A quiet Monday in college basketball is headlined by the Indiana Hoosiers (7-2, 6-0 home, 5-4 ATS) kicking off their conference schedule with a home game against the struggling Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-4, 0-0 away, 1-7-2 ATS) at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall at 6:30 pm ET. The Minnesota vs Indiana odds favor the home-town Hoosiers by as many as 10.5.

Minnesota vs Indiana Predictions

•  Indiana -9.5 (-115) at BetMGM
  

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The Hoosiers are already 6-0 on their home court and every one of those six wins has come by at least 11 points. They haven’t played the most difficult home slate so far, but they do own lopsided wins over South Carolina (87-71), which ranks 68th at KenPom, and Providence (89-73), which ranks 81st. Both rate significantly better than Minnesota (111th) at this early stage of the season.

It’s hard to find a single team in the nation that’s had a more disappointing start to the year than the Gophers. Returning leading scorer and rebounder Dawson Garcia (17.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.6 APG last season) from a team that went 19-15 overall and even won a game in the NIT, better things were expected for Minnesota in Ben Johnson’s fourth season at the helm. They finished last year rated 78th at KenPom and one spot higher at Torvik, and entered this season 66th at the former.

They managed five wins in their first six games (all at home) with lone loss against #69 North Texas (54-51) but they have since lost three of their last four: 68-66 vs Wichita State (neutral), 57-51 vs Wake Forest (neutral), an 90-72 vs Michigan State (home). Their only win in that span was over #292 Bethune Cookman.

The Gophers play slowly (362nd our 364 DI teams in tempo) and can’t shoot the three (29.7%, 294th in the nation), which has led to them being held under 60 points in four games already this season.

No one is going to mistake Indiana for a national-championship contender after their first nine games, which include ugly losses to Gonzaga (89-73 neutral) and Louisville (89-61 neutral) but you also can’t argue with what the Hoosiers have done at home so far.

Returnees Malik Reneau (15.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and Mackenzie Mgbako (15.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG), plus highly-coveted transfer center Oumar Ballo (12.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG) represent one of the most-formidable front lines in the nation. And the Hoosiers have managed to navigate their early home schedule flawlessly without that trio even rebounding the ball all that well. IU sits 137th in offensive-rebound percentage and 187th at the defensive end.

MIN vs IND Player Props

Player props from FanDuel on Dec. 9. Check out SBD’s list of online betting banking methods. 

Minnesota forward Dawson Garcia leads the point totals at 18.5 O/U. The senior is averaging a career-best 19.0 PPG through ten games but he’s only gone over 18.5 in one of Minnesota’s losses, and has averaged just 13.5 PPG in the Gophers’ quartet of setbacks.

Reneau has the highest point total on the Indiana side at 15.5 while Ballo leads the rebound props at 9.5.

Best Minnesota vs Indiana Odds

The Minnesota vs Indiana odds show a decent range as of Monday afternoon. The spread is as high as 10.5 at ESPN Bet and as low as 9.5 at BetMGM.

The best moneyline option on the Hoosiers is a hyper-short -550 at Caesars, while the longest odds on Minnesota winning straight-up are +425 at bet365.

There is also a one-point range in the game total with bet365 on the low end at 139.5 with -110 odds both ways and BetMGM on the high end at 140.5 (U -115).

Indiana is getting the vast majority of money in the college basketball public betting splits: IU has attracted 99% of moneyline handle and 92% of ATS handle despite the short odds and big spread.

The post Minnesota vs Indiana Predictions, Player Props & Odds (Dec. 9) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

On a stacked Wednesday night of college basketball, the marquee matchup sees the #2 Auburn Tigers (7-0, away, ATS) visiting the #9 Duke Blue Devils (5-2, home, ATS) at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC, at 9:15 pm ET. Auburn already beat the Houston Cougars at the Toyota Center in Houston but this will be their first on-campus road game of the year, and oddsmakers give the Blue Devils a slight on their home court.

Auburn vs Duke Odds

The Auburn vs Duke odds list the Blue Devils as 2.5-point favorites and in Wednesday’s college basketball odds and -150 on the moneyline.

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This game pits two of the top-five favorites in the Wooden Award odds against each other: Auburn senior Johni Broome (20.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.9 BPG) and Duke freshman Cooper Flagg (15.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG).

Auburn is coming off three wins at the Maui Invitational: 83-81 over then-#5 Iowa State (overcoming an 18-point halftime deficit), 85-72 over then-#12 North Carolina, and 90-76 over Memphis in the finale. Broome had at least 21 points and 10 rebounds in all three games, averaging 21.6 PPG and a stunning 15.0 RPG during the tournament.

Duke’s top-rated recruiting class has had an up-and-down start while navigating a fairly difficult schedule. They own five lopsided wins (all by  14 or more points), including on the road at then-#17 Arizona (69-55). But they’ve also dropped neutral-court games to then-#19 Kentucky (77-72 in Atlanta) and #1 Kansas (75-72 in Las Vegas).

Flagg leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists, while fellow freshman guard Kon Knueppel is second in scoring 13.4 PPG followed by junior guard Tyrese Proctor is third at 12.4 PPG. Duke currently has the top-ranked defense in terms of efficiency at KenPom, but sits 22nd on offense. Auburn is first on offense and eighth on defense. Tennessee is the only other team that’s top-ten in both categories.

AUB vs DUKE Player Props

Player props from FanDuel on Dec. 4. See SBD’s list of online betting banking methods. 

Broome has the highest point total of the night at 20.5 O/U while Flagg isn’t far behind at 17.5 O/U. Broome, who’s been an absolute beast on the glass lately, also leads the rebounding props at 11.5.

Auburn vs Duke Predictions

I have no doubt that Auburn is going to be in the mix for a #1 seed when the 2025 NCAA Tournament rolls around. They’ve already jumped from +2750 to roughly +1300 in the March Madness championship odds since the start of the season. But Duke is a more-talented team with the size and athleticism to defend Broome.

Cameron Indoor also provides, arguably, the best home-court advantage in the entire nation. Duke hasn’t played any top-100 teams at home yet this season, but they’ve also won all four home games by at least 22 points and by an average of 37.3 PPG. This young Duke squad clearly enjoys the comforts of home.

AUB vs DUKE picks: Duke moneyline (-142) at FanDuel  – 1.42 units to win 1 unit

Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 8-5 (+2.67 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.

The post Auburn vs Duke Odds, Player Props & Predictions (Dec. 4) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Mark Pope era is off to a strong start for the Kentucky Wildcats (7-0, 0-0 away, 4-3 ATS), who are 7-0 including a neutral-court win over Duke. But the new-look Wildcats will get their first taste of a hostile road environment on Tuesday when they visit the Clemson Tigers (7-1, 5-0 home, 4-4 ATS) at Littlejohn Coliseum at 9:30 pm ET.

Kentucky vs Clemson Odds

Kentucky is a slight 1.5-point road favorites in Tuesday’s college basketball odds and -135 on the moneyline. Clemson comes back as a +115 home underdog while the game total is sitting at 155.5.

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Clemson is 4-4 O/U this season, averaging 142.5 PPG. Kentucky, though, is 5-2 O/U and averaging 164.8 PPG.

The Wildcats lost every meaningful contributor from last year’s team, which went 23-8 in the regular season before bowing out in their first game of the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament (as a #3 seed). Some departed for the NBA and more followed John Calipari to Arkansas. Former BYU boss Mark Pope hit the transfer portal hard, landing four of the top-60 available transfers, which included bringing standout sixth-man Jaxson Robinson (14.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG) from BYU.

The results have been outstanding so far. Seven different Wildcats are scoring in double-figures seven games into the season, led by , and they already own a 77-72 neutral-court win over Duke as 5.5-point underdogs. Though Duke is the only top-100 team they’ve played. Their other six victories have all been by 19 or more points, however.

Kentucky is already back among the top-ten favorites in the March Madness championship odds at +2100 after starting the season as a +3500 longshot.

Expectations are fairly high in Clemson. Coming off an Elite Eight berth and returning the likes of Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin, the Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the ACC preseason coaches poll, ahead of Virginia, Pitt, Miami, and NC State.

Brad Brownell’s group hasn’t disappointed in the early going, running up a 7-1 record, winning all five of their games at home. The only blemish is an 84-71 road loss at Boise State as 3.5-point underdogs.

UK vs CLEM Player Props

Player props from ESPN Bet on Dec. 3. 

Clemson’s Chase Hunter (16.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.4 APG) has the highest point total of the night at 19.5 while Otega Oweh (15.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG) leads the Wildcats at 16.5.

Clemson forward Ian Schieffelin (12.5 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.6 APG) has the highest rebound total at 11.5. No one else on the board is over 5.5.

Kentucky vs Clemson Predictions

Mark Pope has done a phenomenal job of turning a barren roster obliterated by transfers into a semblance of a national-championship contender. And it’s stunning how quickly the Wildcats seem to have built chemistry with a group of guys who’ve never played together.

