UConn vs. Oklahoma: 2025 NCAA Tournament Preview & Predictions

by BettingPros Staff |
Mar 16, 2025

The 2025 NCAA Tournament is officially here! The March Madness Bracket is set, and first-round NCAA Tournament matchups are in place. It’s time to make your picks and predictions for the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament! We’re here to help as we’ll have picks and predictions for each of the first-round 2025 NCAA Tournament games. Here are our NCAA Tournament previews and predictions for UConn vs. Oklahoma.

2025 NCAA Tournament Preview & Predictions: UConn vs. Oklahoma

Here are the odds for this opening-round matchup of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Let’s dive into our preview and predictions for this first-round NCAA Tournament matchup.

UConn 2025 NCAA Tournament Preview

After back-to-back national championships, Dan Hurley’s Huskies find themselves navigating unfamiliar waters heading into March Madness.

Alex Karaban hasn't exactly stepped up with the roster overhaul, but Big East Freshman of the Year Liam McNeeley and sophomore Solo Ball have stepped up and been solid for the Huskies’ offense. Sam Johnson and Tarris Redd Jr. are forces down low and anchor the team in the paint on both ends of the court. But defensively, there isn't much else to write home about.

While the Huskies do a solid job at limiting perimeter looks, opponents have still shot well from deep when they have gotten looks off. A high foul rate and few forced turnovers have put UConn almost outside the top 100 in defensive efficiency. It's been a problem all season, with losses to Memphis, Colorado, and Dayton in consecutive games back in November despite this team’s lofty expectations.

Of course, it's Dan Hurley — perhaps the best coach in the tournament. But if you forget what happened the previous two years and focus on this 2024-25 squad, it's tough to see a path to San Antonio. Yes, everyone is 0-0 when the tournament tips, and the Huskies’ offense does bolster their floor, but their defense feels like a problem for a team that always carries high expectations.

Oklahoma 2025 NCAA Tournament Preview

The Oklahoma Sooners enter the tournament following a respectable 20-13 campaign that showcased their offensive firepower, especially to end the year. The Sooners' offense ranked ninth from Feb. 22 on. Despite a significant roster overhaul and their transition to the SEC, Oklahoma has maintained competitive form throughout the season, particularly with its potent offensive attack.

Oklahoma’s greatest strength is its ability to get to the free throw line, paired with an efficient conversion percentage, with an 80% free throw shooting rate. The Sooners relentlessly attack the paint while maintaining excellent perimeter shooting at over 37% from three-point range.

Their offensive versatility is spearheaded by Jeremiah Fear, a tremendous scoring guard who has only continued to improve in his freshman campaign. His running mate Duke Miles gives this team spacing with a 44% shooting clip from deep, and Oklahoma’s depth is impressive.

Defensively, the Sooners excel at preventing second-chance opportunities and limiting opponents’ three-point efficiency. The frontcourt tandem of Jalon Moore and Mohamed Wague is a formidable rebounding duo that makes Oklahoma particularly difficult to deal with on the glass. Sam Godwin hasn't played since exiting the game vs. Missouri, and his presence is necessary with his 16th-ranked OReb% nationally.

Though Oklahoma is sometimes overlooked, its consistency throughout the season and positive momentum make it a potentially dangerous tournament team that finally gave Moser his first NCAA Tournament appearance with the Sooners. This is a team that dominated in the non-conference with wins over Arizona, Louisville, and Michigan. Combine that with a strong finish to the year and Moser's reputation in the tournament, and it's clear why the term "dark horse" is being thrown around for this Sooner squad.

Check out all of our 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket & Betting Coverage >>

2025 NCAA Tournament Game Previews

March Madness is officially here! The 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket has been announced, and the teams are lining up for the Big Dance. Let's take a look at the early odds, previews, and predictions for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

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