The 5th-seeded San Diego State Aztecs (32-6) and No. 4 UConn Huskies (30-8) clash in Monday’s NCAA Tournament Championship Game. The battle at NRG Stadium in Houston will tip off at 9:20 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the San Diego State vs. UConn odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
San Diego State has logged final-minutes comebacks and 1-point victories in each of its last 2 games. The No. 18 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll has been struggling at the free-throw line (60% last 3 games, hitting 30 of 50), which has not helped the effort. But the defensive-minded Mountain West Conference-champion Aztecs have prevailed under pressure, and they head into Monday night’s championship tilt having won 9 in a row and 15 of their last 16.
UConn — ranked No. 12 in the Coaches Poll — also plays solid defense, but the Huskies sport a highly-efficient team at the offensive end as well. In this tournament, Connecticut is shooting 49.5% from the field (148 of 299) and 40.3% from 3-point range (50 of 124) on a high-volume 24.8 attempts per game. The Huskies have also logged 13-or-more offensive rebounds and had 20 assists or more in 3 of their 5 tourney games.
Check out: Best San Diego State vs. UConn prop bets and predictions
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3259″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3272″ ]
San Diego State vs. UConn odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 9:33 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: San Diego State +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | UConn -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): San Diego State +7.5 (-110) | UConn -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
San Diego State vs. UConn picks and predictions
Prediction
UConn 66, San Diego State 64
[pickup_prop id=”32909″]
Moneyline
The Aztecs (+280) have the defense and impressive senior leadership to take this run one more step. A tag of +300 or higher would make for some acceptable leverage; otherwise. PASS.
Against the spread
UConn is reliant on 3-balls, but San Diego State owns the nation’s 3rd-best figure in defending shots from beyond the arc (28.2%, according to NCAA.com). Look for the Aztecs to hold their own with the strong rebounding Huskies and to perhaps have a key edge in turnovers.
Peg this one coming down to the final minutes with San Diego State within 5. There is value in the AZTECS +7.5 (-110).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
These teams play at a slightly-slower-than-average pace (and UConn has been trending slower still). The Under is 8-1 in the Aztecs last 9 games against teams playing .600 ball; it’s 9-1 in SDSU’s last 10 games overall.
With San Diego State being an elite perimeter defense and not a lot of free throws expected in this matchup, a combined score in the 120s is a distinct possibility.
Under 132.5 (-110) is a lean here but no more unless the line climbs to 133.5 or higher. PASS.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]