But Clemson is very good team returning many of the key pieces from a group that went 24-12 last year, earned a #6 seed in the tourney, and made it all the way to the Elite Eight. The Tigers’ only loss this season was a true road game at Boise State and all five of their home wins have come by 13 or more points. They beat two reasonably good teams at the Sunshine Slam in Dayton (70-55 vs San Francisco, 75-67 vs Penn State) and are good value as a home underdog against Pope’s newly assembled Wildcats.

• UK vs CLEM Pick: Clemson moneyline (+115) 

Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 7-5 (+1.52 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.

The post Kentucky vs Clemson Odds, Player Props & Predictions (Dec. 3) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

A 16-point second-half comeback against Iowa State last night kept the #4 Auburn Tigers (5-0, 1-0 neutral, 3-1-1 ATS) perfect on the season. On Tuesday, the Tigers will try to maintain their unblemished record when they face the #12 North Carolina Tar Heels (4-1, 1-0 neutral, 3-2 ATS) in the final of the Maui Invitational at 11:00 pm ET. The Heels mounted their own 18-point second-half comeback to beat Dayton last night, but head into Tuesday’s final as 4.5-point neutral-court underdogs to the Tigers.

Auburn vs North Carolina Predictions

• North Carolina +4.5 (-100) at ESPN Bet
• First half under 79.5 (-120) at FanDuel

Both teams were absolutely obliterated in the first half of last night’s games. Auburn fell behind Iowa State 49-33 while UNC found itself trailing Dayton 51-33. The halftime speeches clearly worked as both teams came back to win, and I expect Bruce Pearl and Hubert Davis to stress better defensive effort from the jump on Tuesday. Hence my bet on the first-half under of 79.5.

I’m also betting UNC to cover. I was all over Iowa State last night as a 4.5-point ATS and +170 moneyline underdog, and a lot of the same rationale applies with the Tar Heels. This is a veteran-laden team with a ton of continuity from last year, when they were a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The loss of senior Armando Bacot is a big one, but four of UNC’s starting five are juniors and seniors, and the other is standout sophomore Eliot Cadeau.

The Tar Heels’ only loss this season was a 92-89 true road game against #1 Kansas. UNC came all the way back from a 55-38 halftime deficit to take an 87-83 lead before a final push from the Jayhawks got them over the line.

This isn’t a fade of Auburn. Johni Broome is going to be a dominant force in the post all year, regardless of opponent. He showed that last night with 21 points and 10 rebounds against arguably the country’s best defense, Iowa State. But UNC is going to have the edge in guard play. Davis (20.2 PPG, 4.6 APG) is arguably the most-dynamic scorer in college basketball this year, and Cadeau (14.8 PPG, 6.8 APG) – the #13 recruit last year – is poised for a massive jump as a sophomore.

UNC is extremely talented and will be hard to distance over 40 minutes.

AUB vs UNC Player Props

Player props from FanDuel on Nov. 25. See SBD’s list of betting sites that accept Apple Pay. 

The Auburn/UNC player prop offerings are fairly limited, with just six players on the board. Broome has the highest point total at 19.5 followed closely by Davis at 18.5.

Broome also has a massive rebound total of 10.5. The Tar Heels are playing at the sixth-fastest pace in the country so far, which leads to more possessions/shots and, usually, more opportunities for rebounds.

Auburn vs UNC State Odds

The Auburn vs UNC odds show a full one-point range in the spread. Most books have the line at Auburn -5.0 but bet365 has it a half-point lower at 4.5 while FanDuel has it a half point higher at 5.5.

Logically, FanDuel also the best moneyline price on a UNC victory at +176. No other book is longer than +170 at the moment. ESPN Bet has the best moneyline for Auburn backers at -190. They are the only site that has the Tigers longer than -200.

There is also a one-point ranges in the game total. BetMGM has the highest total at 166.5 – which represents the best option for under bettors – while bet365, ESPN Bet, and FanDuel have the lowest option at 165.5 – which is the best option for over bettors.

The college basketball public betting splits show the majority of money on Auburn to win and cover. The Tigers are getting 96% of moneyline handle and 83% of ATS handle as of 12:31 pm ET.

The post Auburn vs North Carolina Predictions, Player Props & Best Odds (Nov 26) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

A titanic matchup is on the scheduled tonight in the Terry’s Chocolate Vegas Showdown as the #1 Kansas Jayhawks (5-0, 1-0 neutral, 2-3 ATS) square off with the #11 Duke Blue Devils (4-1, 0-1 neutral, 4-1 ATS) at T-Mobile Arena at 6:00 pm PT/9:00 pm ET. While the Jayhawks are the unbeaten #1 team in the nation, the Blue Devils are the ones laying points in the Duke vs Kansas odds.

Duke vs Kansas Odds

Duke is a 2.5-point neutral-court favorite and -150 on the moneyline. Kansas comes back at +130 to win straight-up, while the game total is sitting at 149.5 in Tuesday’s college basketball odds,

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The Blue Devils are coming off an impressive 69-55 road win at #17 Arizona, led by 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal from freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, who has already emerged as the favorite in the Wooden Award odds. Fellow first-year standout Kon added 14. Flagg and Knueppel are Duke’s top two scorers at 17.8 PPG and 14.4 PPG, respectively.

Duke’s only loss on the season was a  77-72 setback to #19 Kentucky in Atlanta on Nov. 12.

The Jayhawks enter Tuesday 5-0 including a 92-89 home win over #9 North Carolina and a 77-69 win over Michigan State, also in Atlanta on the same night. Senior center Hunter Dickinson is averaging a team-high 17.8 PPG and 10.4 RPG in just 28.0 minutes per night.

While Duke is getting instant production from its two top freshman, the Jayhawks have been bolstered by two of the top transfers in the country: South Dakota State’s Zeke Mayo (12.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG. 3.2 APG) and Wisconsin’s AJ Storr (9.4 PPG, 1.8 APG, 40.0 3P%).

DUKE vs KU Player Props

Player props from FanDuel on Nov. 26. See SBD’s list of Visa betting sites. 

Flagg has the highest point total on the board at 20.5, which is a full four points higher than his O/U ahead of the Arizona game, which he smashed.

Dickinson leads the Jayhawks with a point total of 17.5. He’s averaging slightly under that on the year, but in the two games where Kansas has actually needed him, UNC and Michigan State, he dropped 28 and 20, respectively.

Duke vs Kansas Prediction

• Kansas moneyline (+130)
• Dickinson over 17.5 points (-110)

The Blue Devils are favored because every analytics site (KenPom, Bart Torvik, Haslametrics) says they’re the slightly better team. But I love the value on Kansas at +130, which equates to a 43.48% implied win probability. Kansas has an excellent mix of returning starts – including Dajuan Harris Jr and KJ Adams – and quality transfers. They’re older, stronger, and more experienced (on the whole) than Duke’s young roster.

The same was true of the Kentucky team that handed Duke its first loss. The Wildcats are stacked with seven seniors, in stark contrast to the John Calipari years.

Kansas also has the backcourt/frontcourt balance that Arizona lacked. Duke outrebounded Arizona 43-30 (13-6 in offensive rebounds, 30-24 in defensive rebounds). That’s not happening against a team with Hunter Dickinson under the hoop.

Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 5-3 (+1.39 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.

The post Duke vs Kansas Odds, Picks, Predictions & Player Props (Nov 26) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

One of the most intriguing games of the early season takes place tonight as the #4 Auburn Tigers (4-0, 3-0-1 ATS) battle the #5 Iowa State Cyclones (3-0, 1-2 ATS) at the Maui Invitational. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 pm ET and battle-tested Auburn is a sizable 4.5-point favorite.

Auburn vs Iowa State Odds

The Tigers are also -200 chalk on the moneyline with the Cyclones coming back at +170 to win straight-up. The game total is sitting at 144.5 with the under slightly favored at -115.

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Coming off a disappointing first-round exit in the 2024 NCAA Tournament – losing to #13 Yale as a #4 seed – Auburn appears to be a team on a mission this season. They are a perfect 4-0 straight-up and 3-0-1 against the spread. The Tigers own arguably the best win of the season to date, taking down the then-#4 Houston Cougars in Houston (74-69) back on Nov. 9.

Senior forward Johni Broome has announced himself as a credible contender in the Wooden Award odds, averaging 20.0 PPG and 11.3 RPG through four games. But Auburn’s offense is far from a one-man show. Four other Tigers are averaging in double-figures and their offense currently rates second in the nation at KenPom, behind only 5-0 Gonzaga.

Iowa State is coming off a run to the Sweet 16 last season as a #2 seed, where they fell 72-69 to #3 Illinois. Head coach TJ Otzelberger gave his team an easy ride prior to Maui, schedule three home games against teams that all rank 236 or worse at KenPom. The Cyclones won all three by 25 or more but are still just 1-2 against the spread so far.

Iowa State returns a ton of production from last year’s Sweet 16 team. Four of Otzelberger’s starting five are back (his four leaders in both minutes played and scoring) from a group that finished first in the nation in Defensive Efficiency at KenPom.

Iowa State has held all three of its opponents this season to 56 points or fewer and are surrendering just 50.7 PPG.

Auburn vs Iowa State Player Props

Player props from FanDuel on Nov. 25. See SBD’s list of PayPal betting sites. 

