Second-round matchups are set for the ongoing March Madness, and UConn vs. UCLA is one of the most exciting contests of this round. No. 2 UConn secured its ticket to the second round with an 82-71 victory over Furman in a hotly contested first-round game.

Similarly, No. 7 UCLA advanced to the second round after a difficult game against a UCF team they managed to beat 75-71.

UConn vs. UCLA predictions

UConn is favored over UCLA by DraftKings to win this game with a 4.5-point spread. Here are the odds for the game as of Saturday, Mar. 21.

Moneyline: UConn -205, UCLA +170

Spread: UConn -4.5 (-110), UCLA +4.5 (-110)

Total o/u: UConn U 139.5 (-110), UCLA O 139.5 (-110)

Dan Hurley’s team missed out on a three-peat last year, losing in the NCAA tournament to the eventual champions, the Florida Gators. The Huskies will be looking to make a deeper run this time.

UConn vs. UCLA preview

The Huskies missed their starting point guard, Silas Demary Jr., in their first-round matchup with Furman. In his absence, senior center Tarris Reed Jr. stepped up and delivered a dominant offensive performance, scoring 31 points and grabbing 27 rebounds.

His rebound tally surpassed the entire Furman team’s rebounds. However, having Demary on the court will be crucial to resisting UCLA’s famed ball pressure.

The Bruins also had an important injury absence in the first round, with their leading scorer, Tyler Bilodeau, sidelined with a knee injury. However, Eric Dailey Jr. provided a quality shift in his stead, dropping a 20-point performance, as Trent Perry’s late-game heroics sealed the team’s progress.

However, the Bruins also need Bilodeau back on the court to face the tough challenge UConn potentially poses. UConn has a lot to prove after last year’s disappointing March Madness loss to Florida.

The Huskies have one thing going for them, and that is the depth of the team’s roster, especially with experienced veterans. Despite missing two starters against Furman, their roster made the difference, with experienced players like Alex Karaban, Reed, and Solo Ball. The team looks solid enough for a deep March Madness run.

The winner of this matchup will face the winner of the game between Michigan State and Louisville in the Sweet Sixteen.

Where to watch UConn vs. UCLA

The game will tip off at 8:45 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026, at Xfinity Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It will be aired live on TNT.