No. 4 UConn vs. No. 16 Michigan Picks, Predictions & Odds for National Championship Rematch

Seven months after defeating UConn for the National Championship, Michigan will get another shot at the Huskies on Friday night in Boston.

The No. 16 Wolverines (1-0) and No. 4 Huskies (1-0) return to the court exactly seven months after Michigan’s 69-63 victory in the national title game on April 6 in Indianapolis. This time, the two programs will square off at TD Garden as part of the Hall of Fame Series Boston.

It’s an intriguing early-season matchup between two of college basketball’s premier programs, although both teams look considerably different from the ones that competed for the championship last spring.

Michigan is beginning its title defense under new head coach Mike Boynton Jr., who replaced Dusty May after he left to coach the Dallas Mavericks. The Wolverines also lost three NBA lottery picks in Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara.

Among those back are guards Elliot Cadeau, Roddy Gayle Jr. and Trey McKenney. Michigan also added several key transfers, including former Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella, LSU transfer Jalen Reed and Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam.

The Wolverines opened their season Monday with an 84-68 victory over Oakland. Gayle and McKenney scored 17 points apiece, while Estrella contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds in his Michigan debut. The Wolverines struggled from beyond the arc, however, shooting just 7-34 (20.6%) from three-point range.

UConn had a much easier time in its opener, cruising to an 86-46 victory over Gardner-Webb. Braylon Mullins led the Huskies with 20 points, while Duke transfer Nik Khamenia added 14 and former Seton Hall center Na’jai Hines recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

Head coach Dan Hurley also welcomed back Silas Demary Jr., the Big East Preseason Player of the Year, who finished with eight assists, eight rebounds and three steals against Gardner-Webb.

The Huskies have looked impressive on the defensive end throughout the preseason, including exhibition victories over Syracuse, Michigan State and Purdue. But Friday will provide a much more meaningful indication of where both teams stand against top-level competition.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston, with television coverage on TNT and truTV.

Michigan vs. UConn Odds Today

UConn is up to a 7.5-point favorite over Michigan at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook:

• Winner: UConn -325 | Michigan +250
• Point Spread: UConn -7.5 (-105) | Michigan +7.5 (-115)
• Total: Over 141.5 (-110) | Under 141.5 (-110)

Referenced odds subject to change.

Michigan vs. UConn Prediction

Michigan +7.5 (-115): This number is simply too much for me to pass up on in a neutral-court matchup between two ranked teams that are still trying to figure out exactly what they have.

UConn opened as a 5.5-point favorite, but that number has climbed to 7.5 ahead of Friday’s game.

We’re talking about two teams that have played exactly one regular season game apiece, both against considerably weaker opponents. Neither result tells us much about how they’ll perform against another contender.

Michigan certainly has some questions to answer under Boynton, especially after losing so much talent from last season’s championship team. But the Wolverines still have experienced guards in Cadeau, Gayle and McKenney, along with several talented newcomers who are capable of making an impact.

There’s no question UConn has looked like the more polished team so far. The Huskies also figure to have a significant crowd advantage in Boston, even though this is technically a neutral site game.

Still, it’s early November, and there’s a lot we don’t know about either team. Both programs are adjusting to substantial roster changes, and it’s difficult to determine how good either one really is based on a handful of exhibitions and one regular season victory.

Now that the spread has reached 7.5, I’ll take the Wolverines to keep it close enough to cover.

• Best Bet: Michigan +7.5 (-115)

Betting Splits at Hard Rock Bet

• Winner: UConn has received 66% of all moneyline tickets and 91% of the handle.
• Spread: UConn has received 87% of spread bets and 89% of the money wagered at -7.5.
• Total: The Under has drawn 59% of all tickets and 62% of the handle at 141.5.

Michigan vs. UConn Game Info

• 🏟️ Location: TD Garden – Boston, Massachusetts
• 📅 Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
• ⏰ Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
• 📺 Where to Watch: TNT, truTV, HBO Max

More Ways to Bet

Looking for more ways to stay in the action? Florida players can find Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, available exclusively on Hard Rock Bet, a lineup of fast, engaging real money games you can jump into anytime while you follow your bets.