The fourth-seeded UConn Huskies are well aware they enter Monday’s national title game as heavy favorites against the fifth-seeded San Diego State Aztecs.
UConn was a consensus 7.5-point favorite as of Monday, which has served as a word of warning from coach Dan Hurley to his players leading up to the game. He has added to that message with a reminder that the Huskies dropped six of eight games after opening this season 14-0.
The line opened at 6.5 points at BetMGM but shifted by a full point as the public backed the Huskies with 68% of the spread-line bets and 81% of the money. Of note, SDSU’s +300 moneyline has been the most popular title game wager at the sportsbook, drawing 62% of the total bets.
The action has been very similar at BetRivers, where UConn has drawn 61% of both the total bets and money. The Huskies’ -360 moneyline has been even more popular at the sportsbook, having been backed by 75% and 86%, respectively
The line has held steady at 7.5 at PointsBet, with the Huskies supported by 61% of the bets and 68% of the money.
After opening the tournament at +1600 to win the title, UConn is now -365 at DraftKings, while SDSU has moved from +3500 pre-tournament to +300 on Monday.
The combination of UConn’s stifling defense and efficient offense has led to fairly low Over/Under markets at sportsbooks.
The line did increase two points to 132.5 at BetMGM, where the Over has been backed by 78% of the bets and 84% of the money. The same total at BetRivers has seen the Over draw 84% and 65% of the action, respectively.
PREDICTION
SDSU’s mental fortitude has been tested time and again throughout the tournament, and the Aztecs have risen to every occasion.
UConn won’t find this one another walk in the park and it should be an entertaining game. But the Huskies have resoundingly shown why they reached No. 1 in the nation earlier this season with a long, athletic and well-balanced approach on both sides of the floor.
–UConn 72, SDSU 65 (San Diego State +7.5, OVER 132.5)
–Field Level Media