Part of the reasoning for that is because UConn is practically a tournament fixture, while Oklahoma is making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in three years. Although the Huskies (38) have made only four more tournament appearances all-time than the Sooners (34).
It's also hard to ignore the glaring fact that UConn has won the past two national championships.
With so many new players on this season's Huskies' roster, though, this is not the same UConn team as the past couple of seasons. And we also know that anything can and does happen in the NCAA Tournament, which is what makes it such a fan favorite every year when March rolls around.
UConn (23-10) has won three more games and lost three fewer than Oklahoma (20-13) has this season, but the quality of teams in the Big East is not nearly as deep as the SEC, which put a record 14 of 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament field this year.
With a couple of noteworthy exceptions, Oklahoma and UConn are fairly comparable in a number of statistical categories. It is those notable exceptions, however, that could end up being the difference in the first-round tournament game on Friday night.
Contrary to popular opinion, this is a game Oklahoma is highly capable of winning, but only if certain factors go in the Sooners' favor. The same, of course, could be said of UConn.
Here are five things that need to happen if the Sooners are to advance to the second round against No. 1 Florida on Sunday.
1. Jeremiah Fears has to have a big game
When the Sooners true freshman does well, Oklahoma's performance and success seem to follow. Jeremiah Fears leads OU in scoring, averaging 17 per game, but in his last four games, he is averaging 25.2. He needs that kind of a game against UConn if OU is going to win. Even sweeter, if Jalon Moore (16 per game) can hit his average as well in what could be his final collegiate game, all the merrier.
2. Minimize turnovers and, critically, points off turnovers
The Sooners have had issues all season protecting the ball. They rank 11th in the SEC and 216th at the Division-I level in turnovers per game (12.1). Turnovers are bad enough, but when they are converted into points at the other end, the numbers tend to add up and are frequently the difference between winning and losing. In 18 SEC games, Oklahoma averaged giving up over 14 points a game off turnovers
3. Sooners must hold their own on the boards and limit second-chance points
OU lacks size and physicality in the front court, which has been a serious problem in offensive rebounding. The Sooners are one of the two worst offensive rebounding teams in the SEC, as well as in the country. That inadequacy leads to second-chance opportunities, something OU can ill afford against UConn, which leads the Big East and is tied 18th nationally with a +6.5 rebounding margin.
4. Make free throws
Oklahoma leads the SEC and ranks 18th nationally in free-throw percentage, making 79.3% of its free throws. Over the past 10 games, however, the Sooners have shot below that percentage six times, in one game as low as .667 (18 of 27). When OU gets to the foul line against UConn, it cannot afford to leave points on the table.
5. Hold UConn below 45% FG shooting
UConn shoots a high percentage, averaging close to 50% per game. When the Huskies shoot 50% or better -- which they have done 11 times this season - they are 10-1. When the Huskies are held to 45% or lower, however, they are just 7-6.