Broome has the highest point total of night by a wide margin. At 18.5, he’s six clear of any other player on the board. Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert have the highest totals on the board for Iowa State at just 12.5. Jones currently leads the team, averaging 15.0 PPG after three lopsided wins.

Auburn vs Iowa State Predictions

• Iowa State moneyline (+170)
• Under 144.5 (-110)

I don’t dislike Auburn but this line is too juicy to ignore. The Cyclones were a top-ten team throughout last season thanks to their suffocating defense, and they’re basically the same squad this year. They have size and length all over the floor and will be able to throw multiple guys at Broome without conceding too much on the perimeter.

This game is much more of a toss-up than the odds suggest.

I am also backing the under. Iowa State’s first three games have averaged just 134.7 PPG, and Auburn stayed under 144.5 in each of its first three games before a 102-69 blowout over North Alabama on Monday.

Auburn brings the #5 D in the nation to Maui in terms of Defensive Efficiency, and is only playing at the 150th-fastest pace in the country (much slower than last year, when they finished 59th in tempo).

Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 5-1 (+3.39 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.

The post Auburn vs Iowa State Odds, Player Props & Predicitons appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

A heavyweight Big Ten/ACC clash highlights Friday’s college basketball slate as the #12 Duke Blue Devils (3-1, 0-0 away, 3-1 ATS) visit the #17 Arizona Wildcats (2-1, 2-0 home, 1-2 ATS) at McKale Memorial Center in Tucson at 7:30 pm PT/10:30 pm ET. Both teams are already 0-1 against top-50 teams and will be keen to avoid a second setback so early in the season.

Duke vs Arizona Odds

The Wildcats are slight home favorites over the Blue Devils in Friday’s college basketball odds, sitting at -1.5 against the spread and -125 on the moneyline. Duke comes back as a +105 underdog to win straight-up.

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The Blue Devils suffered their first loss of the season last Tuesday, falling 77-72 to Kentucky as 5.5-point neutral-court favorites in Atlanta. The nation’s #1 freshman recruit Cooper Flagg, who’s already as short as +320 in the Wooden Award odds, had 26 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in a losing effort.

Duke’s three-point shooting – or lack thereof – was the difference in the game. The Blue Devils were just 4-of-16 from three while UK was 10-of-25.

Duke responded with a savage 86-35 beatdown of 164th-rated Wofford on Saturday. The Blue Devils opened the game on a ludicrous 36-5 run and never looked back.

Flagg was more of a distributor against the Terriers, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds, and six dimes while four of his teammates finished in double-figures, led by a team-high 15 from junior guard Tyrese Proctor.

Arizona was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten by Wisconsin a week ago, falling 103-88 in a true road game in Madison as 4.5-point road chalk. Junior guard Jaden Bradley had a team-high 22 in the loss while the Wildcat defense was absolutely shredded for 41 points by Wisconsin’s John Tonje.

Arizona opened the season with a 93-64 home victory over Canisius (#356 at KenPom) and a 102-33 home win over Old Dominion (#311).

DUKE vs ZONA Player Props

Player props from FanDuel on Nov. 22. See SBD’s list of the best online sportsbook for payouts. 

Flagg has the highest point total of the night in the Duke/Arizona player props at 16.5 O/U while senior guard Caleb Love leads the Wildcats at 14.5 O/U. Flagg and Arizona forward Tobe Awaka have the highest rebound total on the board at 7.5.

Duke vs Arizona Predictions

This will be a difficult road environment for the young-ish Blue Devils, but they are a significantly better team on paper. Not only do they sit 13 spots higher than Arizona at KenPom (4th vs 17th), there’s an even bigger gap between the teams at Haslametrics (4th vs 19th). Both sites, along with BartTorvik.com, project a close Duke victory (with Arizona’s home-court advantage taken into account).

I also expect a bounce-back offensive performance from Flagg. He showed up big the first time Duke was in the national spotlight against Kentucky, and he’s likely to do so again tonight in Tucson, consolidating his status as the Wooden Award favorite and projected #1 pick in the NBA draft.

Duke vs Zona picks:

• Duke moneyline (+105) at ESPN Bet
• Flagg over 16.5 points (-120) at FanDuel

Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 3-1 (+1.51 units). All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.

The post Duke vs Arizona Odds, Player Props & Predictions (Nov 22) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The #13 Baylor Bears (3-1, 1-0 neutral, 3-1 ATS) and #22 St John’s Red Storm (4-0, 0-0 neutral, 3-1 ATS) kick off the 2024 Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship on Thursday night in Nassau (7:00 pm ET). Since getting obliterated by Gonzaga (101-63 away) in their season opener, the Bears have responded with a trio of SU and ATS wins . The Johnnies enter on a four-game win streak, all at home, but find themselves slight underdogs in tonight’s Baylor vs St John’s odds.

Baylor vs St John’s Odds

The Bears are 2.5-point neutral-court favorites tonight Nassau and -145 on the moneyline in Thursday’s college basketball odds. The Johnnies come back as +125 underdogs to win straight-up. The game total is sitting at 152.5 O/U with the over slightly favored at -115.

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The Bears lost four of their top-five scorers from last season (Ja’Kobe Walter, RayJ Dennis, Jalen Bridges, and Yves Missi) and the fifth, Langston Love, is out with a knee injury. Scott Drew won big in the transfer portal, though, grabbing both Miami forward Norchad Omier (the #5 transfer available, per ESPN) and Duke guard Jeremy Roach (#12), while also grabbing the #3 recruit in the nation (two-guard VJ Edgecombe).

The chemistry certainly wasn’t there yet in the Gonzaga loss but the last three games have looked much better. A 72-67 neutral-court win over #16 Arkansas (rated 33rd at KenPom) was followed up by routs of no. 111 Sam Houston (104-67) and no. 300 Tarleton (104-41).

Baylor is clearly going to have solid depth this season; despite hitting the century mark in each of its last two games, no one player score more than 20 points in either. Omier currently leads the team in scoring at just 13.3 PPG while seven Bears in total are averaging at least 8.8 PPG and 23.5 MPG.

As is the norm for Rick Pitino teams, the Johnnies also saw a ton of turnover from last season. Only one of the team’s top-seven scorers returns (RJ Luis). Predictably, Pitino landed even bigger fish in the transfer portal, specifically the top transfer available, Seton Hall point guard Kadary Richmond, who averaged 15.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 5.1 APG for the Pirates last year.

The Johnnies have shiny 4-0 record, which includes an 85-71 drubbing of New Mexico (59th at KenPom). But they have yet to play outside of New York City.

BAY vs STJ Player Props

Player props from ESPN Bet on Nov. 21. Check out SBD’s ESPN Bet app review.

As expected, the Baylor/St John’s player props are fairly clustered. Omier has the highest point total at 16.5 but all eight players on the board are at 12.5 or higher.

Omier also has the highest rebound total at 8.5 while Richmond and Johnnies teammate Deivon Smith have the highest assist prop at 4.5 apiece.

Baylor vs St John’s Predictions

If there is a home-court advantage to be had tonight, it’s going to be on Baylor’s side. This is a homecoming for the Bahamian Edgecombe, who was born in Bimini and lived in the Bahamas until ninth grade. The Bears are also considerably more battle-tested and road-tested at this point, having faced two top-25 teams already, including a true road game in Spokane.

Pitino has undoubtedly assembled a talented roster but the Bears are deeper, and I expect that – plus their slight edge in chemistry at this point – to win out in the end.

BAY vs STJ picks:

• Baylor moneyline (-145)
• Over 152.5 (-115)

The post Baylor vs St. John’s Odds, Predictions & Player Props (Nov 21) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

An intriguing Big Ten/SEC clash headlines Wednesday night’s college basketball schedule as Illinois (3-0, 0-0 away, 2-1 ATS) visit #8 Alabama (3-1, 3-0 home, 1-3 ATS) . While tonight’s game at Legacy Arena in Birmingham isn’t technically a home game for Alabama, it’s just a 53-minute drive from Tuscaloosa, and Bama is priced like a home-court favorite, laying 8.5 points in tonight’s college basketball odds. Tonight’s game will be broadcast on the SEC Network at 9:00 pm ET.

Illinois vs Alabama Predictions

• Illinois +8.5 (-110) at Fanatics
  

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Sascha Paruk’s 2024-25 NCAAM betting record: 1-0 (+0.95 units). All wagers one unite unless expressly stated otherwise. 

Few teams in the nation are dealing with as much roster turnover as the Illini, who lost Terrence Shannon Jr (NBA), Marcus Domask (graduation), Dain Dainja (transfer), Coleman Hawkins (graduation), Quincy Guerrier (graduation), and Luke Goode (transfer), which comprised six of the team’s top-seven scorers, including the nation’s third-leading scorer in the form of Shannon.

Brad Underwood wasn’t particularly successful in the transfer portal, either, adding just one top-100 transfer (Arizona’s Kylan Boswell) but he does appear to have one the country’s best freshman classes, and it’s paying immediate dividends. Early in the season, the Illini’s two leading scorers are both first-year players: Canadian forward Will Riley (17.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG), the #12 recruit on the continent per ESPN, and Croatian center Tomislav Ivisic (17.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG).

