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2024-25 Connecticut Huskies Basketball Predictions and Odds to Win the National Championship

by Ryan Cobbett - 10/31/2024

Connecticut Huskies basketball predictions Alex Karaban

The Connecticut Huskies basketball team lost just three games on their way to being crowned champions of the nation. Night in and night out the Huskies dominated the opposition. They went 6-2 against ranked teams last season and finished with a +70-point differential. They lost two conference games, but their February 20th loss to #15 Creighton was the last time the Huskies would lose a game. They breezed through the Big East Tournament, going 3-0 with a +38-point differential and claimed the 1-Seed in the East Region. The Huskies would dominate every single game they played in the Big Dance, with an average margin of victory of +19 points.

As the Huskies dominated as a team, they had five double-digit scorers and were one of the best rebounding teams in the country. They led the Big East in PPG (81.4), RPG (38.8), APG (18.7), and FG% (49.7%). However, it was not just their offensive play. The Huskies held opponents to just 63.4 PPG on just 39.2% shooting and just 31.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Their +18 PPG differential and +8.7 APG differential led the nation, while their +10.4% FG% differential was second in the nation. Tristen Newton led the Huskies with 15.1 PPG while also leading the way with 6.2 APG. Cam Spencer averaged 14.3 PPG while shooting 44% from beyond the arc and 91.1% from the free-throw line. Donovan Clingan averaged 13 PPG while also leading the team with 7.4 RPG, 2.5 BPG, while shooting 63.9% from the floor. Alex Karaban (13.3 PPG) and Stephon Castle (11.1 PPG) were the other two Huskies players to average double-digit points.

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Connecticut Huskies Basketball Key Additions/Losses

The defending champs lost a lot from last season’s team. Four of their starters are now in the NBA, as Castle and Clingan were selected in the Top 10 of the NBA Draft and Newton and Spencer were second round draft selections. Joining the slew of departing starters was depth piece Apostolos Roumoglou, who transferred out of the program and joined the Richmond Spiders.

So, after losing four of their top five scorers, their two leading rebounders, and their best ball distributor, how will the Huskies look heading into the new season? They were active in the transfer portal as they brought in center Tarris Reed Jr. and guard Aidan Mahaney. Reed averaged 9 PPG and 7.2 RPG while shooting 51.9% from the floor while averaging 1.4 BPG for Michigan last season. Mahaney averaged 13.9 PPG while shooting 35.5% from deep for Saint Mary’s last year. In addition to the transfers, the Huskies brought in one of the best high school recruits in five-star Liam McNeeley. McNeeley was the second rated small forward in the class and the 10th overall prospect. Joining McNeeley is four-star guard Ahmad Nowell (33rd nationally) and four-star forward Isaiah Abraham (90th nationally).

Connecticut Huskies Basketball X-Factors

Nonconference Games- Last season, the Huskies faced four ranked teams as part of their nonconference schedule, going 3-1 in those games. This season, they play three ranked teams (in three straight games) as they take on #8 Baylor at home, #19 Texas in Austin, and #6 Gonzaga at a neutral site. The Huskies will need to take care of business in these games, as their conference schedule projects to be weak, with Marquette and Creighton taking big steps back from last season. They need these three resume building wins in order to earn their bid as a top seed in March.

Connecticut Huskies Basketball Notable Games

Home- #8 Baylor, #15 Creighton, #18 Marquette

Away/Neutral- #19 Texas, #6 Gonzaga, #18 Marquette, #15 Creighton

Connecticut Huskies Basketball Key Odds:

NCAA Champion: +1100

Final Four: +210

Conference Winner: +125

Wooden Award: Alex Karaban- +8000

Wooden Award: Liam McNeely- +9500

Wooden Award: Aidan Mahaney- +10000

AP Top 25- 3rd

Andy Katz’s Power 37- 4th

KenPom- 5th

Connecticut Huskies Basketball Predictions

Alex Karaban will return to the college ranks as one of the best shooters in the nation and is worth some couch change at +8000 to win the Wooden Award. Another future to consider, with this Huskies team, is their +125 odds to win the Big East as they are the best team on paper heading into the new campaign. However, that is where the backing should stop. The Huskies have proven they are capable of the “next man up” philosophy replacing talent year in and year out and winning championships. However, I believe that has come to a stop. McNeeley will have a shot at being the freshman of the year as he will be a day one starter, and he can Karaban will be matchup nightmares. However, the Huskies are not the same team, and there are too many question marks around this squad to consider them as true title contenders again this season.

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