Key Points
- SJ breaks down her best bets and predictions for the April 4 Final Four matchup featuring the UConn Huskies and UCLA Bruins
The Women's NCAAW has arrived, and we have a highly anticipated showdown in Tampa tonight!
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
With four teams remaining, the
No. 2 UConn Huskies
(35-3) will take on the
No.1 UCLA Bruins
(34-2) in the Final Four.
Set to make their first Final Four appearance in program history, UCLA earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAAW Tournament bracket. As for head coach Geno Auriemma, the UConn Huskies continue to make history.
Connecticut's 24 Final Four appearances are the most in men's or women's NCAA March Madness Tournament history! Leading Women's Division 1 basketball with 11 National Titles, can the Huskies win their first NCAA Championship since 2016?
Tonight's matchup will headline UCLA's Lauren Betts vs. UConn's Paige Bueckers. However, there's immense talent on both sides.
Who will be moving on to the NCAA Championship game in Tampa?
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If you're looking to bet on the NCAAW Final Four between UConn and UCLA welcome! I am looking to stay in the green, so let's cash out and finish March Madness out right!
Set to take place in Tampa, the matchup will start at 9:30 p.m., and will air on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN +.
Here are my top bets and predictions for the Friday, April 4 Final Four matchup between the UConn Huskies and UCLA Bruins!
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NCAAW Tournament Final Four Best Bets: UConn Huskies vs UCLA Bruins Bet MGM Odds For April 4
MONEYLINE
- UCONN HUSKIES: -425
- UCLA BRUINS: +320
SPREAD
- UCONN HUSKIES: -7.5 (-115)
- UCLA BRUINS: +7.5 (-105)
OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)
- OVER: 135.5 (-110)
- UNDER: 135.5 (-110)
All-TIME HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUPS: UCONN VS UCLA
- November 24, 2023:
UCLA 78, UConn 67
- December 11, 2021: UConn 71, UCLA 61
- March 29, 2019: UConn 69, UCLA 61
- November 21, 2017: UConn 78, UCLA 60
- March 25, 2017: UConn 86, UCLA 71
- December 21, 2014: UConn 86, UCLA 50
- December 23, 1999: UConn 106, UCLA 64
- November 17, 1988: UConn 113-102
NCAAW Tournament Final Four : UConn vs UCLA Predictions for Friday, April 4
Best Spread Bet: UConn vs UCLA
My best bet and prediction for tonight's Final Four matchup, I placed one unit on the UCLA Bruins to cover the +7.5 spread against the UConn Huskies for -105 odds on Bet MGM.
UConn is the sole No.2 remaining seed left, and they are heavily favored to win the entire NCAA Tournament by -500 odds, according to Legendz Casino. With that said, the best of the best will square up, and it won't be an easy feat for either team.
7.5 seems like a large spread, especially for a Final Four matchup. As someone who went to UConn, I do my best to stay neutral. With that said, I maybe underestimating UConn a bit.
- Either way, UCLA is the No. 1 seed for a reason. Let's get into my prediction.
The UConn Huskies are an intimidating team, especially now they are at full strength. Backed by star Paige Bueckers, the guard is an immense reason why the Huskies are in the Final Four. You add in a healthy Azzi Fudd, among several other defensive players. Of course, Freshman of the Year Sarah Strong continues to show why she's among the best in the front court.
At 34-2, UCLA made their mark after a signature 72-67 victory over USC to win the Big Ten Championship. Headlined by 6'7 star Lauren Betts, I love what head coach Cori Close has done with this program. Back in the NCAAW Tournament for the third consecutive year, this team has grit and toughness.
- Tonight will feature two of the top offensive teams, UConn and UCLA. Both top 20 in offensive points per game, both UConn and UCLA rank top 50 in scoring defense.
Final Four Matchup Of The Night: Lauren Betts vs Sarah Strong
As we've seen with UCLA, they've cruised through NCAAW Tournament victories over Southern, Richmond, Mississippi State, and LSU. In fact, the biggest test of them all came against Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers.
- Maintaining a three point lead up until 3:24 in the fourth quarter, it was anyone's game.
At the end of the day, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, and Lauren Betts were clutch down the stretch. Similar to her brother Jaime Jaquez, Gabriela is a sniper from beyond the arc. With +75 point differential, I wouldn't say UCLA was necessarily dominant over LSU, however, they've proved they can hang.
I do believe UCLA will have trouble on the offensive end against a UConn team that ranks No.1 in scoring defense (52). We are talking about a Huskies squad that boasts a +140 point differential in the tournament.
- Holding the highest scoring margin in NCAAW Women's basketball (+29.6) it's hard to fade a fully healthy UConn team. However UCLA is right there with a +20.6 point margin.
The matchup I'm looking forward to tonight is Lauren Betts in the post vs freshman Sarah Strong. Let's be honest, can anyone truly stop Betts at 6 foot 7? We all know how well Kaitlyn Chen, KK Arnold, and Ashlyn Shade can make a difference on both sides of the ball. I'd like to believe Londynn Jones, Kiki Rice, and Janiah Barker can match that.
Paige Bueckers is having a historic NCAA Tournament, putting up 30+ points in three straight games. The Bruins have some demons on defense, including Kiki Rice, will they be the team to stop Bueckers?
Are The Books Sleeping On The UCLA Bruins?
Overall UConn and coach Geno Auriemma have what it takes to make it all the way, and this is Bueckers last chance to win an NCAA Championship. Even though it's UCLA's first trip to the Final Four, I expect this game to stay fairly competitive. I feel the Bruins are a bit disrespected by the books, and this spread line should be closer to 4-4.5 points.
In the biggest game of the year, it's a go big or go home moment for both teams. The Huskies offense has been blazing, averaging 88.4 points in the tournament. No. 9 in scoring offense (81.6), the Huskies boast the top field goal percentage in NCAAW basketball at 50.9 percent.
The Huskies may have more stardom with Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong, but don't sleep on UCLA. Lauren Betts scored back---to-back 30+ points, and is averaging 23 points and 9.3 rebounds in the bracket. With Kiki Rice distributing the ball and efficient on the offensive end, Jaquez and Timea Gardiner have stepped up in the biggest moments.
Both UConn and UCLA haven't faced off in nearly two years, which doesn't help bettors much.
- While Paige Bueckers will look to etch her name in the UConn history books forever, UCLA won't go down without a fight.
Final NCAAW Tournament Final Four Betting Prediction: UCLA +7.5 (-105 Bet MGM)
Although not the elite team UConn is on defense, the Bruins ranked no. 44 in scoring defense, allowing 57.9 points per game. Holding each opponent in the NCAAW tournament to 67 points and below, the question is can they contain the Huskies potent offense? Inside, outside, UConn is lethal, and it all starts with Bueckers, Fudd, and Strong.
Although 17-19-0 ATS this season UCLA has handled USC just fine with JuJu Watkins, while the Huskies suffered a loss earlier in the season against USC. I'm not touching the moneyline, it's too juiced for Connecticut.
- I'm riding with UCLA to cover the +7.5 spread tonight vs UConn.
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