Illinois ran over its first two opponents – Eastern Illinois (112-67) and SIUE (90-58) – before a 66-54 win over Oakland as 24-point chalk. In reality, the outcome against Oakland was never in doubt. The Illini started the game on a 22-9 run and the margin was in double-figures for the entire final 16 minutes of the game.

The Tide have considerably more continuity, with both Mark Sears (21.5, 4.0 APG), Grant Nelson (11.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG), and Latrell Wrightsell Jr (8.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG) back as fifth-year seniors.  Nate Oats also bolstered his roster with some big transfers, including highly-sought-after Clifford Omoruyi () from Rutgers, plsu Chris Youngblood from USF and Aden Holloway from Auburn to help compensate for the losses of Aaron Estrada (graduation) and Rylan Griffen (transfer for Kansas).

Early returns haven’t been great for the Tide. After a 110-54 rout of UNC Asheville in its opener, they were held to single-digit wins over #105 Arkansas St (88-79) and #102 McNeese (72-64) before a road loss at Purdue (87-78) last Friday.

Alabama’s porous defense, which finished last season an ugly 111th at KenPom, was on full display, allowing the Boilermakers to shoot 56.2% from three.

Alabama may run the Illini out of the building with an onslaught of threes, but so far Illinois’ defense – especially on the perimeter – has been excellent. They’ve limited their first three opponents to just 29.2% from beyond the arc. And I expect Illinois to have its way in the post with the trio of Ivisic (7’1), Riley (6’8), and Evansville transfer Ben Humrichous (6’9), who are averaging a combined 21.3 RPG.

Best Available Illinois vs Alabama Odds

The Illinois/Alabama spread is 8.5 at most books, but the line has come down to 8.0 at bet365 and DraftKings. ESPN Bet currently has the best price on the Illini to win straight-up at +290, while DraftKings has the best odds on the Alabama moneyline (-345).

There is a half-point range in the game total. Over bettors can get O167.5 at -115 at FanDuel, while Under bettors should grab U168.0 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook.

Alabama didn’t drop too fare in the March Madness odds after losing to Purdue. A +1100 bet to win the national championship at the start of the season, the Tide are now +1200. Illinois is roughly a +6000 longshot.

The post Illinois vs Alabama Predictions & Best Odds (Nov. 20) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Another year, another Mark Few team that looks like a national-championship contender. Stacked with veterans and talented transfers, the Gonzaga Bulldogs (1-0, 1-0 home, 1-0 ATS) will host the Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0, 0-0 away, 1-1 ATS) at 2:00 pm PT/5:00 pm ET at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane on Sunday, Nov. 10. ESPN will carry the broadcast. Coming off a 101-63 laugher against then-#8 Baylor, the Bulldogs are massive 22.5-point favorites against ASU.

Arizona State vs Gonzaga Odds

The Sun Devils are +1800 underdogs to pull off an upset at the Kennel while the game total is sitting at 157.5 with the under slightly favored at -115.

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Gonzaga has moved up to fifth-favorite in the latest March Madness odds at +1450 to win the first national championship in school history.

Gonzaga’s Depth Will Be a Problem … for Opponents

Returning six of their top-seven scorers from last season (81.4% of total minutes from 2023-24), when they went 27-8 and reached another Sweet 16 – their record-tying ninth in a row – Gonzaga went ahead and added the likes of Arkansas’ Khalif Battle (14.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG last season) and Pepperdine’s Michael Ajayi (17.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG) in the transfer portal, giving Mark Few an absolute embarrassment of riches.

Gonzaga’s insane depth was on full display in their season-opening rout of the Bears. Five players finished in double-figures, led by Nolan Hickman with 17, while seven scored at least nine points. Five different Bulldogs hit at least one triple while the team shot 41.9% from beyond the arc.

In a rarity in the Scott Drew era, the Bears were out-rebounded on the offensive glass by the Zags (16-14). That was one of the Achilles’ heels for Gonzaga last year, finishing just 114th in the nation at preventing offensive rebounds.

Gonzaga already moved from ninth to third in the KenPom ratings after one game, now trailing just Auburn and Houston, and not by much.

Arizona State Offense Highly Suspect

The Sun Devils are 2-0 but there are massive question marks surrounding the ASU offense, in particular. After finishing just 14-18 overall last year with the 218th-ranked offense in terms of efficiency, Arizona State only returns five players from their 2023-24 roster, and only one of their top-five scorers, guard Adam Miller (12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.6 APG).

Now in his tenth season with the Sun Devils, head coach Bobby Hurley added seven transfers, but not a single one was deemed a top-100 player in the transfer portal by ESPN.

The early returns were not promising. ASU managed just 55 points in a season-opening win over Idaho State (55-48) as 18-point home favorites. The teams showed more chemistry last time out, earning an 81-74 win over Santa Clara as 5.5-point neutral-court underdogs.

Milwaukee transfer BJ Freeman leads the team in scoring so far, averaging 14.5 PPG while freshman Joson Sanon – the #23 recruit in the nation this year – is second at 12.0 PPG.

Hurley will be hoping for more offensive production from freshman center Jayden Quaintance (the #17 recruit), who’s put up just 3.5 PPG on 22.2% shooting in 25.5 MPG through his first two games.

Arizona State vs Gonzaga Prediction

The Sun Devils are going to be a better team than last year. Their offense took big steps forward last time out against a pretty-darn-good Santa Clara team.

ASU plays at a middling pace (159th out of 364 DI teams) and bettors can expect Gonzaga to dictate the tempo on their home court.

The Zags flew over the total against Baylor (164 points against a total of 157.5) and I expect today’s game against the Sun Devils to do the same. I’m not prepared to lay 22.5 points with the Zags, though I do expect an easy Gonzaga victory. The over is going to be my only play on this matchup.

ASU vs GONZ pick: over 157.5 (-105)

The post Arizona State vs Gonzaga Odds & Predictions for Nov. 10 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

It took all of one game for oddsmakers to start truly believing in the legend of Cooper Flagg. The Duke freshman, who was the #1 recruit in the nation this year, was already a top-five favorite in the 2025 Wooden Award odds before ever setting foot on an NCAA floor. One game into his college career, he’s the new chalk to win player of the year.

2025 Wooden Award Odds

Flagg improved from +900, on average, to +665 overnight. He’s the outright favorite at both DraftKings (+600) and FanDuel, where he’s a wildly short +430. 

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Flagg Dominates in Season-Opener Against Maine

Though he hasn’t even hit his 18th birthday, Flagg looked like a men among boys at times on Monday night. The 6’9 wing displayed his excellent handle all night and finished 6-of-9 from inside the arc plus 6-of-6 from the line, where he’s likely to be a lot this season.

He finished with 18 points, seven boards, and five dimes in 30 minutes during a 96-62 rout of Maine.

The only real criticism coming out of Monday’s win was that Flagg was shutout from beyond the arc (0-of-4).

One of the bigger concerns for anyone backing Flagg as the national player of the year is the potential star power of fellow freshman Kon Knueppel. The #19 recruit out of Milwaukee, Knueppel led the Blue Devils in scoring (22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-8 from three) while adding four rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes.

It’s always harder to win an individual award when your team has multiple superstars, which Knueppel could be. Of course, that didn’t stop Zion Williamson from winning as a freshman, the same year RJ Barrett led the Blue Devils in scoring.

Dickinson Picks Up Where He Left Off

Preseason favorite Hunter Dickinson did nothing to dissuade oddsmakers that he’s going to be an absolute beast this season. The fifth-year senior is coming off a 17.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG season last year and he started his final campaign with 16 points, six rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and one assist in just 21 minutes during an 87-57 demolition of Howard on Monday night.

While Kansas has plenty of talent, it was an unusually poor recruiting year for Bill Self and company. The Jayhawks only have one top-20 recruit (center Flory Bidunga, who will backup Dickinson) and two in the top 50, per ESPN. Dickinson could still be fighting his teammates for the limelight, though. Self grabbed two of the top transfers in the nation in the form of Wisconsin’s AJ Storr and South Dakota State’s Zeke Mayo, who had a team-high 19 points in the win over Howard.

Kansas starts the season as the #1 team in the nation in both the AP and Coaches Polls. If Dickinson can keep there there, it certainly won’t hurt his chances of winning the Wooden Award.

The other top-four favorites, North Carolina’s RJ Davis and Alabama’s Mark Sears, both got off to strong starts, as well. Davis had 24 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in a 90-72 win over Elon in Chapel Hill. Sears had 20 points, three rebounds, and one assist in just 20 minutes of action during the Tide’s 110-54 decimation of UNC Asheville.

The post Cooper Flagg Becomes Wooden Award Favorite After One Game appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

After back-to-back dominant championships by the UConn Huskies, the 2025 college basketball national championship odds have opened with eight teams between +1000 and +1800. While the Huskies are included in that bunch at +1400, it’s the Duke Blue Devils who have opened as the +1000 favorites to win the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament.

The table below lists the 2025 NCAA Tournament championship odds for the top 40 teams on the board.

2025 March Madness Champion Odds

The top team on the board that has never won a national title is Alabama (+1600), which reached its first-ever Final Four this season, losing to eventual-champion UConn.

