With your NCAA bracket already (probably) broken, if you plan to cut a few dollars in men’s and women’s games this weekend, let’s break the Final Four matchups. Hopefully, this piece will help you make a known decision.
(Editor’s note: All betting lines are courtesy of Sports Interaction and present as of publication time.)
NCAA Men’s Final Four
Direct – the winner
Duke Blue Devils (+149): It’s hard for many fans to root for Duke – whether it’s for Bill Gates to win the lottery or for Brad Pitt to rejoice as the sexiest man alive – but there’s a lot more passion for Mike Krzyzewski at sunset as a champion in his final season. If the coach wants to win his sixth and final national championship, he will do so with his offense. The Blue Devils are currently ranked No. 1 in Ken Pomeroy’s College Basketball Rating with a consistent offensive prowess of 121.0 points per 100 points.
Kansas Jehaks (+186): Jonahs is the best team overall in the rest of the tournament, keeping the theme of Ken Pom’s ranking. Kansas is in the top 20 in terms of consistent offensive skills (7th) and defensive skills (18th). Bill Self’s team is an experienced-loaded squad highlighted by Ochai Agbaji, a national player of the year finalist and NBA prospect Christian Brown.
North Carolina Ter Hills (+458): Tar Hills returns to the final four for the third time in the last six March Madness Tournament. North Carolina coach Mike Krzyzewski’s impressive 94-81 win over Duke in his last home game in the final four as the No. 8 pick. The Ter Hills won 10-1 overall in their last 11 games with an average of 13.3 points.
Villanova Wild Cat (+479): Wildcats win red-hot and nine games in a row, but injury bug hit Villanova hard. Standout guard Justin Moore has been ruled out indefinitely after suffering a heart-wrenching Achilles injury in the final minutes of their 50-44 win over Houston in the Elite Eight. Moore was the second-highest scorer for Nova, averaging 14.6 points per game.
(2) Villanova Wildcats vs. (1) Kansas Jayhawks
Saturday 6:09 pm ET
Pointsspread
Villanova +4.0 -110 Kansas -4.0 -110
Moneyline
Villanova +158 Kansas -190
Up and down
More than 133.0 -105 Under 133.0 -114
Both the Joaquins and the Wildcats are running a nine-game winning streak and have also been a banking machine in contrast to the numbers lately. Kansas and Villanova are 9-1 against the Spreads in their last 10 games.
The Wildcats, however, have a 4-0 ATS overall in their last four games and a brilliant 21-6 ATS in their last March 27 Madness tournament games. The Jayhawks, meanwhile, have been tough against numbers in their last eight games going 6-2 ATS overall.
If you do not decide on the spread, then the total is probably what you want to consider. Jayhawks and Wildcats got involved while scorching under was hot. Kansas 7-3 overall in the last 10 games and 7-3 in their last 10 games as favorites. In all, six of the last seven Villanova games have gone down in total, and a 14-3 lead in their last 17 games since the win against Spread.
Sort: With the Wildcats guard Moore out, and why both teams have Pom’s consistent defensive skills metric in the top-20, I think points in this matchup will be a premium. I know rooting is not fun but take a total of 133.0 to go to UNDER -114.
(8) North Carolina Ter Hills vs. (2) Duke Blue Devils
Saturday 8:49 pm ET
Pointsspread
North Carolina +4.0 -101 Duke-4.0 -119
Moneyline
North Carolina +166 Duke -200
Up and down
Over 151.0 -110 Under 151.0 -110
Do you believe in revenge? Ter Hills ruined Coach K’s final at the Cameron Indoor Stadium last month with a 94-81 victory over Duke just before the start of the tournament. These long-time rivals will meet for the first time in March Madness.
The Blue Devils, though, have been riding the bus of struggle lately when the point spreads. Duke 3-7 ATS in their last 10 NCAA Tournament games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite. North Carolina, meanwhile, has a perfect 4-0 against the spread overall in their last four games and 4-0 ATS in their last four games as an underdog.
Let’s talk about it, shall we? Unlike openers, when these teams are playing, the game will see a lot of points with the roll over lately. Duke’s last four overs have a record of 4-0 straight wins against a team and 8-2 in their last 10. North Carolina has a record of 6-0 wins against a team in their last six. These teams flew a total of 22 points in their last meeting just a few weeks ago.
Sort: If you’re at the end of the story book (and who isn’t), Duke plays here. The Blue Devils have the country’s top offense and are led by star freshman Paolo Banchero. I will bite the story of revenge here and bring him a final title before the coach retires. I know Duke hasn’t been good against numbers lately, but I’m taking the Blue Devils here. -4.0 A. -119.
NCAA Women’s Final Four
(1) Louisville v South Carolina (1)
Friday 7:00 pm ET
South Carolina entered the matchup with the best record in the country 29-2. Gamecocks were also No. 1 overall in scoring margins this season, winning an average of 20.6 points per game. While South Carolina shoots more than 42.6 percent off the field, they are as unrealistic as 20-0 this year.
The magic number for Louisville is ৷ 50 The Cardinals have a great 29-4 সময় while making more than 50 points this season Here’s another important number to keep an eye on if you’re betting this game live: Lewisville made a ridiculous 15-0 when making 6.1 three-pointers per game this season.
Pointsspread
Louisville +8.5 -110 South Carolina -8.5 -110
Moneyline
Louisville +311 South Carolina -380
Up and down
More than 118.5 -110 Below 118.5 -110
Connecticut vs. Stanford (1)
Friday 9:30 pm ET
Much like Louisville, Stanford has its own magic number. The Cardinals are 32-2 in games where they score more than 55 points. Cameron Brink will have to carry the mail again for Stanford. Brink leads the Cardinals in both scoring and rebounding with 13.4 points per game and 7.1 boards.
UConn has also beaten some of the opponents this season. The Huskies are second overall in the scoring margin this season, averaging 20.3 points per game. UConn is a rock tough 28-4 when they score at least 57 points.
Pointsspread
Connecticut +1.0 -110 Stanford-1.0 -110
Moneyline
Connecticut +104 Stanford -125
Up and down
More than 130.5 -110 Below 130.5 -110