The UConn Huskies, under the leadership of head coach Dan Hurley, enter the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the No. 8 seed in the West Region, boasting a 23-10 record that reflects a season of resilience and competitive play against some of the nation’s top programs. Hurley, who has been at the helm since 2018, has cultivated a team characterized by offensive prowess, ranking 14th nationally in offensive efficiency. The Huskies excel in ball movement, averaging a high number of assists per game, and demonstrate proficiency in free throw shooting and two-point field goal percentage, making them a formidable offensive unit. Senior forward Alex Karaban stands as a cornerstone of the team, bringing experience, leadership, and versatility to the frontcourt. His ability to score both inside and from mid-range, coupled with his defensive rebounding skills, provides UConn with stability on both ends of the court. Complementing Karaban is sophomore guard Solo Ball, whose dynamic playmaking abilities and scoring versatility have been instrumental in the Huskies’ offensive schemes. Ball’s agility and court vision allow him to navigate defenses effectively, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates. Despite their offensive strengths, UConn’s defense has been an area of concern, ranking 94th in defensive efficiency. The defense has been a focal point of scrutiny throughout the season, particularly due to its vulnerability on the perimeter where opponents have capitalized on UConn’s occasional lapses in closeouts and rotations, allowing 34.2% shooting from three-point range, which poses a potential liability against an Oklahoma team that thrives on outside shooting. However, the Huskies compensate for their defensive inconsistencies with elite rebounding and strong second-chance opportunity generation, ranking in the top 25 nationally in rebounding margin and offensive rebounding rate, led by forward Samson Johnson and reserve big man Youssouf Singare, who provide athleticism and physicality around the rim.

UConn’s ability to dominate the glass has served as a consistent advantage, particularly when their transition game is fueled by defensive boards and quick outlet passes that allow Ball, Newton, or Spencer to push the pace. The Huskies are also efficient in the half-court when playing through the post or running staggered screens for their wings, relying on their motion-based offense and high basketball IQ to generate clean looks without relying on isolation play. In tournament play under Coach Hurley, UConn has been exceptional, going 12-2 straight-up and against the spread (ATS) since 2018, a statistic that speaks to both their preparation and resilience in pressure situations—traits that were on full display during their national title run. This experience and institutional knowledge will serve as a major advantage in a closely seeded 8-versus-9 matchup where possessions will be magnified and composure may determine the outcome. Playing in Raleigh also gives UConn a quasi-home-court feel, with a large fan base expected to travel and the team having played in similar environments throughout the season against top-tier Big East competition. While the matchup against Oklahoma poses challenges—particularly guarding freshman phenom Jeremiah Fears and limiting the Sooners’ transition threes—UConn’s edge in size, rebounding, and tournament experience is likely to give them the upper hand if they stick to their identity and control the tempo. The key to victory will be imposing their physicality in the paint, minimizing second-chance points allowed, and attacking Oklahoma’s interior defense, which has been inconsistent at times, especially against teams with a versatile frontcourt. If Karaban and Ball can combine for efficient scoring nights and the Huskies hold Oklahoma under 75 points, their path to the second round becomes much more manageable. Ultimately, this is a UConn team that still carries the DNA of a defending champion—battle-tested, skilled, and capable of elevating its performance when the lights are brightest—and while this may not be the juggernaut team of last March, they are still more than capable of making noise in the bracket and setting the stage for another deep run if they can handle business in a high-pressure opening test.