2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament odds lines against the spread over/under total picks predictions

Women’s NCAA Championship Game: Iowa vs. South Carolina odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Iowa vs. South Carolina odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes (34-4) and South Carolina Gamecocks (37-0) meet Sunday in the National Championship Game of the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is slated for 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Iowa vs. South Carolina odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

It will be a rematch of a 2023 semifinal as a pair of No. 1 seeds clash in Cleveland.

Iowa advanced after a 71-69 win against No. 3 seed UConn Friday. Things got off to a slow start, but the Hawkeyes came on late. However, there was a controversial offensive foul on the Huskies with 3.9 seconds left with them trailing 70-69. Iowa got the ball back and it hung on for the win, although a late G Caitlin Clark missed free throw helped UConn grab the cover as a 2.5-point underdog.

The Hawkeyes shot just 45.8% (27-of-59) from the field, and just 28.0% (7-of-25) from behind the 3-point line, while turning it over 16 times. Iowa finished with a 37-to-29 rebounding margin as G Sydney Affolter, Clark and G Kate Martin combined for 24 of those boards. Meanwhile, it was F Hannah Stuelke who led the team with 23 points as Clark scored 21 points while struggling from behind the 3-point line (3-for-11).

Iowa has managed a 2-3 against the spread (ATS) mark in its 5 NCAA Tournament games, while the Under holds a slight 3-2 edge.

South Carolina rolled to a 78-59 semifinal win over 11th-seeded NC State Friday. The Gamecocks actually led just 32-31 at halftime, but the Gamecocks used a 29-6 run in the 3rd quarter to pull away for the win and cover as 11.5-point favorites, while the Under (139.5) hung on.

The Gamecocks were led by C Kamilla Cardoso, who went for a game-high 22 points with 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots, while shooting an efficient 10-of-12 from the field. G Raven Johnson chipped in with 13 points, while G Te-Hina Paopao ended up with 10 points and a team-best 6 assists.

Like Iowa, South Carolina is 2-3 ATS in the Tournament, while the Under is 4-1 in the 5 outings.

South Carolina is No. 1 and Iowa is No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Iowa vs. South Carolina odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 6:08 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Iowa +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | South Carolina -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
Against the spread: Iowa +6.5 (-110) | South Carolina -6.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Iowa vs. South Carolina and predictions

Prediction

South Carolina 81, Iowa 76

Moneyline

South Carolina (-275) will cost 2.75 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not enough reward.

The unbeaten Gamecocks should get the job done in this revenge game after being bounced by the Hawkeyes last season in the Final Four, but I’m not willing and can’t suggest backing a -275 favorite in any sport.

However, expect Iowa (+220) to put up a good fight. This should be an epic cap for one of the most memorable seasons in women’s basketball history.

AVOID a moneyline play unless you’re willing to take a chance with Clark and the Hawkeyes.

Against the spread

IOWA +6.5 (-110) is worth backing, catching more than 3 buckets. Clark and Co. will be a tremendous test for unbeaten South Carolina.

Iowa stunned South Carolina last season 77-73 in the Final Four in Dallas, snapping a 42-game win streak for the Gamecocks. Clark scored 41 points to set a Final Four record, and you can bet she’ll be front and center for the Hawkeyes Sunday, especially after an ugly shooting performance in the semifinal against UConn.

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Over/Under

UNDER 159.5 (-110) is the lean in this title game.

The Under has cashed in 4 of 5 NCAA Tournament games for South Carolina, while cashing in 3 of 5 outings for Iowa. The total almost went low in the UConn game, too, but a late free throw by Clark flipped the total in favor of the Over by a half-point.

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Women’s NCAA Tournament: UConn vs. Iowa odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s UConn vs. Iowa odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The UConn Huskies (33-5) and Iowa Hawkeyes (33-4) meet Friday at the Final Four in the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is slated for approximately 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UConn vs. Iowa odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 3rd-seeded Huskies will face the No. 1 seed Hawkeyes with a spot in the national championship hanging in the balance.

UConn beat 14th-seeded Jackson State 86-64 in the 1st round but came nowhere near covering as a 35.5-point favorites with the Over (135.5) connecting. Star G Paige Bueckers went for 28 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. In the 2nd round, UConn eased by No. 6 seed Syracuse 72-64, but the Orange easily covered as 19.5-point underdogs and the Under (144.5) cashed.

In the Sweet 16, UConn grinded out a low-scoring 53-45 win vs. No. 7 seed Duke, but again, the Huskies failed to cover. This time as 8.5-point favorites, and the Under (126.5) was never in doubt.

The Huskies followed by topping top-seeded USC and freshman phenom F Juju Watkins 80-73 in the Elite 8. UConn covered as a 3.5-point favorite and the Over (135.5) comfortably cashed. Bueckers went for 28 points and 10 boards in that victory. She is averaging 28.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 5.0 APG with 3.3 SPG and 1.5 BPG in 4 NCAA Tournament outings.

As for Iowa, the Hawkeyes topped 16th-seeded Holy Cross in the opening round 91-65, but they just missed cashing as 38.5-point favorites and the Under (157.5) came through.

