
Huskies are 7.5-point favorites for Friday's game at TD Garden in Boston
AI-generated summary
UConn and Michigan met in last year's national title game, which Michigan won 69-63. UConn finished last season 34-6. Michigan is attempting to become the first Big Ten team to win consecutive national championships.
No. 4 UConn faces No. 16 Michigan in a college basketball national championship rematch on Friday night in Boston. The Huskies opened the season with an 86-46 win over Gardner-Webb, while the Wolverines cruised to an 84-68 win over Oakland. UConn is a 7.5-point favorite against the defending national champions, with the over/under at 142.5.
Tipoff for Michigan vs. UConn is set for 8 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston. SportsLine's proven computer model has analyzed UConn vs. Michigan and revealed its Michigan vs. UConn prediction, and you can also read our college basketball betting preview for Friday's matchup.
UConn vs. Michigan betting preview
UConn is the fourth-ranked team in the country entering the season, and head coach Dan Hurley recorded his 200th win in an 86-46 victory over Gardner-Webb on Monday. Braylon Mullins scored 11 of his 20 points in the second half, while Na'jai Hines had 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Huskies are coming off a 34-6 campaign that ended with a loss to Michigan in the national title game.
Michigan is trying to become the first Big Ten team to win back-to-back national titles, and guard Elliot Cadeau is its top returning player. Cadeau averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 assists while also earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. UConn is a 7.5-point favorite in the UConn vs. Michigan odds, while the over/under is 142.5.
Michigan vs. UConn picks, best bets
Michigan +7.5
Over 142.5 points
Michigan +7.5
Michigan defeated UConn in last year's national championship game, 69-63. The Wolverines lost their top-three scorers to the NBA, but they return scorers No. 4 and No. 5 in Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney. But Michigan was sure to replace its lost talent, adding the third-ranked overall Class of 2026 between freshmen and transfer portal combined, according to 247Sports. Michigan defeated Oakland, 84-68, in its opener. McKeney had 17 points against Oakland. UConn lost its top two scorers from last year to the NBA, and the model projects Michigan to cover in 51% of simulations.
Over 142.5 points

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No. 16 Michigan faces No. 4 Connecticut in a 2026 Hall of Fame Series rematch of last year's NCAA championship at TD Garden in Boston. Michigan won its opener 84-68 over Oakland; UConn beat Gardner Webb 86-46. UConn is a 7.5-point favorite with the over/under at 141.5. SportsLine's projection model projects the Over at 149 points and identifies Kenny Noland, Moustapha Thiam, Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins, and Silas Demary Jr. as likely double-digit scorers.

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