Overview
- Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN from Madison Square Garden in New York in the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic.
- UConn enters 8-1 with ranked wins over BYU, Illinois and Kansas, while Florida is 5-3 after a one-point loss at Duke and returns much of its title-winning frontcourt.
- UConn center Tarris Reed Jr. missed multiple games with an ankle injury and practiced fully but remains a game-time call, as freshman Eric Reibe steps in averaging about 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
- Florida’s strength is on the glass behind Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, with Haugh leading at roughly 18.6 points per game as the Gators work through backcourt shooting and turnover issues.
- Betting markets list UConn by about 3.5–4.5 points with a total near 145.5, and coverage highlights rebounding and interior defense as the swing factors in the rematch of Florida’s 77-75 NCAA win last March.