UConn's strength is its depth, but the Huskies' deep roster will be comprised in the NCAA Tournament opener. Starter Silas Demery and key reserve Jaylin Stewart will be held out with injuries. Furman might have finished sixth in the Southern Conference before winning the league tourney, yet the Paladins have luxuriated in NCAA upsets. As a No. 13 seed, Furman took down Virginia three years ago. Though the Huskies are a threat to claim another crown, something seems amiss with this squad. It is vulnerable to an ATS defeat.

UConn has covered just three of its last 14 games when laying nine or more points. The Paladins have the size to contend with the Huskies, and a slow pace is expected with the total set at 136.5. Look for Furman coach Bob Richey, whose team upset a No. 4 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, to craft a gameplan to keep this respectable.