Uconn Huskies vs Oklahoma Sooners Picks and Predictions March 21st 2025

After ‘Heavy Year,’ Reigning Champ UConn Takes Aim at Oklahoma

The UConn Huskies (23-10) are back in the NCAA Tournament, looking to extend their reign as defending champions. After a challenging season, they enter as the No. 8 seed in the West Region, facing No. 9 seed Oklahoma (20-13) on Friday night in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Head coach Danny Hurley knows the gravity of March Madness and what it means for his team to be part of it.

“No matter what you did in the regular season, if you play well and you coach well, you advance,” Hurley said. “It can change your life.”

The Huskies are aiming for their third consecutive national championship but are far from the dominant force of the past two seasons. Instead, they find themselves in a dogfight just to get past the first round. The winner of Friday’s matchup is likely to face top-seeded Florida in the second round.

“We’re in the tournament with all these other great teams,” Hurley added. “It’s a relief to be at this point, to be honest with you. It has been a heavy year.”

Oklahoma Back in the Dance

Oklahoma, under head coach Porter Moser, returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. The Sooners had an up-and-down season, starting off with a 13-game winning streak that included wins over Arizona, Louisville, and Michigan. However, they stumbled through rough patches during SEC play.

“To have the ups and downs that we have, to have the resiliency,” Moser said. “We just got to keep fighting and playing better basketball. These guys believed, and we’re playing our best basketball.”

Oklahoma’s dynamic duo of Jalen Moore and Jeremiah Fears will make their NCAA debuts on Friday. Fears, a freshman sensation, has been on fire lately, averaging 22.6 points per game over the last eight contests. Moser praised Fears’ development and composure during high-pressure moments.

“Just his growth, watching his growth,” Moser said. “To watch him not get flustered, and to keep working at it to get better.”

Key Matchup: UConn’s Balance vs. Oklahoma’s Scoring Punch

The Huskies will rely on their balanced offensive attack, led by Solo Ball (14.6 points per game), Liam McNeeley (14.5), and Alex Karaban (14.4). Despite their scoring potential, no UConn player has reached the 20-point mark in the past three games.

Oklahoma, on the other hand, features Jalen Moore and Jeremiah Fears as their primary scoring threats. Moore’s consistency and Fears’ recent scoring surge make them a dangerous combination for any opponent.

Smart Bracket Strategy

Get the Best Predictions

Get Free Trial

Game Trends and Historical Context

This is the first meeting between the two teams since the 2003-04 season when they played a home-and-home series that ended with Oklahoma winning three out of four games. UConn enters the game with a 14-4 NCAA Tournament record under Hurley, while Moser aims to bring his tournament experience from his time at Loyola to Oklahoma’s program.

Betting Insights and Predictions

• College basketball championship odds favor UConn, but the gap isn’t huge given Oklahoma’s potential firepower.
• Expert betting guide suggests focusing on UConn’s defensive resilience and Oklahoma’s ability to execute late-game situations.
• Visit our pick page and odds page for up-to-date analysis and insights.

Final Thoughts

Can UConn find the rhythm that propelled them to back-to-back titles, or will Oklahoma’s dynamic backcourt prove too much for the reigning champs? With both teams having something to prove, this matchup promises high stakes and high drama.