UConn may technically be playing at a neutral site, but Madison Square Garden is often referred to as "Storrs South" due to the strong presence of Huskies fans, giving them a quasi-home court advantage. Since their struggles in the Maui Invitational, UConn has rebounded with two quality wins, regaining momentum and confidence. Their offense, widely regarded as the best Gonzaga has faced this season, provides a significant scoring edge, bolstered by standout performances like Alex Karaban’s 21 points and 11 rebounds against Texas.

The Huskies have historically thrived at MSG, which could give them a psychological boost in this setting. Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s position as a slight favorite has seen the line move from -4.5 to -2, suggesting sharp money has been backing UConn. With some models giving UConn a slight edge to win outright (51.6%), the +2.5 spread offers additional value. Considering UConn’s recent form, offensive firepower, and fan support, backing Connecticut +2.5 appears to be a solid play in this marquee matchup.