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UConn Will Have Whole New Cast

It’s possible that Dan Hurley will have to replace all five of his starters. Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer are seniors (as is sixth man Hassan Diarra) while sophomore center Donovan Clingan and freshman guard Stephon Castle both project as lottery picks. Sophomore forward Alex Karaban is a likely second-round pick if he chooses to go pro.

Hurley has two top-100 recruits coming in and 6’10 junior Samson Johnson (5.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG) should adjust well to a starting role, but next year’s Huskies will be a completely different group than the one that romped to a second straight national championship. If Hurley is going to lead UConn to the first three-peat since early 70s UCLA, he’s going to do it the hard way.

I expect UConn to drop way down this list when the realities of roster turnover set in.

Duke Has Plenty of Variables

The Blue Devils will lose senior guard Jeremy Roach (14.0 PPG, 3.3 APG) are almost certain to lose stud freshman Jared McCain (14.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG) to the NBA, but it’s possible that leading scorer and rebounder Kyle Filipowski (16.4 PPG, 8.3 PPG) could return for his junior season. Same goes for freshman guard Caleb Foster (7.7 PPG, 40.6 3P%). And Jon Scheyer has the top-ranked recruit in the nation, 6’9 wing Cooper Flagg, joining the mix along with three other players in the top 25.

The Blue Devils went 29-7 and are coming off an impressive run to the Elite Eight. They finished the season rated seventh in adjusted efficiency at KenPom and were a rock-solid 21-14-1 against the spread in 2023-24. Their spot at the top of the board makes sense given how much the teams above them in the analytics will be losing. Duke’s odds are going to shift – one way or the other – when Filipowski makes his final draft decision.

Zags Will Be Running It Back

Gonzaga didn’t have a banner year, failing to win either the WCC regular-season or tournament championship. But the Zags did win 16 of their final 19 games and reached the Sweet 16 for the ninth straight season, where they bowed out to Purdue. They finished the year rated 12th at KenPom and eighth at Haslametrics. Their best regular-season win was an 89-85 victory at Rupp Arena over Kentucky, and they absolutely demolished Kansas (89-68) in the NCAA Tournament.

The only senior on their roster was forward Anton Watson (14.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG), the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder. Barring unforeseen transfers, Mark Few should have the likes of Graham Ike, Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Huff, Ben Gregg, and Dusty Stromer back, which is a Final Four-calibre team.

Look for the Zags to start the season shorter than their current price of +2500.

The post Opening 2025 NCAA Tournament Odds – UConn +1400 for March Madness Three-peat appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The 2024 NCAA Tournament reaches its crescendo tonight with the national championship game between the Midwest #1 Purdue Boilermakers (34-4, 21-15-2 ATS) and East #1 UConn Huskies (36-3, 27-12 ATS).

Purdue vs UConn tips off at 9:20 pm ET/6:20 pm PT at State Farm Arena in Glendale, AZ. The Huskies opened as a 5.5-point favorite on Saturday night, and the Purdue vs UConn odds have moved steadily in their favor over the past 36 hours.

Purdue vs UConn Odds

UConn is now a seven-point favorite and -305 on the moneyline with Purdue coming back at +245 to win, after opening at +198. The game total has also been on the move; it opened at 148.5 but has come down a full three points to 145.5.

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Odds as of April 8 at DraftKings. See the latest sportsbook promotions for March Madness.

UConn opened as a +1380 bet to repeat as national champions after last year’s title game, while Purdue was +2120 in the 2024 March Madness championship odds after falling to #16 Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. By the time Selection Sunday rolled around, though, UConn was the +376 betting favorite. Purdue entered March Madness as the third-favorite at +693, trailing South #1 Houston.

UConn vs Purdue Public-Betting Splits

The college basketball public betting splits for tonight’s championship game show the ATS money almost evenly split. Purdue is currently getting 55% of ATS handle on 54% of ATS bets; UConn is getting 45% of handle on 46% of tickets now that the line has grown.

The public is betting the over on the reduced total. As of 10:00 am ET, 80% of game-total handle was on over 145.5, indicating the total may climb back up incrementally before tip-off.

Purdue vs UConn Betting Trends

Stunningly, both teams are 5-0 against the spread in the NCAA Tournament entering the title game, despite staring down some massive spreads.

Purdue covered by a single point in its first-round matchup with #16 Grambling State (78-50 as 27-point chalk) and then obliterated the number in its second-round matchup with #8 Utah State (106-67 as 11.5-point favorites). A big second half allowed the Boilermakers to cover against #5 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 (80-68 as 4.5-point favorites) and a late surge did the same against #2 Tennessee in the Elite Eight (72-66 as three-point chalk).

In the Final Four against #11 NC State, Purdue went on a 14-1 run in the final ten minutes to run away with a 63-50 victory as 9.5-point favorites.

Unanimous national player of the year Zach Edey (24.9 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.3 BPG) has led Purdue in scoring and rebounding in all five tournament games, averaging 28.0 PPG and 15.4 RPG during March Madness.

UConn, which won all six of its tournament games last season by at least 13 points and its first four this season by at least 17, found itself in a dogfight against #4 Alabama in the Final Four, leading 44-40 at halftime as ten-point favorites. But a huge second half allowed the Huskies to cruise to an 86-72 win, covering their 11th straight NCAA Tournament game.

Unlike Purdue, four different UConn players have led their team in scoring during March Madness. Most recently, freshman Stephon Castle dropped a team-high 21 against Alabama. But it’s UConn’s depth that is truly terrifying. All five of Husky starters scored at least 12 points against the Tide and all five are averaging at least 11.0 PPG this season, led by 14.9 from senior guard Tristen Newton.

PUR vs CONN Player Props

College basketball player props from DraftKings on April 8. 

Edey leads the player props with a point total of 24.5 and a rebound total of 12.5, both slightly below his season averages. Newton (15.5 O/U) has the highest total among the UConn players while 7’2 sophomore center Donovan Clingan has the highest rebound total at 7.5.

Purdue vs UConn Prediction

It’s not a surprise to me that this line moved in UConn’s favor. Not only have the Huskies looked like men against boys throughout the vast majority of the past two seasons, they also matchup well against Purdue. Clingan is one of the few players in the nation that has the size and athleticism to really compete with Edey in the post.

While Purdue’s guards have done an exceptional job this season of knocking down open shots, there is no question which backcourt is superior. Castle is a future lottery pick and the 6’5 Newton is likely to hear his name called in June as well.

The line is still as low as 6.5 at certain sportsbooks, and bettors can get UConn -3.5 in the first-half. As much respect as I have for Edey at the college level, this is barely a college team he’s going up against on Monday night. I expect a big first-half statement from the expertly coached, incredibly talented Huskies.

PUR vs CONN picks:

• UConn first half -3.5 (-110) at FanDuel
• Edey under 24.5 points (-130) at ESPN Bet

The post Purdue vs UConn Predictions, Player Props & Picks for Nat’l Championship appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The matchup the entire nation was hoping for when the Women’s NCAA Tournament bracket was set has come to fruition. On Sunday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes (34-4) will square off with Dawn Staley’s undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks (37-0) for the 2024 national championship.

Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 pm ET and the unblemished Gamecocks are big favorites in the Iowa vs South Carolina odds.

Iowa vs South Carolina Odds

South Carolina is a 6.5-point favorite and -278 on the moneyline to complete the first perfect season since 2015-16 UConn. Iowa comes back as a +225 underdog to win the title while the total is sitting at 160.5.

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Hawkeyes Win Thriller Over UConn in Final Four

After a lethargic first half against #3 UConn in the Final Four – trailing 32-26 after the opening 20 minutes – Iowa used a big second-half effort to book its ticket to its second national championship game in as many seasons. The Hawkeyes led by as many as ___ in the second half against the Huskies and ultimately held on for a nail-biting 71-69 victory, despite a rare off-night from Clark.

The back-to-back Wade Trophy-winner had just 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the field and 3-of-11 from three. College basketball’s all-time leading scorer did add a team-high nine rebounds and seven assists, though.

Sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke had a team-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting, tying the second-highest output of her two-year career in Des Moines.

Iowa’s performance on the boards was a huge part of their comeback effort. The Hawkeyes finished the game +8 in rebounding (37-29) and +5 at the offensive end (11-6).

Iowa is just 2-3 against the spread in the NCAA Tournament. They failed to cover the spread in their first two games: 91-65 over #16 Holy Cross as 38.5-point favorites, and 64-54 as 14.5-point chalk against #8 West Virginia.

They crushed the number in the Sweet 16, beating #5 Colorado 89-68 as 6.5-point favorites, and covered comfortably in their 94-87 win over #3 LSU in the Elite Eight as 2.5-point chalk. Iowa ATS bettors were left heartbroken in the Final Four as Caitlin Clark missed a free-throw in the final seconds that allowed UConn to cover as 2.5-point underdogs (71-69).

In last year’s national championship game against LSU, Iowa was routed 102-85 as 1.5-point favorites. An ugly 60-42 first half all but put the nail in the coffin of their title hopes. Clark finished with a game-high 30 points, while abysmal defense cost the Hawkeyes a championship.

