#5 UConn vs. DePaul: Odds & Insights | December 21, 2025

Big East basketball on a Sunday, we are beyond spoiled. One of the best matchups on the slate goes down in the South Loop of Chicago, as the DePaul Blue Demons host No. 5 UConn Huskies. DePaul is coming off a 17-point loss to St. John's on Tuesday, while the Huskies are riding a seven-game winning streak dating back to their loss to Arizona on November 19th. The Blue Demons have been riding a three-game streak of covering spreads, going back to December 9th when they destroyed Morgan State. Can they keep this streak alive, or will the Huskies put their foot on the gas at Wintrust. I lean with the Huskies.

I will be fading my alma mater once again. Yes, I am on a streak of my own, losing bets fading my former college. They should be thanking me for continuing this run. However, the Blue Demons have to come back down to Earth eventually. Doing so against Dan Hurley and the Huskies, who always come ready to play, feels inevitable. I think a 15 point spread is extremely low. Maybe it gives DePaul too much respect, or maybe the books expect UConn to coast with Christmas break on the horizon. I lean toward Hurley having his boys focused on ending the first half of the season on a high note, before gearing up for Xavier on New Year's Eve next week.

The Fade Continues

One of the main reasons I continue to fade DePaul is because they have not played anyone. I was baffled to see them keep it close against the Red Storm on the road, considering they have faced the 43rd easiest schedule in college basketball. UConn, on the other hand, has played the 28th toughest. The Huskies are battle tested and do not downplay opponents.

UConn is a top 15 team on both ends of the floor, anchored by one of the nation's best defenses. They are elite at defending the perimeter, and the interior defense is just as strong, ranking top ten in both areas. One concern is sending teams to the free throw line. DePaul is solid at getting there, ranked 45th in free throw rate offense. Ironically, free throws are also the Blue Demons' kryptonite, as they rank 218th in free throw percentage. If UConn can keep DePaul off the line, that is a major win. Another key is the rebounding battle. The Huskies rank top 100 in both offensive and defensive rebounding, while DePaul has struggled on the glass, ranking 231st offensively and 188th defensively.

With this being DePaul's toughest test yet, I do not have much confidence they can keep it within 15 points. If the spread was 25, that would be a different conversation. This number feels too low to pass up. If DePaul keeps this covering streak alive, I may finally believe they have turned a new leaf. Until then, I trust Hurley and his boys to get the job done this afternoon.

Huskies by 20 plus.