The UConn Huskies are on the most dominant two-year run in March Madness history, with 10 straight double-digit victories leading into their second consecutive Final Four appearance. The defending champion’s latest masterpiece included a 30-0 run to bury No. 3 Illinois in the East Region final. Up next, the Huskies will take on Alabama, the No. 4 seed out of the West Region, with tipoff scheduled for 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
Dan Hurley has put his players in position to succeed, and the Huskies have simply stifled opponents defensively with 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan anchoring the back line. After compiling 22 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and three steals in 22 minutes against Illinois, Clingan is the favorite to win Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. The Huskies also have size and skill on the wings in Alex Karaban, Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer, and Stephon Castle to round out their elite starting lineup.
UConn Final Four odds
The Huskies have won every game in this year’s tournament by 13-plus points. It is the third team in history to win its Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games by 25-plus points. They’re double-digit favorites against a high-scoring Alabama squad that leads the nation with 90.1 points per game.
Alabama has been red hot from 3-point range this season and has continued that model for success in the tournament, sinking 27 triples over its last two games. The total is relatively high for this matchup because Alabama may not have to challenge Clingan’s elite rim protection if the Tide can continue to find success from deep. This game is getting very short odds to feature more total points than the other Final Four matchup between NC State and Purdue.
UConn national championship odds
The Huskies have been so good throughout the tournament that books are offering relatively short odds on the rest of the field versus the defending champions. As it stands heading into the Final Four, UConn is close to to repeat, and Purdue has the next closest odds at just over .
If UConn dispatches Alabama, the Huskies would either take on No. 1 Purdue or No. 11 NC State, which has won nine straight elimination games dating back to the start of an improbable run through the ACC Tournament to earn an automatic bid to the dance. NC State is a senior-laden team led by DJ Horne and nimble center DJ Burns.
Purdue, meanwhile, has 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey, who is the favorite to win the Naismith Player of the Year award for a second straight season. A matchup between Edey and Clingan in the paint would make the national championship an intriguing watch.
UConn’s odds to win March Madness:
UConn player props vs. Alabama
The Huskies use a balanced approach on offense that keeps opponents guessing and keeps the scoring props relatively low for their starters. Clingan has a line of points, trailing All-American guard Tristen Newton (). If the Huskies can slow down Alabama’s top scorer, Mark Sears, who has a line of points, one of those players could pay off at long odds to be the top scorer in this game.
UConn vs. Alabama betting preview
Grant Nelson was huge for Alabama in a tough matchup against UNC’s sizable front line in the Sweet 16. The 6-foot-11 senior totaled 24 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks while going 10-for-13 at the free throw line in a narrow 89-87 victory, and he’ll have to be huge again to help negate Clingan’s presence in the paint. Mark Sears shot a scorching 45% from deep throughout the West Regional, and ’Bama received key scoring off the bench from freshman Jarin Stevenson in the Elite Eight.
Facing a UConn team that appears to have no weaknesses defensively, it could be tough for Alabama to play its typical high-scoring style. The Huskies held Illinois to 28.6% shooting on 2-point attempts in the first half of the Elite Eight and allowed just six 3-pointers at a 26% clip. While UConn shot just 3-for-17 from deep in that matchup, it hardly mattered with Clingan and company outscoring the Illini 52-20 in the paint. The mystique of this UConn squad is becoming another factor for programs with less experience on the big stage.
