#2 UConn vs. #15 Furman Prediction, Odds, & How to Watch: March Madness® 2026
#2 UConn and #15 Furman square off at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in a high-stakes East Region contest. Here are details, our prediction, and how to watch with Sling TV.
The No. 2 seed UConn Huskies (27-4) return to the NCAA Tournament after a dominant regular season where they reclaimed the Big East summit with a 17-3 conference record. They face a No. 15 seed Furman Paladins (22-12) squad that fought through injuries to win the SoCon Tournament as a 6-seed. While UConn is on a quest to add a third March Madness® banner under Dan Hurley, Furman brings a healthy roster and elite height, featuring two 6-foot-11 starters in a bid to replicate their historic 2023 upset over Virginia.
To Watch the Huskies vs. Paladins First Round game with Sling, use the link below for a 1 Day Pass subscription to TNT or a monthly subscription to Sling Orange or Blue.
UConn Huskies Analysis
- Season Overview: UConn went 27-4 during the regular season, reclaimed the Big East title, and boasts notable non-conference wins over Florida, Illinois, and Kansas.
- Star Player: Tarris Reed Jr. (F). The "monster on the glass" leads the team in scoring (13.7 PPG), rebounding (8.1 RPG), and blocks (2.1 BPG).
- The X-Factor: Silas Demary Jr. (G). The 6-foot-5 point guard owns a top-15 national assist rate (6.2 APG) and is the primary facilitator for Dan Hurley’s system.
Furman Paladins Analysis
- Season Overview: The Paladins (22-12) enter the tournament fully healthy after their starters Cooper Bowser and Asa Thomas missed significant time in January.
- Star Player: Alex Wilkins (G). The freshman point guard serves as the engine for Furman, leading the team in scoring (17.7 PPG) and assists (4.7 APG).
- The Upset Formula: Perimeter Variance and Size. Furman is one of the tallest teams in the country; if they can capitalize on their 59% shooting inside the arc and hit outside shots, they can challenge UConn’s slower-paced defense.
Key Matchup & Advanced Analytics
- Position Battle: Interior Length. The matchup between Furman’s 6-foot-11 Cooper Bowser (14.0 PPG) and UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. will be a physical battle for paint supremacy.
- Statistical Edge: UConn ranks top 10 nationally in assists per game (18.4) and features a top-25 defense that shares the ball at an elite rate.
- Betting Trends: UConn opened as a heavy 20.5-point favorite, but early analysis suggests Furman’s health and offensive efficiency could keep the game closer than the spread suggests.
Final Prediction & Betting Pick
- The Verdict: UConn Huskies.
- Final Score Prediction: UConn 85, Furman 64.
- Best Bet: UConn -19.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the favorite in the game between Huskies vs Paladins? UConn is a 19.5 to 20.5-point favorite according to opening spreads.
- Where can I stream the 2026 NCAA Tournament? Stream the entire Men's Tournament by subscribing to Sling Blue and watch CBS games at the NCAA website.
- What time is the UConn game? The game tips off at 10 pM ET on Friday, March 20, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
NCAA® and March Madness® are trademarks owned or licensed by The National Collegiate Athletic Association. TBS, TNT and truTV are trademarks of Warner Bros. Discovery. All Rights Reserved.