The Oklahoma Sooners face off against the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Tournament, with tip-off set for 9:25 p.m. ET on TNT. UConn is a 5.5-point favorite on the spread and has a moneyline of -230. The total points expected is 148.5.
UConn’s strong talent lies in its defense, led by rim defender Samson Johnson, who leads the nation in block rate. However, the Huskies struggle with free throw defense, ranking 333rd nationally.
Oklahoma, on the other hand, has struggled defensively, particularly against interior attacks, and allows the 322nd-best 2-point percentage in the country. The Sooners also lack depth, as no player has reached 20 blocks this season.
The key to UConn’s victory lies in its ability to outmuscle Oklahoma in the paint and capitalize on rebounds. Even if foul numbers rise, UConn’s depth allows it to handle long stretches without significant contributions from any single player. As a result, UConn is likely to send Oklahoma home with a victory.
Source: https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaab/oklahoma-sooners-vs-uconn-huskies-predictions-picks-odds-ncaa-tournament-first-round-friday-march-21