The 2025 Jimmy’s College Classic tips closed Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The headliner is a showdown between the Uconn Huskies and the Florida Gators in the return of the NCAA tournament, the second contest in the past season. Coming into this contest, the Huskies (8-1) were ranked. 5 and the Gators (5-3) had 15.
Let’s take a look at my predictions for Uconn vs. Florida.
Conn Huskies vs. florida gators adds
Money Line: Uconn -220 / Florida +180
Spread: Uconn -4.5 (-115 (-15) / Florida +4.5 (-105 (-105)
Total: Over 146.5 (-115) / Under 146.5 (-105)
Conn Huskies vs. Florida Gators Pick: Florida +4.5 (-105 (-105)
Florida won the recent NCAA tournament 77-75 en route to the national title. Both teams look different nine months later, but another thriller can be expected. Even though the 5-3 record of 3-3 is not read, it is worth diving deep into those numbers. Their losses have come by a combined 11 points, including the odds against this – no. 1 Arizona (by thumb) and now-no. 3 Duke (one on the way). In their most recent game last Tuesday, the Gators held off the Blue Demons 42-31 in the second half inside Cameron House Stadium. As a result, Coach Todd Golden’s team should feel pretty good despite coming within one point of Duke. Thomas Heaug (18.6 PPG) leads five players rated in double figures.
Uconn’s lone loss has come in its build-up to that same Arizona opponent. The Huskies’ Season Recession wins over BYU, Illinois, and Kansas, although the BYU game was a two-point line and they beat Darryn Peterson-under KANSAS-DETSAD-DETAD of Kansas-under five. There are some question marks involving UConn right now. Leading receiver Tarris Reed Jr. Mullins has since returned, but head coach Dan Hurley said the freshman isn’t ready to play “28 to 30 minutes” per game.
Conn Huskies vs Florida Gators Pick: Under 146.5 (-105)
UConn and Florida are two of the most respected programs in college and – as always – look like two of the best teams in the country this season. Combine that with the setting of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York and this monster matchup should provide an atmosphere as close to an NCAA tournament as the regular season can get. As a result, the size – and defensive commitment, in particular – will certainly be higher.
Huskies style is a recipe for low basketball games. They are healthy defensively and their pace of play is slow. Hurley’s squad ranks outside the top 300 nationally in tackles per game this season. UConn is No. 6 in the world in points per game allowed (60.4). The Gators play at a fast pace, but only two of their eight opponents in 2025-26 have reached the 80-point mark. Their visit to Duke produced a modest 133 points (67-66 loss) and Tuesday’s game could have a similar feel.
