Posted at 11:30 AM EST. Odds subject to change.

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Creighton +6 over UConn

Gampel Pavilion - Storrs, CT

Streaming: FS1

7:00 PM EST. The Huskies of UConn have vaulted into the #1 position in the nation with a 15-2 record that includes an 80-67 win over Georgetown on Sunday. It’s a major accomplishment for any team to have time at the top during the season, but the Huskies' path to that position has more to do with those top teams around them falling like flies. UConn rose from #4 to #1 in the AP poll for the first time since 2009. While they are ranked #1 in the polls, the Huskies are #8 in the power rankings, good but not #1, and they have built their reputation on a weak non-conference schedule that ranks 295 out of 362 schools in Division I hoops.

During their non-conference run, the Huskies feasted on cupcakes like Northern Arizona (#322), Stonehill (Div. II), Mississippi Valley State (#362), Manhattan (#342), New Hampshire (#216), and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (#346). UConn is 5-1 in Big East play, where they have won five straight after losing to Seton Hall on their first night of conference action.

Creighton is 13-4, but the Bluejays have played a much more difficult non-conference schedule that ranks 68th (of 362), which has them ranked 13th in the power rankings. When looking at the Bluejays' run to Big East play, they knocked off Alabama (#6), UNLV (#85), Nebraska (#49), Oklahoma State (#115), Colorado State (#31), Loyola-Chicago (#119), and Iowa (#43). Thus far in Big East action, the Bluejays are 4-2, but their losses came to Villanova (#26) in overtime and on the road at #10 Marquette, where Creighton would drop a five-point decision.

Strip away the records and the pedigree a blue blood program like the Huskies brings to this game, and it’s clear that UConn is spotting inflated points here in what is a potentially profitable situation with it wearing a huge target on its back after hitting #1. A week ago, the Bluejays would not likely have had a chance to get a win over the top team in the nation but those chips fell their way, and coach Greg McDermott is not going to let his team gloss over that opportunity. Make no mistake, the Bluejays are very capable of winning this game outright, but we are more than happy to put these inflated points in our back pockets.

Sherwood

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