We’re getting the national championship showdown we didn’t know we needed — a clash between titans. South Carolina is back in the title game for the third straight year, gunning for its second consecutive NCAA championship and third in four seasons.
Standing in their way? A red-hot UConn squad led by Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and freshman phenom Sarah Strong. These teams are no strangers to each other, and their previous matchup ended in a 29-point demolition by UConn in Columbia. Now, the stakes are higher, and Dawn Staley’s squad has a score to settle on the biggest stage in college basketball.
UConn vs. South Carolina Betting Preview
All UConn vs. South Carolina odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, April 4, 2025.
- Spread: UConn -5.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: UConn -258, South Carolina +210
- Over/Under: 132.5 total points
- Game Time: Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Amalie Arena | Tampa, Fla.
- How to Watch: ABC
The Gamecocks come in fresh off a 74–57 win over Texas, powered by Te-Hina Paopao’s 14 points and a double-double from Joyce Edwards.
Meanwhile, UConn steamrolled UCLA 85–51, and the oddsmakers are taking notice. The Huskies are favored by 5.5 points and are -258 on the moneyline. But South Carolina has history, and heart, on its side. This isn’t just a title game; it’s a revenge game.
UConn enters this matchup as a strong favorite, thanks in part to their 87–58 beatdown of South Carolina back in February, a win that snapped the Gamecocks’ 71-game home win streak. That game looms large in the minds of fans and bettors alike.
But don’t sleep on South Carolina’s recent form. They crushed Texas in the Final Four, outscoring the Longhorns 36–22 in the second half. Joyce Edwards and Te-Hina Paopao are peaking at the right time.
UConn vs. South Carolina CSN Winning Probability
- UConn: 62%
- South Carolina: 38%
The CSN model gives UConn the edge but not by an overwhelming margin. That slight lean toward the Huskies is in line with Vegas’ 5.5-point spread. But the Gamecocks have made a habit of defying the odds. With Staley at the helm and a revenge narrative to fuel them, that 38% could be far more dangerous than it looks on paper.
Prediction for UConn vs. South Carolina
This isn’t just another title game; it’s a battle for legacy. South Carolina wants to become the first team since UConn in 2016 to go back-to-back. UConn wants to reclaim its throne after nearly a decade without a championship, which is an eternity in Geno Auriemma years.
UConn has been the most dominant team in the tournament. Strong has emerged as a true difference-maker, averaging over 16 points and nearly 9 rebounds a game, and her 22-point performance against UCLA proved she’s ready for the spotlight. Bueckers and Fudd are lethal on both ends, and their chemistry is peaking at the right time.
KEEP READING: South Carolina’s Dynastic Run Continues
But South Carolina isn’t the same team UConn saw in February. Joyce Edwards and Paopao have taken on larger roles, and the Gamecocks’ third-quarter demolition of Texas showed just how dangerous they can be when they lock in. Expect Staley to make the right adjustments, especially defensively, to counter UConn’s perimeter threats.
In a game defined by grit, growth, and the hunger for redemption, we’re siding with the underdog.
Prediction: South Carolina 70, UConn 68
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