The Connecticut Huskies tip off their defense of the national title on Friday, and no one seemingly cares.
A troublesome season left UConn sputtering through the Big East, and the Huskies backed into a No. 8 seed in the South Region, setting up a date with the No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners.
Despite a down year, you can’t count out Connecticut. That’s where you’ll find my best Oklahoma vs. UConn predictions and March Madness picks for March 21.
Who will win Oklahoma vs UConn?
The seeding matchup calls for a close one, with oddsmakers leaning toward the Huskies. The outright odds give UConn a 69% implied win probability against the Sooners on Friday. I also believe in the defending champs to advance.
Oklahoma vs UConn prediction
My best bet: UConn -5 (-110 at bet365)
Laying the points with the UConn Huskies was one of my first bets of the NCAA Tournament. Not only does Dan Hurley’s squad know exactly how to win come tourney time, but it’s drawn a very advantageous matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners.
Connecticut is one of the biggest teams in the land, ranked 48th in height, and utilizes that size advantage with a bruising interior attack.
The Huskies sit 28th in effective field goal rate, dominating foes inside for almost 36 points in the paint per game. It doesn’t end there. UConn bangs on the boards, snatching 9.7 offensive rebounds an outing and flipping those extra possessions into 12.7 second-chance points per game.
Oklahoma, on the other hand, has been tossed around by bigger opponents all season. The Sooners don’t have the same size and that’s manifested into some glaring defensive issues when taking on towering teams.
They’re getting bullied inside, with opponents shooting 54.9% on 2-point field goal attempts while hemorrhaging 33 points in the paint against. Oklahoma is also soft on the glass, watching foes scoop up 9.7 offensive rebounds for 11.2 second-chance points an outing.
With the Huskies able to do what they want on offense around the rim, it slows things down considerably for the Sooners attack.
Oklahoma is among the better transition offenses in the country (No. 8 at ShotQualityBets) but because it will start a good chunk of possessions after a UConn basket, it gives the hulking Huskies time to get back on defense and set up an impenetrable halfcourt resistance (No. 8).
From there coach Hurley will set his defensive sights on OU freshman star Jeremiah Fears, who is the engine of this Sooners offense. The 6-foot-4 speedster thrives in the open court and is among the leaders in fastbreak points in the SEC. UConn counters that with a methodical pace that puts this game in sand, and the Huskies allow only 7.6 fastbreak points per contest.
The game models call for a closer finish than the oddsmakers suggest, and OU could hang around for the first half. But the more the Huskies hulk out inside, the slower the game gets, and the quicker the Sooners will start to wear down.
Oklahoma vs UConn same-game parlay (SGP)
UConn -5
Oklahoma team total Under 71.5
Solo Ball 15+ points
The Huskies go hard in the paint and punish a soft Sooners interior on both ends.
Oklahoma won’t be able to get in gear against a methodical UConn team that puts OU’s attack in sand.
Solo Ball will battle inside and out — along with some putbacks on the offensive glass — to score 15 points or more.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Oklahoma vs UConn odds
Oklahoma vs UConn live odds
Oklahoma vs UConn opening odds
- Spread: Oklahoma +4.5 | UConn -4.5
- Moneyline: Oklahoma +168 | UConn -198
- Over/Under: Over 146.5 | Under 146.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Oklahoma vs UConn betting trend to know
Connecticut is 12-2 SU and ATS under Dan Hurley in the NCAA Tournament since he took over as head coach in 2018. Find more college basketball betting trends for Oklahoma vs. UConn.
How to watch Oklahoma vs UConn
| Region | West |
| Location | Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC |
| Date | Friday, 3-21-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:25 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
Oklahoma vs UConn key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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