NCAA Women’s Sweet 16: North Carolina vs UConn Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 27)
- The Tar Heels dispatched Maryland in the second round.
- The Huskies took down Syracuse in the Round of 32.
- This marks the 15th all-time meeting between the two programs.
The March 27 schedule is loaded with plenty of Sweet 16 tournament matchups as the North Carolina Tar Heels face the UConn Huskies in the 2026 NCAA Women’s Tournament. The latter shines as the dominant favorite, displaying the high quality they possess as they aspire to reach the Elite Eight and continue their title defense.
How to Watch
- When: Friday, March 27, 5 pm ET
- Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas
- How to Watch: ESPN
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | -102 | +29 | O134.5 |
| UConn | -128 | -29 | U134.5 |
Game Preview
The Tar Heels (28-7) have great momentum in March Madness, blowing out Western Illinois in the Round of 64 and taking down Maryland in the second round. Elina Aarnisalo was shooting lights out, hitting four of her first five shots. Her 21-point performance marks her third game this season with 20 or more points, shooting an efficient 8-for-14 from the floor throughout the game. Lanie Grant put up 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Grant battled in the paint, producing multiple and-1 plays to pace the Tar Heels offensively.
The Huskies (36-0) continue building their title case as the defending champions, torching UTSA in the Round of 64 and Syracuse in the following round. Azzi Fudd scored 26 of her 34 points in the first half in her final home game with UConn. She tied her career highs in points and 3-pointers and added five assists and four steals. Sarah Strong had 18 points and nine rebounds while Blanca Quinonez scored 18 points as UConn (36-0) won its 52nd consecutive game.
North Carolina vs UConn Head-to-Head
The two programs have had 14 meetings in their history, and the result is 9-5 for the Huskies. The last matchup was in November 2024 when UConn secured a 69-58 win on the road.
North Carolina vs UConn Predictions
The winner of this matchup will take on the victors between Notre Dame and Vanderbilt in the Elite Eight. North Carolina will have its hands full trying to keep UConn’s stars in check. The Huskies will always be in the mix for title contention with Geno Auriemma as the head coach, and this year is no different. Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong have remarkable form with their standout performances, and they will look to keep that going. Our betting pick here is for the Huskies to defend a 29-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick:Â UConn Huskies -29
