Gambling on the Final Four: Take FAU and UConn ATS

  • In a matchup of two tightly ranked teams, bettors should be on the FAU Owls to cover the spread versus San Diego State as a 3-point underdog.
  • The best bet at college basketball gambling sites for the Final Four is UConn to cover versus Miami given their tournament dominance that has made them the top-ranked team in the KenPom rankings.

HOUSTON - The Final Four tips off on Saturday afternoon, with March Madness gambling sites setting lines that give bets on Florida Atlantic and UConn to cover an edge heading into their matchups.

Betting on the Owls

Coming into the tournament as an underdog in the Round of 64 and with three outright wins as an underdog since, college basketball gambling sites have been counting out the FAU Owls ever since the tournament began and have done so once again heading into their matchup versus San Diego State.

San Diego State vs Florida Atlantic Gambling Odds

Team: Spread: Win: Total:
Florida Atlantic (#9) +3.0 (-110) +135 O131.5 (-110)
San Diego State (#5) -3.0 (-110) -160 U131.5 (-110)

FAU may not deserve to be an outright favorite, but adjusted efficiency ratings at Kenpom suggest that this game will be even tighter than the three-point spread at online gambling sites.

KenPom Ratings of FAU and San Diego State

  • San Diego State: +20.86 (14th nationally)
  • FAU Owls: +19.41 (17th nationally)

With such a tight difference in ratings, it seems that betting on a close game that results in an FAU cover or even outright victory (+135 odds) is the best bet.

It may also be worth considering betting on the under 131.5 total in this matchup, as the last 12 San Diego State games have gone under their total. FAU has gone under five of their last seven games as well.

Betting on the Title Favorite

UConn has been incredibly dominant so far during their NCAA Tournament run, winning every single one of their games by at least 15 points.

That number suggests bettors should be heavily invested in the Huskies to cover the rather tight spread versus Miami.

Uconn vs Miami Gambling Odds

Team: Spread: Win: Total:
Miami Florida (#5) +5.5 (-110) +210 O149.0 (-110)
Connecticut (#4) -5.5 (-110) -250 U149.0 (-110)

UConn's big wins have also caused significant changes in the KenPom ratings, with the Huskies moving from their fourth overall ranking pre-tournament to the top spot based on adjusted efficiency:

KenPom Ratings of UConn and Miami

  • UConn Huskies: +28.95 (1st Nationally)
  • Miami Hurricanes: +18.23 (22nd Nationally)

UConn has already beaten two teams that are currently ranked higher than Miami so far this tournament (Gonzaga: 8th, Saint Mary's: 13th) and another team very close (Arkansas: 28th) all by at least 15 points.

Betting on UConn to cover a smaller 5.5-point spread after all their big wins is likely the best bet of the Final Four.