UConn vs San Diego State Odds
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-7 -110 | 131 -110o / -110u | -370 |
| San Diego State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+7 -110 | 131 -110o / -110u | +290 |
All has led to this: one remaining college hoops battle to determine a 2023 national title.
San Diego State will be making its first title game appearance in school history when it takes the floor. The Aztecs will do so after winning both their Elite 8 and Final Four games by a single point.
As Chris Fallica pointed out on Twitter, San Diego State is the only team to reach the title game in that exact fashion.
UConn, in contrast, is no stranger to the spotlight of a title game appearance. The Huskies are now one win away from a fifth title in school history.
Connecticut Huskies
In the midst of a crazy tournament, it's important to emphasize that the current run by UConn is no fluke.
The Huskies are absolutely loaded.
UConn's run at the Phil Knight Invitational at the beginning of its season had many who follow the game closely believing it was the best team in the country.
Then, as UConn struggled at the beginning of Big East play, Alabama and Houston began to take some of the attention away from the Huskies.
Heck, even a conference foe in Marquette was picked to win the title more frequently than UConn once the bracket was revealed.
Dan Hurley has been able to round his team into form at just the right time. The Huskies have so many options offensively. Eight or nine different men can step up and lead the charge from a scoring standpoint on any given night.
If Adama Sanogo is making 3-pointers — as he did in the first half against Miami — good luck.
But what has made UConn even scarier in the NCAA tournament has been the increased defensive effort it has showcased throughout each of its five wins.
If you are inclined to lay the 7.5 points and take UConn, I would not have a stern rebuttal. It just seems that 7.5 points may be a high bar for UConn to clear in an NCAA title game.
San Diego State is feisty. The physicality of the Aztecs' backcourt figures to make it difficult for UConn's young guards to close out Monday night's game.
San Diego State Aztecs
Regardless of Monday night's result, Lamont Butler will be remembered fondly by Aztec fans for decades to come.
If his foot was two inches just slightly toward the baseline as he dribbled near the end of the first Final Four game, he would have been remembered for ages for reasons that are not so positive.
Such are the margins between greatness and infamy in this anxiety-inducing sport we love.
The Aztecs are not a team that figures to be capable of running away from their opponent.
UConn has certainly done just that throughout the NCAA tournament. San Diego State's sixth and final opponent is a perfect 17-0 ATS in non-conference games this season.
The implication from that statistic is that it will be difficult for San Diego State to simply cover the 7.5-point spread, let alone escape with a win.
Frankly, historical trends and gloomy odds will not scare Brian Dutcher's team. Dutcher's Aztecs did not lead for a single second of the second half against Florida Atlantic.
Yes, you read that right. San Diego State did not lead until the clock had already expired and the backboard was illuminated in red.
The Aztecs do not go away quietly.
Given the way UConn is playing, I'm not sure any roster in America could beat it at the moment.
Still, I am a proponent of taking the points in a larger point spread such as this. Championship games are difficult to close in any sport. And the defense of San Diego State is fully equipped to ultimately keep the final margin within a couple of possessions.
UConn vs San Diego State Betting Pick
Both defenses have been extremely impressive throughout their respective tournament runs.
At surface level, one might instinctually think the under would be the proper play.
I'm going to zag and officially endorse the over in Monday night's finale.
San Diego State has traditionally tried to slow the tempo of its opponents by limiting transition opportunities. The Aztecs were not able to slow Florida Atlantic's pace on Saturday night, in large part due to FAU's depth.
UConn is, at minimum, just as deep as FAU's roster. Many would claim the Huskies' ability to play nine key contributors without hesitation makes them the deepest team in the country.
UConn's recent ability to suffocate its opponent and force contested shots throughout a game is a little scary. However, I expect the veterans of San Diego State to do enough to carry this total over.
If Saturday's contest was any indication, the Aztecs are more than willing to outwork their opponent when shots are not falling, leading to scoring opportunities via offensive rebounding.
In summation, if you just cannot decide which side to endorse, I have no issue with taking the over in the last opportunity to do so until next season begins.
If you were simply looking for permission to default to the over, well, here it is.
Here's to a great finale to wrap up the craziest tournament in recent memory.
Pick: Over 132 |
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