, so he should let it fly often against UConn.

The Blue Demons rank 288th in offensive efficiency, paired with a rough 279th in defensive efficiency. Neither of those numbers bode well for things turning around.

The lack of talent is evident, and the overall results lack even more. DePaul is the worst high-major team by a wide margin.

I can't back DePaul against the best team in college basketball, especially considering the Blue Demons boast an awful 7-15-1 ATS record.

It's not like DePaul covers huge spreads in conference play; that's not the case.

UConn also isn't significantly worse in road games, like some other teams in college hoops.

The Huskies have two road losses all year — one in Allen Fieldhouse and one at Seton Hall.

Playing in different environments doesn't scare off the Huskies.

Pick: UConn -24 (Play to -25)