UConn Faces Michigan in Boston Title Rematch

No. 4 UConn plays No. 16 Michigan in a national championship rematch on Friday at TD Garden in Boston. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET. The two teams met in last year's final, where Michigan won 69-63. UConn is a 7.5-point favorite, and the total points line is set at 142.5.

Head coach Dan Hurley reached his 200th career win on Monday. He led the Huskies to an 86-46 victory over Gardner-Webb. Braylon Mullins scored 20 points in that game. He finished with 11 of those points in the second half. Na'jai Hines added 12 points and 12 rebounds. UConn finished last season with a 34-6 record.

Michigan aims to become the first Big Ten team to win consecutive national titles. The Wolverines opened their season with an 84-68 win over Oakland. Trey McKenney led the team with 17 points. Roddy Gayle Jr. also scored 17 points. Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella added 15 points.

Guard Elliot Cadeau returns as Michigan's top player. He averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 assists last season. He also received Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. Michigan lost its top three scorers to the NBA. However, the team added the third-ranked overall Class of 2026, according to 247Sports.

UConn also lost its top two scorers to the NBA. The betting market lists UConn at minus 310 on the money line. That means a bettor must risk $310 to win $100. The over/under stands at 142.5 points for the matchup.

SportsLine's computer model analyzed the projected scores. It projects Michigan to cover the 7.5-point spread in 51% of simulations. The model also predicts the total score will go over 142.5 points in 69% of simulations. Both teams are retooling their rosters with new transfers.

Defensive chemistry often takes time to develop this early in the season. Michigan ranked ninth in the nation at 87.3 points per game last year. UConn's Mullins averaged 12 points per game before his 20-point performance in the opener. The Huskies will face a Michigan team that returns strong offensive depth.