🏀 Furman vs. UConn Prediction & Picks: March Madness First Round (March 20)

No. 15 Furman will look to play spoiler just like they did three years ago as they attempt to knock off No. 2 UConn in the first round of March Madness. 

My best Furman vs. UConn prediction for Friday's 10 p.m. ET (TBS/March Madness Live) Round 1 game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia focuses on UConn's recent struggles. The Huskies are the 20.5-point betting favorite, and while they should win this game easily, I'm worried about how close the final score will be after they were blown out in the Big East final.

For more NCAA Tournament picks, check out our March Madness predictions.

🏀 Furman vs. UConn picks & odds: March Madness First Round

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 3.5 units | Max profit: 3.35 units

🏆 Who will win Furman vs. UConn?

See the latest March Madness odds for every team in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

I'm taking UConn to win this game by 16 points because of Furman's struggles on both sides of the ball. UConn is just 2-2 in its last four games, too inconsistent to trust covering a 20.5-point spread.

Score prediction: UConn 71, Furman 55

💰 Furman vs. UConn prediction & best bet

Under 136.5 (-110)

UConn has held seven consecutive opponents to 72 or fewer. Additionally, the Huskies rank 11th in adjusted defensive rating, according to KenPom, and are allowing just 65.1 points per game.

Furman ranks 49th in the nation in shooting percentage, but the Paladins rely way too much on 3-pointers, knocking down 8.9 per game. The problem is that they don't shoot well from long range, ranking 260th in the nation in 3-point percentage.

Considering UConn has the 23rd-best 3-point shooting defense and 19th-best shooting defense, I don't expect Furman to score enough to offset UConn's recent offensive struggles.

🔥 Best Furman vs. UConn player prop bet

Silas Demary Jr. Over 6.5 assists (+102)

It was a rough Big East Tournament for Demary, who managed just eight assists in three games.

However, he's still averaging 6.2 assists per game, 3.5 more than any other UConn player, and he's recorded at least eight assists in five of his last 10 games.

Demary played five games against non-power conference teams this season, recording at least seven assists in three of those contests. And while Furman is allowing just 11.9 assists per game (65th in the nation), most of their success came in a conference where only one opponent averaged more than 15 assists per game.

UConn ranks ninth in the country, averaging 18.4 per contest. 

🚀 Furman vs. UConn same-game parlay

For Furman to keep this game close, it will have to be a low-scoring contest. Based on how UConn has played recently, it's hard to trust the Huskies offense, but there is also no reason to expect one of the lowest-scoring teams in the SoCon to score more than 60 or so.

But what really elevates the odds for this parlay is the contradiction: this will be a low-scoring game where Furman covers, yet Demary will still get more than 6.5 assists.

Demary has been that good all season, and had he not struggled in the Big East Tournament, there's no way his odds would be as good as they are now. Luckily for him, Furman isn't Big East competition.

💵 My betting record for college basketball

All college basketball picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 13.

💡 How I'm betting Furman vs. UConn: March Madness strategy

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions for March Madness.

After reviewing the latest March Madness betting trends and March Madness rosters, I just don't see how these teams produce more than 136.5 points.

I'm only betting one unit in case the Huskies release all their frustration, but ultimately I think it will be low-scoring enough that Furman also covers.

However, if I'm wrong about the total, I'm probably going to be wrong about the spread. My most confident bet is on Demary to get more than 6.5 assists because the price is great and the latest odds are undervaluing his early-season success against lesser competition.

📊 Live Furman vs. UConn odds: March Madness First Round

UConn opened as the 18.5-point favorite at the best sports betting sites, and the public loves the Huskies, as the spread has grown to 20.5.

UConn has been such a powerhouse in recent NCAA Tournaments that I wouldn't be surprised if this spread continues to swell, though I will only grow more confident in Furman if it does.

The total opened at 136.5, and it currently sits there at most major sportsbooks. While it's gone up to 137.5 at DraftKings, the price for the Under is -115, and I have enough faith in UConn's defense to back the lower number for the better price.  

📈 Furman vs. UConn betting trends

📺 How to watch Furman vs. UConn: March Madness First Round

• Date: Friday, March 20
• Tipoff: 10 p.m. ET
• Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia)
• TV: TBS
• Streaming: March Madness Live