#8 UConn vs #1 Florida: NCAA Basketball Odds & Best Bets

Todd Golden and the top ranked Florida Gators have a chance to officially put the nail in the coffin of the UConn Huskies’ dreams of a three-peat. Dan Hurley and company have been underperforming all season long, and I’ll admit, trying to win three straight championships in this sport is nearly impossible. However, they could pull off this upset in the Round of 32 and advance to the Sweet 16.

But it will be a tall task. Florida made light work of Norfolk State in the Round of 64, showing everyone that they are ready to make a deep run in March. UConn has now won 6 of their last 7 contests to keep their season alive, but now have one of their toughest opponents that they’ve seen all year.

UConn has only seen one Top 10 team all year long, beating Gonzaga by 6 at Madison Square Garden back in December. They lost twice to St. Johns (16th on Bart Torvik), and now face the 4th best team in the country, who is playing the best basketball in my eyes.

#8 UConn Huskiees vs #1 Florida Gators: Round of 32

Matchup Information – UConn vs Florida

• Venue & Location: Lenovo Center (Raleigh, NC)
• Date: Sunday, March 23rd, 2025
• Tip Off: 12:10pm Eastern
• Broadcast: CBS

Betting Odds

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Spread

• UConn +9.5 (-112)
• Florida -9.5 (-108)

Money Line

• UConn +450
• Florida -570

Total

• Over 150.5 (-110)
• Under 150.5 (-110)

Can Hurley, Huskies Get Past Gators?

UConn started the year ranked in the Top 25, but quickly fizzled out after losing all three games of the Maui Invitational to Memphis, Colorado and Dayton, two teams who did not make the tournament, and one who was upset in the first round. If anyone can rally a bunch of guys to take down the Florida Gators, it is the ultimate motivator, Dan Hurley.

However, I think Florida is playing nearly unbeatable basketball. They aren’t afraid to run, they have multiple scoring options on all levels of the floor, and they have a defense that is completely bought in. The Gators earn their stripes on offense by playing incredible defense on the other end of the court, making their offensive possessions that much more meaningful.

Overall, the Huskies will do their best to slow this game down, limiting the extra possessions they give the Gators. UConn struggles to force turnovers, they can’t keep their opponent off the free throw line, and recently they’ve had trouble taking care of the basketball. The spread seems a little large for me to fade the two time defending national champions, but I certainly still lean with Florida in this spot.

#8 UConn Huskies vs #1 Florida Gators Best Bets

UConn vs Florida Prediction: Florida Wins & Covers, Over 150.5

Best Bets: Florida TT Over 80.5 (-104) BetOnline

Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke. We’re going right back to the Gators to score 81+ points tonight again UConn. Although the Huskies are slower, the Gators are playing at a Top 35 pace right now, 30 spots higher than their already speedy tempo. This should translate to tons of opportunities to clear this number against a Huskies defense that isn’t all that.

UConn ranks 335th in FT Rate defense and are 316th in forcing turnovers over their last 10 games. The Gators should be able to get to the stripe whenever they please, and shouldn’t have too many issues finding a good shot each time down the floor. The Gators haven’t been held to less than 80 points since they scored 79 against LSU nine games ago.

UConn has not seen a prolific offense with this much speed since facing Gonzaga in early December. The Gators firepower will be way too much for the Huskies to handle, and I see Florida helping UConn pack their bags early.

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