Providence vs UConn Odds, Pick: Target This Total

There's not a team in the sport that's playing better than the Connecticut Huskies right now. Coming off a 43-point beatdown of Xavier, Dan Hurley's team is on a path to the Final Four — and potentially another National Championship.

The Huskies are hosting the Providence Friars on Wednesday. The Friars are coming off of an emotional win on Saturday, as they welcomed back Ed Cooley for his first trip to Rhode Island since he took the Georgetown head coaching job.

Here's Providence vs UConn odds and a pick.

It was quite the scene on Saturday in Providence when the Friars defeated the Hoyas. The game was a lot closer than many expected, but Providence was able to close the game out.

Folks, this is the definition of an emotional letdown spot.

After ruining Cooley's homecoming, there's no chance the Friars are mentally ready to face the Huskies. Not only do they have to play on the road, but they face the best team in the country.

The Friars are an impressive ninth in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, but they now run into the buzzsaw of the Huskies.

The Friars' offense is mediocre, and that's not sufficient enough in this game.

Devin Carter and Jayden Pierre are a solid duo that anchors the offense, but it's not a great matchup for them. The Huskies aren't the best at defending the perimeter, but the Friars have no chance of sustaining success inside the arc.

If the Huskies weren't an elite defensive team, I would have more confidence in the Friars making the game competitive.

The Friars' defense will keep them in it for a portion of the contest, but there's a good chance they get destroyed.

The Huskies arguably have two rough games remaining on their schedule, and they'll be the odds-on favorite to win the Big East Tournament.

As talented as the Huskies are on the offensive side of the ball, they'll be battle-tested against the Friars' defense. Luckily for them, big man Donovan Clingan is a matchup nightmare for any opposing team.

The offense is slow, but the Huskies are comfortable getting out in transition. I expect their defense to dominate throughout the contest and turn the game into a slow-paced grinder.

Guard Tristen Newton is playing like an All-American, and he has the ability to lead the Huskies back to the promised land. His defensive ability will patrol the perimeter against a solid Friars backcourt.

The reason I'm hesitant about laying the points with the Huskies is I could see their offense taking a step back after Sunday's performance. I doubt they're overlooking the Friars, but Providence's defense is legitimate.

Expect the Huskies to rely heavily on their defense and suffocate any offensive threat the Friars bring.

I hate taking Huskies totals because of how talented they are, but there's a clear path to the matchup going under. The Friars are going to struggle to score, and they're going to be asleep at the wheel at the beginning of the contest.

It's a clear sell spot for the Friars, but their defense has been impressive.

The Huskies are also due for a bit of shooting regression, which has a higher chance of kicking in against a good defensive squad.

The Huskies run their offense at a snail's pace, and I expect them to grind the contest out and force the Friars to match the tempo. KenPom makes a total of 138, so I think we can thread the needle with the current number.

I fully trust both of these defenses to put up a solid performance, and there's no reason to believe the Friars will show up offensively.

The Huskies may win in a blowout, but I feel much safer that the game goes under in either scenario.

Pick: Under 140.5 (Play to 138)