South Carolina Dominates … Again

The Gamecocks’ Final Four matchup with #3 NC State was close for a half, as South Carolina held just a one-point lead after 20 minutes (32-31). But in the third quarter, Dawn Staley’s team showed its championship mettle, obliterating the Wolfpack 29-6 to establish an insurmountable 24-point lead heading into the final ten minutes.

Senior center and leading scorer Kamilla Cardoso (14.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG) had one of her best games of the season, dropping a team-high 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting with 11 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Sophomore forward Ashlyn Watkins was an absolute beat on the boards, with a game-high 20 rebounds, helping South Carolina finish with a huge +16 rebounding margin (44-28).

Like the Hawkeyes, the Gamecocks are also 2-3 against the spread in the NCAA Tournament. They failed to cover an insane 55-point spread against #16 Presbyterian in the first round, though they came close in a 91-39 victory. In round two, they covered easily as 21.5-point chalk against #8 UNC (88-41). In the Sweet 16, Cardoso and company almost let the entirety of a 17-point halftime lead evaporate against #5 Indiana, holding on for a narrow 79-75 win as 17.5-point favorites.

The Gamecocks narrowly missed covering in the Elite Eight, beating #3 Oregon State 70-58 as 15.5-point favorites, but they got back in the ATS win column in the Final Four with a 78-59 win over NC State as 11.5-point chalk.

Iowa vs South Carolina Player Props

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After Friday’s subpar 21-point performance, which was 12.5 points under her total of 33.5, Clark’s over/under has been dropped just half a point to 32.5 against South Carolina’s suffocating defense.  Cardoso has the highest total among the Gamecocks at 18.5 and the highest rebound total at 10.5. Watkins, who had 20 rebounds against NC State, is not currently on the board.

Iowa vs South Carolina Prediction

I bet against South Carolina in the Final Four and felt like I’d handicapped the matchup well in the first 20 minutes. Even after the 19-point win, I was left with the impression that the Gamecocks are beatable.

I’m not crazy about Clark’s supporting cast. They play to their strengths and have learned how to complement Clark to the best of their abilities, but they lack South Carolina’s athleticism. They are also going to be considerably smaller. The 6’3 Stuelke will be asked to guard and battle on the glass with the 6’7 Cardoso. In a similar situation against Angel Reese in the Elite Eight, Stuelke got into foul trouble early and it almost cost the Hawkeyes dearly.

I’m not prepared to bet on an Iowa upset, but this is a big number, and I still don’t believe the Gamecocks are quite as dominant as this line suggests.

Iowa vs South Carolina picks:

• Iowa +6.5 (-110)
• Cardoso over 10.5 rebounds (-100)

The post Iowa vs South Carolina Odds, Predictions & Player Props for the National Championship Game appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Midwest Region #1 Purdue (34-4, 21-15-2 ATS) will meet East Region #1 UConn (35-3, 26-12 ATS) in the final of the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 8, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Both teams are 5-0 against the spread during their March Madness runs. Oddsmakers have listed the reigning-champion UConn Huskies as 5.5-point favorites for the national championship game.

Purdue vs UConn Odds

The Huskies are -245 on the moneyline to become the first back-to-back champions since 2007 Florida. Purdue has opened as a +198 underdog to win its first-ever NCAA Tournament title.

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Purdue was a +693 bet in the March Madness championship odds after Selection Sunday while UConn was the +376 favorite (and entered the Final Four at -205).

Boilermakers Distance Wolfpack in Final Four

Purdue wasn’t able to shake NC State in the first half, taking a six-point lead into the break, but the Boilermakers stretched it to double-figures just two minutes into the second half and were never seriously threatened during the final 18 minutes.

The lead grew to as many as 20 (63-43) before a late NC State run cut the final deficit to 63-50. Zach Edey, who had scored at least 23 points in the first four rounds of the tournament, was held to “just” 20 on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, along with 12 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

As Edey’s supporting cast has done (almost) all season, Purdue’s guards were efficient from three, going 10-of-25 (40%). They enter the title game with the second-best three-point percentage as a team (40.6%).

With a 13-point victory as 9.5-point chalk, the Boilermakers are now 5-0 against the spread in the NCAA Tournament.  Their smallest margin of victory (six points) came in a 72-66 Elite Eight win over #2 Tennessee as three-point favorites.

UConn Overcomes Stiff Test from Alabama

While the final score (86-72) didn’t reflect it, the Huskies found themselves tested by the Crimson Tide as much as they have been in either of the last two NCAA Tournaments. Mark Sears and #4 Alabama went punch-for-punch with UConn in the first half, which saw the Huskies hold a 44-40 lead at the break.

But UConn’s size and depth proved too much down the stretch. Freshman Stephon Castle finished with a team-high 21 points while UConn as a team was +8 on the glass (35-27), helping overcome an 11-of-23 (48%) performance from beyond the arc by Alabama. All five UConn starters scored at least 12 points and they shot 50% from the field.

UConn hardly had to break a sweat before the Alabama game. They cruised past #3 Illinois 77-52 in the Elite Eight – a game that featured a 30-0 Husky run that spanned halftime – and had a 27.8-point average margin of victory through the first four rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

As they did at the start of the NCAA Tournament, UConn rates first in overall efficiency at KenPom. While Purdue moved past Houston into second after the NC State game, the gap between the teams is relatively massive. UConn’s adjusted-efficiency margin of +35.25 is nearly four points higher than the Boilermakers (+31.31). It’s also more than five points higher than any team in the nation over the last three seasons.

Monday’s national championship game is scheduled to start at 9:20 pm ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The post Purdue vs UConn Odds – Opening Spread, Total & Moneyline for National Championship Game appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

A berth in the 2024 national championship game is on the line this evening when the #11 NC State Wolfpack (26-14, 20-19-1 ATS) face the #1 Purdue Boilermakers (33-4, 20-15-2 ATS) in the Final Four at State Farm Arena in Glendale, AZ.

NC State vs Purdue will be the first game of the night, tipping off at 6:09 pm ET/4:09 pm MT, followed by Alabama vs UConn at 8:49 pm ET.

For the fourth time in five March Madness games, the Wolfpack are moneyline underdogs.

NC State vs Purdue Odds

The Boilermakers are -420 to win and 9.5-point favorites against the spread, which is up one point from the opening odds last Sunday. NC State comes back as a +320 underdog to win straight-up in Saturday’s college basketball odds.

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The Wolfpack have the longest odds of the four remaining teams in the March Madness championship odds at +2043. Purdue (+220) is the second-favorite behind reigning champion UConn (-205).

Wolfpack Ride Nine-Game Win Streak into Final Four

NC State’s season was all but over heading into the 2024 ACC Tournament. The Wolfpack were the #10 seed in their conference tournament after a 17-14 regular season (9-11 ACC) and needed to win five games in five days to earn the ACC’s auto-bid, which is exactly what they did, with four wins coming as moneyline underdogs.

NC State’s run of upsets continued in the NCAA Tournament. In the first round, the Wolfpack demolished #6 Texas Tech (80-67) as 4.5-point underdogs. NC State also ran over #2 Marquette (67-58) in the Sweet 16 as 7.5-point underdogs and beat rival #4 Duke (76-64) as seven-point ‘dogs.

NC State’s only win as favorite in its last eight games was a 79-73 OT victory over #14 Oakland in the second round.

Three different players have led the Wolfpack in scoring during their four tournament games. Senior forward DJ Burns Jr (13.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.8 APG) is averaging a team-high 18.3 PPG, while senior guard DJ Horne (16.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.1 APG) has been almost bang-on his season average at 16.8 PPG.

Junior forward Mohammed Diarra (6.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG) has been a monster on the glass with 11.8 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament.

The Wolfpack have improved from 78th in the KenPom efficiency ratings pre-ACC Tournament to 43rd ahead of the Final Four. But that’s still 31 spots behind any of the other remaining teams.

Boilermakers Dominate Midwest Region

Purdue has made last year’s first-round upset at the hands of #16 Fairleigh Dickinson a distant memory. The Boilermakers have rolled through the first four rounds of the NCAA Tournament with four ATS victories.

After blowing out #16 Grambling State (78-50 as 27.5-point favorites) and #8 Utah State (106-67 as 11.5-point chalk), Purdue notched its second win of the season over #5 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 (80-68 as 4.5-point favorites) before gutting out a 72-66 win over #2 Tennessee in the Elite Eight as three-point favorites.

Two-time Wooden Award-winner Zach Edey (25.0 PPG, 12.2 RPG) has led the team in both scoring and rebounding in all four game so far, averaging 30 points and 16.3 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament. The 7’4 senior had a career-high 40 points in the narrow win over the Volunteers, going 13-of-21 from the floor and 14-of-22 from the free-throw line.

Purdue needed a massive game from their leader against Tennessee while their guards were uncharacteristically poor from three. The Boilermakers, who are second in the nation at 40.6% from three, went just 3-of-15 from beyond the arc against the Volunteers.

NC ST vs PUR Player Props

The college basketball player props for NC State vs Purdue from DraftKings on April 6. 

