UConn Dominates Xavier in Convincing Win
Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 5:00 PM ET · Cintas Center
UConn Huskies 90, Xavier Musketeers 67, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won UConn Huskies vs Xavier Musketeers?
UConn Huskies beat Xavier Musketeers 90-67 at Cintas Center on December 31, 2025.
Who was favored in UConn Huskies vs Xavier Musketeers?
UConn Huskies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -800 (about 89% implied). The favorite won.
The UConn Huskies showcased their dominance with a decisive 90-67 victory over the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center. This game highlighted UConn’s impressive away record of 13-1, further solidifying their status as a formidable opponent this season. Meanwhile, Xavier, with a home record of 9-5, struggled to keep pace with the high-scoring Huskies, who have now extended their winning streak to eight games.
In the lead-up to the game, both teams had shown contrasting recent forms. Xavier entered the matchup with a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, including a recent victory against the Georgetown Hoyas on December 21, where they won 80-77. However, they faced a setback against the Creighton Bluejays, losing 57-98 on December 17. Their last five games yielded a record of 4-1, with an average of 77.4 points scored and 76.0 points allowed. At home, they maintained a solid record of 6-2.
UConn, on the other hand, had been on a remarkable run, winning nine out of their last ten games. They recently defeated the DePaul Blue Demons 72-54 on December 21, and had notable wins against teams like the Butler Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns. Their scoring average in the last five games stood at 76.4 points, while they allowed only 61.8 points, showcasing their defensive strength. UConn’s away record was perfect at 2-0, adding to their confidence going into the game.
The previous meetings between these two teams this season had seen both sides claim a victory. UConn won the earlier matchup on December 19, 2024, with a score of 94-89, while Xavier had claimed a win on January 26, 2025, with a score of 76-72. This fixture was anticipated as a crucial encounter, given their evenly matched history.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details regarding player availability, but it is essential to consider how injuries can impact team performance in high-stakes games like this.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had UConn favored with a spread of 11.5 points, indicating strong expectations for their performance. The total points line was set at 144.5, reflecting the anticipated scoring capabilities of both teams. UConn's moneyline was listed at -800, while Xavier's was at +550, further emphasizing UConn's status as the favorite.
The game conditions were conducive to a competitive atmosphere, with both teams eager to assert their dominance. UConn's ability to score efficiently and defend effectively was on full display throughout the game. The final scoring plays illustrated UConn's control, with players like Filip Borovicanin and Isaiah Walker contributing crucial free throws in the closing moments, while Jacob Furphy and Uroš Paunovic added to the scoring with impactful shots.
As the game concluded, UConn's victory not only highlighted their current form but also raised questions about Xavier's ability to compete against top-tier teams moving forward. The Musketeers will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities if they hope to improve their standing in the league.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CONN -11.5 | 144.5 o -105 / u -115 | UConn Huskies -800 · Xavier Musketeers +550 |
Leaders
- PointsMalik Messina-Moore16Xavier Musketeers
- AssistsFilip Borovicanin6Xavier Musketeers
- ReboundsFilip Borovicanin11Xavier Musketeers
- PointsAlex Karaban19UConn Huskies
- AssistsSilas Demary Jr.7UConn Huskies
- ReboundsTarris Reed Jr.8UConn Huskies
Recent form
Xavier Musketeers
Last 10: 7-3Streak W179.1 scored · 74.3 allowed per game6-2 at home
- W80-77at Georgetown HoyasDec 21
- L57-98vs Creighton BluejaysDec 17
- W75-57vs Missouri State BearsDec 13
- W79-74vs Cincinnati BearcatsDec 6
- W96-74vs Saint Francis Red WolvesDec 2
- W88-67vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersNov 28
- W78-68vs West Virginia MountaineersNov 23
- L77-78vs Georgia BulldogsNov 22
- W99-69vs Old Dominion MonarchsNov 19
- L62-81at Iowa HawkeyesNov 15
UConn Huskies
Last 10: 9-1Streak W874.2 scored · 63 allowed per game2-0 away
- W72-54at DePaul Blue DemonsDec 21
- W79-60vs Butler BulldogsDec 17
- W71-63vs Texas LonghornsDec 13
- W77-73vs Florida GatorsDec 10
- W83-59vs East Texas A&M LionsDec 6
- W61-56at Kansas JayhawksDec 3
- W74-61vs Illinois Fighting IlliniNov 28
- W72-49vs Bryant BulldogsNov 23
- L67-71vs Arizona WildcatsNov 20
- W86-84vs BYU CougarsNov 16
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's | 30-7 | - | 18-2 |
