We’ve got top-seeded Florida and back-to-back defending champion UConn lined up for a second-round dance on Sunday afternoon. This bout sells itself.

How to watch No. 1 Florida vs. No. 8 UConn

The Gators were a popular national title pick after winning the loaded SEC tourney. They didn’t show any blemishes in the opening round, trouncing Norfolk State by 26 points. First Team All-American Walter Clayton Jr. drained four 3-pointers and led all scorers with 23. Alijah Martin and Alex Condon also hit multiple triples, and Florida convincingly won the battle for the boards. The game was all but a formality — anything less than an Elite Eight run would be downright shocking.

This team is deep, balanced and playing ultra-confident basketball right now. The backcourt is among the best in the country. Clayton has topped 20 points in five of his last six games. Will Richard is averaging 16.4 points in his last eight. No SEC team put up more 3s than these Gators.

They are certainly favored to advance on Sunday, but UConn is a tough draw this early. No, the Huskies didn’t have a particularly polished season, but they’ve still cut the nets down the last two years and field an experienced core that’s unafraid of the moment.

Connecticut’s offense is formidable, but its defense is suspect. Solomon Ball is a bucket on the outside and Alex Karaban forces mismatches at a flexible 6-foot-8. Freshman Liam McNeely has been struggling of late — 2-for-13 in Round 1 and 6-for-20 in their Big East tourney L.

The Huskies beat Oklahoma by eight on Friday night. Michigan transfer Tarris Reed Jr. stepped up off the bench, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds in just 21 minutes. The defense held up, limiting Sooners scorer Jeremiah Fears to an underwhelming 5-for-14 night.

UConn is 4-3 as an underdog this season and 3-4 in neutral site games. Florida went 9-0 in neutral site contests and is 14-0 against nonconference teams.

This matchup can also be streamed on the NCAA March Madness Live app and Paramount+.

Florida vs. UConn odds

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