The Texas Longhorns head to Hartford to face the No. 5-ranked UConn Huskies in NCAA hoops action on Friday night.
While we could see a slower pace in this contest, the efficiency of both offenses has me betting the Over in my Texas vs. UConn predictions.
Here are my best free college basketball picks for this non-conference clash on December 12.
Texas vs UConn prediction
Texas vs UConn best bet: Over 146 (-110)
The UConn Huskies have an elite defense and play at a slow pace, but the total is a tad too low when you consider that the Texas Longhorns rank 26th in the country in adjusted offense per KenPom.
With center Matas Vokietaitis (15.9 ppg on 67.5 FG%) and forward Dailyn Swain (15.7 ppg on 56.6 FG%), the Longhorns are highly efficient inside. They are in the Top 50 in 2-point percentage (57.9%), turnover rate, and offensive rebounding rate.
That said, they've struggled on the other end of the floor, where they sit outside the Top 100 in adjusted defense. They are 289th in opponent 3-point percentage (36.3%) while ranking 330th in opponent turnover rate.
That's bad news against a Huskies squad that has great spacing and takes care of the ball while ranking 14th in adjusted offense. It's also worth noting that this is the closest that UConn has been to full strength all season.
Center Tarris Reed (14.8 ppg, 63.6 FG%) missed five games with an ankle injury but returned to the lineup on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Preseason Big East Freshman of the Year Braylon Mullins is just starting to find his stride after missing the first six contests.
With the Over cashing in the Longhorns' last five games and KenPom projecting the total at 149, bet the Over 146 tonight.
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Texas vs UConn same-game parlay
Texas has a win against NC State on its resume, but also has a loss to Arizona State and lopsided defeats against Duke and Virginia.
UConn has gone 9-1 against a far higher level of competition, with wins over four ranked teams and its only loss to No. 1 Arizona. I'm reluctant to lay 14.5 points on the Huskies, but they should have a lead by half.
Solo Ball knocked down 2.8 triples per game at a 41.4% clip last year. He struggled with his accuracy at the start of this season, but positive regression has set in, and he has hit 2+ treys in his last four games. He'll feast against a Texas squad that has been giving up open threes.
Tarris Reed is averaging 7.6 rpg through five games, and that number has actually been suppressed. He played 17 minutes in the season opener due to a 47-point halftime lead and logged just 15 minutes against Illinois as he unsuccessfully tried to play through his ankle injury.
He was also on a minutes restriction on Tuesday in his first game back, but he should get more playing time tonight, which will help him eclipse this number.
Texas vs UConn SGP
- Over 146
- UConn 1H moneyline
- Solo Ball Over 1.5 made threes
- Tarris Reed Over 7.5 rebounds
Our beyond the arc SGP: Reed fills it Up!
Let's go all in on Reed by adding the Over 13.5 points to bring this SGP up to +1,150.
Texas vs UConn SGP
- Over 146
- UConn 1H moneyline
- Solo Ball Over 1.5 made threes
- Tarris Reed Over 7.5 rebounds
- Tarris Reed Over 13.5 points
Texas vs UConn odds
- Spread: Texas +14.5 | UConn -14.5
- Moneyline: Texas +850 | UConn -1400
- Over/Under: Over 146 | Under 146
Texas vs UConn betting trend to know
The Over is 5-0 in the Longhorns' last five games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Texas vs. UConn.
How to watch Texas vs UConn
| Location | PeoplesBank Arena, Hartford, CT |
| Date | Friday, December 12, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Texas vs UConn key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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