NCAA 2024 predictions: UConn, Purdue favored heading into Final Four

The madness of March Madness 2024 began with a series of shockers on day one, but as the tournament progressed, the pre-tournament favorites made their mark. By the time the Sweet Sixteen was upon us, all top-seeded teams from No. 1 and No. 2 slots were still in the competition. This occurrence, marking the fifth in the history of the tournament and the first since 2019, set the stage for an exciting showdown.

However, just as it seemed the leading teams had taken command of the tournament, underdog stories emerged with No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 11 North Carolina State Wolfpack making unexpected journeys to the Final Four.

While surprises are part and parcel of the tournament, No. 1 seeds Connecticut Huskies and Purdue Boilermakers have lived up to expectations by making it to the Final Four. They're both heavily favored to win their upcoming semi-final games, with UConn being the top pick (-192*) to clinch the championship.

Here's a rundown of the top wagers to place on 7x7Bets for the Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball championship.

TOP MONEY LINE WAGER

Purdue has consistently shown excellence throughout the season. With an impressive 33-4 record, including only two losses in overtime, their prowess is undeniable. Their recent 76-75 defeat to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament was their only setback in the last 11 matches.

At the heart of Purdue’s success is 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey, who, over the last 11 matches, has been averaging 29.3 points and 13.0 rebounds, making him a key player in Purdue’s highly efficient offense that scores an estimated 126.4 points per 100 possessions.

The North Carolina State team, meanwhile, is a fairytale in motion, securing their spot in the NCAA tournament by winning the ACC tournament and embarking on a nine-game winning streak after a challenging season phase where they managed only two victories in nine games. The matchup of 6-foot-9, 260-pound forward D.J. Burns Jr. against Edey promises to be intriguing, given Burns Jr.'s impressive average of 16.6 points per game during the winning streak, with a 64.9% success rate from the field.

Opting for the heavily favored Boilermakers in the Money Line market is an option worth exploring.

Purdue ML (-429*)

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TOP HANDICAP WAGER

The Alabama Crimson Tide, known for their scoring capability, enter the Final Four with the third-highest adjusted offensive efficiency (125.8), trailing only Purdue (126.4) and Connecticut (126.7). However, their defense doesn't match up, posing a risk if the game escalates into a fast-paced shootout.

Their journey to the Final Four has been a rollercoaster, with just one win in regulation from seven games leading up to the NCAA Tournament. Alabama's challenging schedule, ranked as the toughest by Ken Pomeroy, hasn’t made their journey any easier, leading to overwhelming defeats at times.

Yet, Alabama has shown resilience in close matches against top teams and has delivered exceptional performances recently, making their underdog status in the Final Four intriguing.

After triumphing as a No. 4 seed last year, Connecticut has been unstoppable this season as a No. 1 seed, cruising through the tournament with an average victory margin of 27.8 points. Their capability to manage a high-tempo game suggests they'll comfortably cover the handicap against Alabama.

Connecticut -11.5 (-109*)

TOP TOTAL WAGER

The Wolfpack have demonstrated their scoring capabilities, exceeding a total of 146 points in 13 of their last 17 matches. However, facing superior defensive teams like Duke and Marquette, they fell short of this total last weekend. Purdue, with its formidable defense, is expected to control the game pace against NC State, likely resulting in a score below the set total.

North Carolina State - Purdue Under 146 (-109*)

TOP PLAYER PROP WAGER

Alabama guard Mark Sears has been outstanding, averaging 21.5 points per game this season and improving to 24.7 points over the last nine games. Despite a slight dip in his three-point shooting accuracy, his increased shot volume suggests he could easily surpass 20.5 points in the upcoming game, especially if Alabama seeks to turn the match into a high-scoring affair.

Mark Sears Over 20.5 points (-106*)

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