Opening Odds: Huskies open as favorites against UCLA in Second Round
It’s a battle of blue bloods in Philly on Sunday night.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies celebrates with Jayden Ross #23, Malachi Smith #0, Braylon Mullins #24, and Alex Karaban #11 against the Furman Paladins in the second half during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images UConn men’s basketball survived their opening round matchup against 15-seed Furman Friday night, using a historic performance from Tarris Reed Jr.
to win 82-71. Despite missing Jaylin Stewart and starter Silas Demary Jr. and one of the team’s worst shooting nights of the season, the Huskies were able to advance to the Second Round for the fourth-straight season.
As a result, UConn will take on 7-seed UCLA, who defeated 10-seed UCF 75-71. The Bruins rank No. 27 in KenPom and nearly squandered a 14-point lead over the Knights with seven minutes to play, but held on for the win thanks to 20 points from Eric Dailey.
UCLA has generally underperformed this year compared to preseason expectations, where the Bruins were ranked No. 10 in KenPom, but picked up impressive wins over Michigan State, Illinois and Purdue in the final two months of the season. UConn and UCLA will face off in Philadelphia on Sunday night at 8:45 p.