| UConn | 34-6 | 1 | 17-3 |
| Villanova | 24-9 | 3 | 15-5 |
| Seton Hall | 21-12 | 8 | 10-10 |
| Creighton | 16-18 | 9 | 9-11 |
| DePaul | 16-16 | 10 | 8-12 |
| Butler | 16-16 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Providence | 15-18 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Marquette | 12-20 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Georgetown | 16-18 | 12 | 6-14 |
| Xavier | 15-18 | 12 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | UConn Huskies | Xavier Musketeers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 33-62 | 24-56 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 43 |
| Three-pointers | 13-28 | 4-18 |
| Three-point % | 46 | 22 |
| Free throws | 11-14 | 15-22 |
| Free throw % | 79 | 68 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 26 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 5 |
| Defensive rebounds | 32 | 21 |
| Assists | 26 | 18 |
| Steals | 8 | 8 |
| Blocks | 3 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 17 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 38 |
| Fouls | 19 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 25 | 0 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 97 | 0 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half51-34Solo Ball makes layup (Braylon Mullins assists)
- 2nd Half51-36Malik Messina-Moore makes driving layup (Tre Carroll assists)
- 2nd Half53-36Tarris Reed Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half53-38Malik Messina-Moore makes 19-foot pullup jump shot (Tre Carroll assists)
- 2nd Half53-40Roddie Anderson III makes driving layup (Filip Borovicanin assists)
- 2nd Half56-40Solo Ball makes 27-foot three point jumper (Tarris Reed Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half59-40Malachi Smith makes 23-foot three point jumper (Alex Karaban assists)
- 2nd Half59-41Roddie Anderson III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-41Malachi Smith makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-42Tre Carroll makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-42Eric Reibe makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Solo Ball assists)
- 2nd Half65-42Solo Ball makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-42Solo Ball makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half66-45Malik Messina-Moore makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tre Carroll assists)
- 2nd Half68-45Jaylin Stewart makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half68-47Jovan Milicevic makes driving layup (Filip Borovicanin assists)
- 2nd Half69-47Jaylin Stewart makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-47Braylon Mullins makes 16-foot jumper (Eric Reibe assists)
- 2nd Half71-50Malik Messina-Moore makes 25-foot three point jumper (Filip Borovicanin assists)
- 2nd Half74-50Braylon Mullins makes 23-foot three point jumper (Eric Reibe assists)
- 2nd Half74-51Malik Messina-Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-52Malik Messina-Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-52Alex Karaban makes 25-foot three point jumper (Silas Demary Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half77-54Filip Borovicanin makes 12-foot jumper (All Wright assists)
- 2nd Half77-57Pape N'Diaye makes 27-foot three point jumper (Roddie Anderson III assists)
- 2nd Half79-57Eric Reibe makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half79-59Filip Borovicanin makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half80-59Silas Demary Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half81-59Silas Demary Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-61Roddie Anderson III makes driving layup (Jovan Milicevic assists)
- 2nd Half84-61Alex Karaban makes 26-foot three point jumper (Silas Demary Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half86-61Jaylin Stewart makes layup (Silas Demary Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half86-62Filip Borovicanin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-63Filip Borovicanin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half86-64Isaiah Walker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-65Isaiah Walker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half88-65Jacob Furphy makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half88-66Roddie Anderson III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half88-67Roddie Anderson III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half90-67Uroš Paunovic makes 16-foot pullup jump shot (Alec Millender assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Xavier Musketeers, below favours UConn Huskies.
Venue
- Cintas CenterCincinnati, OH
- Attendance9825
- OfficialsBrian O'Connell, John Gaffney, Tony Henderson
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
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- UConn Dominates Xavier in Conference MatchupMar 12, 2026
- UConn Dominates Xavier in 92-60 VictoryFeb 3, 2026