Edey has a game-high point total of 26.5 and rebound total of 13.5, while Horne leads the Wolfpack players in points (16.5 O/U) and Diarra in rebounds (10.5 O/U).

NC State vs Purdue Prediction

Between Diarra and Burns, the Wolfpack are one of the few teams in the nation that have the size to give Zach Edey problems, or at least make him break a sweat, in the post. NC State held 7’1 Duke center Kyle Filipowski to just 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting from the field. Marquette’s frontcourt pair of Oso Ighodaro and David Joplin combined for just 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting in the Sweet 16.

I actually see this game coming down to Purdue’s guard play. If Loyer and Jones are hot from three, the Boilermakers are apt to run away with a double-digit victory. But if they’re a little off again, like they were against Tennessee, the Wolfpack will keep it close.

On the biggest state, under the brightest lights, I don’t expect a lights-out performance from three (from either team), and that’s going to be a bigger problem for Purdue when it comes to covering a 9.5-point spread.

NC State vs Purdue picks: 

• NC State +9.5 (-120)
• Edey under 26.5 points (-105)

The post NC State vs Purdue Predictions, Player Props & Odds for the Final Four appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Connecticut Huskies are set to clash in the March Madness Final Four on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:49 PM ET and the game will be televised on TBS.

The Huskies enter as sizable 11.5-point favorites with the over/under total set at 160.5 points. Will Dan Hurley’s team be able to cover the spread, or do the Crimson Tide offer underdog value?

Let’s delve into our Alabama vs UConn prediction, as we analyze the odds and provide expert picks for Saturday’s March Madness game.

Alabama vs UConn Odds

In the Alabama vs UConn odds, the Huskies are massive -800 favorites to win the game outright, giving them 89% implied win probability.

The latest 2024 March Madness odds show Connecticut as the -205 repeat favorite, while Alabama is a +1729 longshot.

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Alabama Betting Analysis

Alabama (25-11) has been one of the most exciting teams to watch in this year’s NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide’s up-tempo, high-scoring offense has propelled them to their first Final Four appearance in program history.

Led by senior guard Mark Sears, who is averaging 21.5 points and 4.0 assists per game, Alabama has put up at least 89 points in three of their four tournament wins. Sears has been on fire from beyond the arc, draining 17 three-pointers at a 41% clip so far in the Big Dance.

Mark Sears hits from #MarchMadness @AlabamaMBB pic.twitter.com/BmWOzk7Kfz

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 31, 2024

The Tide also get major contributions from senior guard Aaron Estrada (13.3 ppg) and senior forward Grant Nelson. Alabama’s perimeter shooting has been their calling card – they’ve knocked down 48 total threes in the tournament on 41% shooting as a team.

In the Elite Eight against Clemson, the Tide rallied from a double-digit deficit thanks to a barrage of 10 second-half triples. However, Alabama will face their toughest test yet against a UConn team that has looked absolutely dominant.

The potential return of Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. could provide a big boost. The sharp-shooting senior missed the regional games due to a head injury but says he is 100% and hopes to be cleared to play. Wrightsell leads the Tide in three-point percentage (43%) and has made all 27 of his free throws on the season.

Uconn Betting Analysis

The Huskies (35-3) are aiming to become the first repeat national champions since Florida in 2006-07. UConn has won all four of their tournament games by at least 17 points, with an average margin of victory of 27.7 points.

The Huskies are led by a trio of All-Big East performers in graduate guards Tristen Newton (15.0 ppg) and Cam Spencer (14.4 ppg), along with sophomore center Donovan Clingan. The 7-foot-2 Clingan has been a force in the middle, nearly averaging a double-double with 15.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game in the tourney.

DONOVAN CLINGAN BLOCK AND SLAM

Huskies are on fire. pic.twitter.com/mcwV60ijmg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 30, 2024

In their Elite Eight demolition of Illinois, UConn put together one of the most impressive runs in NCAA Tournament history. After a sluggish first half offensively, the Huskies came out of the locker room on fire, going on a 30-0 blitz that spanned both halves and turned a close game into a slaughter.

Defensively, UConn has been a brick wall. In the last two tournaments, the Huskies have not allowed a single opponent to score more than 65 points. Their length, athleticism and discipline make them extremely difficult to score against. Connecticut ranks in the top 25 nationally in defensive efficiency.

Bama vs UConn Player Props

March Madness player props are now available for the Alabama vs UConn game, with oddsmakers setting Mark Sears with the highest point total at 19.5.

CBB Player Props odds as of Apr. 6th, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Register with the DraftKings promo code to bet on these player props. 

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Alabama vs UConn Prediction

For Alabama to pull off a huge upset, they need to play their game and not get bogged down by UConn’s preferred slower tempo (315th in the nation). The Tide want to run and gun and launch threes in transition. Getting out to a fast start and building an early lead would be huge for their confidence.

However, even if the Tide are clicking offensively, their defense will need to raise its level for a full 40 minutes. Alabama ranks in the bottom third of the country in forcing turnovers and allowing offensive rebounds, two areas that UConn could exploit.

Here are some key betting trends to note before making an Alabama vs UConn prediction:

• Alabama is 11-6 ATS in non-conference games this season
• The total has gone OVER in 13 of Alabama’s last 15 games
• UConn is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games

If Sears and Alabama’s shooters get hot and stay hot, they are more than capable of pulling off the upset. But the Huskies have been so dominant on both ends that it’s hard to pick against them.

Our best bet for the game is the Tide’s first-half spread of +6.5. Xavier, St. John’s, Marquette, San Diego State, and Illinois have all kept it close in the first half against UConn, and the Tide has the talent to do the same. The Huskies should eventually pull away, but their extensive travel could lead to a sluggish start.

Bama vs UConn Pick:

• Alabama 1H +6.5 (-110)

The post Alabama vs UConn Prediction, Odds & Props for Final Four (April 6) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Looking to become the first undefeated national champion since 2016 UConn, the #1 South Carolina Gamecocks (36-0) are two wins away from a perfect season. After dispatching #3 Oregon State in the Elite Eight (70-58) in Regional 1 in Albany, the Gamecocks meet the #3 NC State Wolfpack (31-6), who cruised through a very challenging Regional 4 in Portland.

Despite NC State’s strong showing in the tournament so far, South Carolina is listed as a double-digit favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

NC State vs South Carolina Odds

The Gamecocks are 11.5-point chalk in Friday’s Final Four odds and -950 on the moneyline. The Wolfpack come back at +625 to hand the Gamecocks their first loss of the season.

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Gamecocks Get Through Regional 1 Unscathed

After a pair of lopsided victories in the first and second rounds (91-39 vs #16 Presbyterian, and 88-41 vs #8 North Carolina), South Carolina was tested in its last two games.  The #4 Indiana Hoosiers nearly came all the way back from a 17-point halftime deficit against the Gamecocks, ultimately falling 79-75 as 17.5-point underdogs.

In the Elite Eight, South Carolina led #3 Oregon State by just four at the break before a big third quarter led the Gamecocks to a 70-58 win as 15.5-point favorites.

Four different players have led the deeply talented Gamecocks in scoring during their four tournament games. Freshman phenom MiLaysia Fulwiley had 20 against UNC; senior center Kamilla Cardoso had 22 against Indiana; and freshman guard Tessa Johnson had 15 against Oregon State, one short of her career-best.

Cardoso leads the team in scoring this season at just 14.1 PPG. Nine different SC players are averaging at least 6.2 PPG.

South Carolina finished the year with the best point differential in the nation, and it wasn’t close. The Gamecocks have a 29.6 average margin of victory (85.6 PPG, 56.0 PAPG).

Wolfpack Survive Gruelling Road to Final Four

NC State had to reach the Final Four the hard way. After breezing past #14 Chattanooga (64-45) in round one, the Wolfpack earned a 79-72 win over #6 Tennessee as 4.5-point chalk. In the Sweet 16, NC State took down #2 Stanford (77-67) as 4.5-point underdogs, coming back from 10 down at halftime.

For their efforts, the Wolfpack were rewarded with an Elite Eight matchup against Regional 4 #1 Texas. But NC State led nearly from the jump against the Longhorns and used a 43-31 first half to hang on for a 76-66 victory.

Junior guard Aziaha James (16.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.0 APG) has been nothing short of sensational for NC State throughout the NCAA Tournament. The 5’9 Virginia native has led the Wolfpack in scoring in all four games, averaging 24.3 PPG. On the season, five different NC State players are averaging in double-figures.

NC State was as high as #3 in the polls after starting the season 14-0, including victories over #2 UConn, #3 Colorado, and #22 Florida State. They sputtered down the stretch, though, going just 13-6 from Jan. 7 until the start of the NCAA Tournament.

They currently have a +13.5 point differential, which is only 37th in DI.

NC State vs South Carolina Player Props

NC State vs South Carolina props from DraftKings Sportsbook on April 4, 2024. 

NC State vs South Carolina Prediction

South Carolina’s 36-0 performance to date leaves little doubt about the overall might of this team. But they looked, perhaps not “beatable”, but at the very least human, during the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. The odds for Friday’s game suggest NC State will scarcely be competitive, and though I haven’t seen a ton of film, I don’t think that’s how it’s going to play out.

