Northwestern vs. UConn odds: Win probability, final score prediction in NCAA Tournament
The top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament blasted No. 16 seed Stetson in the Round of 64 on Friday, setting up a Sunday showdown between No. 1 UConn and No. 9 seed Northwestern. The Wildcats outlasted No. 8 seed Florida Atlantic in overtime to advance.
Unsurprisingly, the Huskies are the early and big favorites to win and advance into the Sweet 16 as UConn pursues a repeat national title.
Here’s how the squads stack up heading into Sunday with a Sweet 16 trip on the line.
Odds for NC State vs. Oakland
The Huskies are double-digit favorites headed into the weekend, sitting as 14.5-point favorites over the Wildcats, according to FanDuel. The over/under is set at 135.5 total points.
And the money line is stark, with Northwestern at +860 and UConn at -1600.
Final score predictions for NC State vs. Oakland
KenPom Predicted final score: 75-65, UConn
KenPom win probability: 81%
The Huskies are, unsurprisingly, the easy pick to win according to KenPom. But an upset isn’t out of the question.
And in any regard, the projection of a 10-point win for the Huskies is comfortable, but a far cry from the nearly 20-point average margin of victory for UConn so far in the postseason.
How to watch UConn vs. Northwestern
Time: TBD, Sunday, March 24
Channel: TBD, Prime Video (streaming)
Location: Barclays Center — Brooklyn, NY
Northwestern rolled into the Round of 32 after blitzing Florida Atlantic in overtime, surviving a comeback and last-second shot for the win from the Owls in regulation.
And the Wildcats had an all-hands-on-deck effort to outlast FAU. Guards Ryan Langborg and Boo Buie scored 27 and 22, respectively, as Brooks Barnhizer added a 13 point, 10 rebound double-double. A similar performance will likely be needed to overcome UConn.
A victory for Northwestern, on top of being a notable March upset, would also be a historic achievement for the program, as the Wildcats have never advanced past the Round of 32 and into the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
The Huskies continued to be a buzzsaw, bludgeoning Stetson. UConn lead 52-19 at the half in a generally non-competitive contest. All five starters scored in double figures and star big man Donovan Clingan paced the Huskies with 19.