NC State’s 14-0 run to start the season included taking down a few excellent teams, and the Wolfpack have clearly regained that form in the NCAA Tournament. At +650, NC State only has a 13.3% implied win probability. I’d put their chances closer to 20% and will sprinkle a little on the Wolfpack moneyline, along with James going over her point total of 18.5.

NC State vs South Carolina picks:

• NC State moneyline (+650)
• James over 18.5 points (-120)

The post NC State vs South Carolina Odds, Picks & Player Props for Final Four appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

After taking down LSU in the Elite Eight, the #1 Iowa Hawkeyes (33-4) are two wins away from a national championship, a quest they fell one win short of last season. Awaiting Caitlin Clark and company in the Final Four is Paige Bueckers and the #3 UConn Huskies (33-5), who carry a 13-game win streak into Friday’s Final Four game in Cleveland, Ohio.

Tipoff at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is scheduled for 9:30 pm ET and the Hawkeyes are listed as slight favorites in the UConn vs Iowa odds.

UConn vs Iowa Odds

Iowa is listed as a 2.5-point betting favorite over the Huskies and -138 to win on the moneyline. UConn is a +124 underdog to stretch its win streak to 14 games. The game total is sitting at 162.5.

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Hawkeyes Finally Overcome LSU in Elite Eight

After a dominant 89-68 win over #5 Colorado in the Sweet 16, Iowa was matched up with #3 LSU in the quarterfinals, the team that beat the Hawkeyes in last year’s title game. Clark (32.0 PPG, 9.0 APG, 7.3 RPG), the nation’s leading scorer for the third time in her four seasons at Iowa, had one of the best games of her storied career; the 6’0 guard dropped 41 points on LSU, going 9-of-20 from beyond the arc, along with 12 assists, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block.

Senior guard Kate Martin added 21 points, six rebounds, and two steals while junior guard Sydney Affolter had 16 points and five boards as Iowa shot 46.4% from the field and 41.9% from three.

The Hawkeye defense was impeccable against Angels Reese and the Bayou Bengals. Reese finished with 17 points on an inefficient 7-of-21 from the floor. As a team, LSU was limited to just 38.6% from the field. Only a 54-36 edge on the glass allowed LSU to keep the game close.

UConn Takes Down Watkins, USC

While the #3 Huskies were the worse seed heading into their Elite Eight matchup with #1 USC, oddsmakers favored UConn. Geno Auriemma’s team was a 3.5-point favorite over the Trojans, and looked the part. After playing to a 33-33 stalemate in the first half, UConn distanced USC in the second to emerge with an 80-73 victory.

Bueckers (22.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.9 APG) had a team-high 28 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, while Aaliyah Edwards (17.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.0 APG) added 24 points and six boards in the victory. While Juju Watkins scored a game-high 29 for the Trojans, she was just 9-of-25 from the field and USC, as a team, was held to 32.9% from the floor.

UConn got a favorable draw in the Sweet 16, taking down #7 Duke after the Blue Devils upset #2 Ohio State in the second round.

Junior guard Bueckers has led the Huskies in scoring in all four games during the tournament and is averaging exactly 28.0 PPG during March Madness. Indeed, Bueckers has led UConn in scoring in each of last 11 games. Overall, the Huskies are 20-2 when Bueckers has a team-high in points, and 13-3 when she doesn’t.

The Huskies went 18-0 in Big East play this season, with their five losses coming against: NC State (92-81 away), UCLA (78-67 neutral), Texas (80-68 neutral), Notre Dame (82-67 home), and South Carolina (83-65 away).

UConn vs Iowa Player Props

UConn vs Iowa player props from DraftKings. Claim the best DraftKings sign up promo here. 

The UConn vs Iowa player props listed the two stars head-and-shoulders above their teammates. Clark has a massive point total of 33.5, while Bueckers is at 26.5. UConn’s Edwards, a 6’3 senior forward, has the highest rebound total at 9.5.

UConn vs Iowa Prediction

UConn has suffered one more L than Iowa this season, but the Huskies also played a significantly tougher non-conference schedule before dominating a mediocre Big East. The Huskies enter the Final Four with the second-best point differential in the nation (+23.1), trailing only undefeated South Carolina (+29.6). Their defense is allowing just 56.8 points per game, compared to the run-and-gun Hawkeyes at 71.5 PPG.

I can’t bet against the Hawkeyes in this spot, though. Clark will undoubtedly be the most-talented scorer UConn has faced all season, and she has shown a penchant for coming up huge in huge games. In addition to her 41 points against LSU on Monday, she also dropped 41 in last year’s Elite Eight win over Louisville (97-83) and another 41 in the Final Four against South Carolina (77-73).

Clark’s supporting cast isn’t as talented as Bueckers, but the Hawkeyes are well-coached and play to their strength. If 6’2 sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke can stay out of foul trouble, she should be able to keep Edwards in check on the glass.

UConn vs Iowa pick: Iowa -2.5 (-110)

The post UConn vs Iowa Predictions, Player Props & Odds for Final Four appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Caitlin Clark and the #1 Iowa Hawkeyes (32-4, 10-0 neutral) square off with Angel  Reese and the #3 LSU Tigers (31-5, 6-2 neutral) at MVP Arena in Albany, NY, on Monday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:15 pm ET.

Reese and the reigning national-champion Tigers beat Clark’s Hawkeyes in the title game last season (102-85) but oddsmakers see this Elite Eight rematch going differently. The Hawkeyes are two-point favorites in the LSU vs Iowa odds as of Monday morning.

LSU vs Iowa Odds

Iowa is also a modest -130 favorite on the moneyline with LSU at +110 to win straight-up. The game total is at 168.5. The teams combined for 187 points in last year’s title game.

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Iowa is currently the second-favorite in the national-championship odds, but at +700, is miles behind 36-0 South Carolina (-200), which advanced to the Final Four with a 70-58 win over #3 Oregon State in the Albany Regional 1 yesterday.

The Gamecocks will face NC State, the #3 seed in Regional 4 in Portland, which knocked off #1 Texas in the Elite Eight (76-66) as 6.5-point underdogs.

Hawkeye Offense Humming in Sweet 16

After failing to cover against #16 Holy Cross (91-65) as 38.5-point favorites and #8 West Virginia (64-54) as 14.5-point chalk, the Hawkeyes finally covered their first game of the NCAA Tournament with an 89-68 rout of #5 Colorado as 6.5-point favorites. Clark (31.7 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 7.3 RPG) was in distribution mode with 29 points and a season-high-tying 15 assists along with six rebounds, one steal, and one block.

All five Iowa starters finished with at least 11 points led by 15 from junior guard Sydney Affolter. As a team, the Hawkeyes shot 53.8% from the field and 40.9% from three.

Hannah Stuelke, Iowa’s 6’2 sophomore forward, is likely to have the task of guarding Reese in the post for the bulk of Monday’s game. Stuelke (14.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG) has been a beast on the boards the past two games, grabbing 21 rebounds combined along with four blocks.

LSU outrebounded Iowa 37-26 in the title game last season including doubling-up the Hawkeyes on the offensive glass (14-7).

LSU Not the Same Team as Last Year

Though leading scorer Reese (18.7 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 2.3 APG) is back in the fold as a junior, four key players from last year’s championship team either graduated or transfered, including Alexis Morris (15.4 PPG, 4.1 APG), Ladazhia Williams (9.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG), Jasmine Carson (8.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG), and Kateri Poole (4,5 PPG, 2.6 RPG).

Embattled head coach Kim Mulkey added DePaul transfer Aneesah Morrow (16.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG) while bringing in freshman guard Mikaylah Williams (14.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.9 APG).

LSU advanced to the Elite Eight with a 70-60 win over #14 Rice as 28.5-point favorites, an 83-56 win over #11 Middle Tennessee as 16.5-point chalk, and a 78-69 win over #2 UCLA as three-point favorites, going 2-1 ATS so far in the Tournament.

Reese is averaging 15.3 points and 13.6 rebounds in the three Tournament games, while Flau’jae Johnson (14.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG) has picked up the scoring load, averaging a team-high 19.7 PPG through the three games so far.

LSU vs Iowa Player Props

LSU vs Iowa player props from DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim the best DraftKings sign up promo here. 

Clark has a massive point total of 32.5 O/U, which is 14 points higher than anyone else on the board. Despite failing to lead her team in scoring in the first three games of the Tournament, Reese is listed with the highest point total for LSU at 18.5, plus a game-high rebound total of 12.5.

LSU vs Iowa Prediction

Clark gets all the headlines, but Iowa is more than just its leading scorer. That said, LSU is still the deeper (and bigger) team. The Tigers only loss in the last 14 games came against unbeaten South Carolina (79-72).

This spread and moneyline are a stay-away for me but there are some player props I like. Clark’s point total of 32.5 is too high against an LSU defense that’s held 13 of its last 14 opponents under 70. Stuelke, who’s grabbed 10 and 11 rebounds in her last two games, is going to have to be a monster on the glass again if the Hawkeyes are going to stay competitive on the boards.

LSU vs Iowa picks:

• Clark under 32.5 points (-105)
• Stuelke over 6.5 rebounds (-135)

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