In G Caitlin Clark‘s final home game in Iowa City, No. 8 seed West Virginia gave the scoring champ and the Hawkeyes all they could handle. In a contest that was tied with 2:15 to go, Iowa pulled away for a 64-54 victory and didn’t cover as 14.5-point favorites with the Under (163.5) hitting.

After moving on to Albany for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, Iowa put together a complete game against 5th-seeded Colorado, rolling to an 89-68 win as a 7.5-point favorite as the Under (157.5) won by a hook.

In the highly anticipated 2023 national title rematch, Iowa eliminated 3rd-seeded LSU with a 94-87 thriller in the Elite 8. Clark dropped 41 points with 12 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot in 40 minutes, while knocking down 9 3-pointers as Iowa covered as a slight 1.5-point favorite. The Over (168.5) was never in question.

UConn vs. Iowa odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:45 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): UConn +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Iowa -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
Against the spread: UConn +2.5 (-105) | Iowa -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 162.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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UConn vs. Iowa and predictions

Prediction

Iowa 78, UConn 74

Moneyline

Iowa (-155) is a solid play as a moderate moneyline favorite, if you just want to choose a winner without fiddling around the points.

Clark and the Hawkeyes are on a collision course with unbeaten South Carolina, and the TV ratings will likely be through the roof. Clark and the Hawkeyes will do their part to give the people what they want.

In this case, I’m willing to lay the points with the spread below and AVOID a moneyline wager.

Against the spread

IOWA -2.5 (-115) is a good play laying the small amount of points. Clark won’t be able to do it all herself, and she’ll need G Kate Martin, G Sydney Affolter or someone else to step up and give the Hawkeyes solid secondary or tertiary scoring.

UConn has made a tremendous run to the Final Four, and this is a team with a bright future, as usual. But the time is now for Clark and the Hawkeyes, and they should get it done together.

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Over/Under

UNDER 162.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board.

The Over-Under has split in 4 NCAA Tournament games for UConn, while the Under is 3-1 for Iowa in this tourney.

The Hawkeyes went off in the first quarter against LSU, and Clark was unconscious from behind the 3-point line all night. You can expect UConn will apply a lot more pressure along the perimeter, trying to make life more difficult for Clark and company than LSU did behind the arc.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Women’s NCAA Tournament: NC State vs. South Carolina odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s NC State vs. South Carolina odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The NC State Wolfpack (31-6) and South Carolina Gamecocks (36-0) meet in a Friday semifinal at the Final Four in the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is slated for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the NC State vs. South Carolina odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 3rd-seeded Wolfpack meet the top overall seed Gamecocks with a trip to the national title game on the line.

NC State won 64-45 in the 1st round against 14th-seeded Chattanooga at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, but the Wolfpack failed to cover as 25.5-point favorites as the Under (120.5) cashed. In the 2nd round, also at Reynolds, the Wolfpack pushed past the Tennessee Lady Vols 79-72, covering as 5.5-point favorites with the Over (140.5) connecting.

The Wolfpack were underdogs against 2nd-seeded Stanford in the Sweet 16 in Portland, but NC State won 77-67 as a 4.5-point underdog as the Over (134.5) cashed for a 2nd straight outing. NC State then bumped off a No. 1 seed in the Regional Final, topping Texas 76-66 as a 5.5-point underdog, cashing the Over (136.5) for the 3rd consecutive contest.

NC State is 20-17 against the spread (ATS) in games with a line this season, and it is 2-0 ATS in 2 games as an underdog of 5.5 points or more. The Over has a slight 19-18 edge.

For South Carolina, it paddled 16th-seed Presbyterian 91-39 in the opening round, even with C Kamilla Cardoso out due to suspension. The Gamecocks didn’t cover the huge 54.5-point line and the Under (130.5) hit. In the 2nd round, North Carolina provided very little resistance as South Carolina rolled 88-41 to cover as a 22-point favorites, as the Under (135.5) hit again.

In the Sweet 16, 4th-seeded Indiana came to play, and South Carolina narrowly escaped with a 79-75 win. Cardoso had 22 points and 7 rebounds, but Carolina came nowhere near covering as a 16.5-point favorite and the Over (143.5) cashed. In the Elite 8 round, South Carolina dispatched No. 3 seed Oregon State 70-58, but again, the Gamecocks failed to cover as 15.5-point favorites as the Under (134.5) hit.

South Carolina has obviously been dominant this season, but it is just 15-17 ATS games with a line, while the Over has a slight 17-16 edge when a total was offered.

NC State vs. South Carolina odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:57 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): NC State +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | South Carolina -800 (bet $800 to win $100)
Against the spread: NC State +11.5 (-110) | South Carolina -11.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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NC State vs. South Carolina and predictions

Prediction

South Carolina 74, NC State 67

Moneyline

South Carolina (-800) will cost 8 times the potential return. While the Gamecocks are unbeaten, there is no way to justify risking that much for such a small return.

NC State (+550) has already shown an ability to bump off a No. 1 seed, ousting Texas, and it sent No. 2 Stanford packing, too. Coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks will certainly have their hands full with C River Baldwin, G Aziaha James and the upstart Wolfpack.

AVOID.

Against the spread

NC STATE +11.5 (-110) is a strong play catching double digits in this national semifinal.

South Carolina, while certainly dominant in the win-loss column, is just 1-3 ATS in this tournament. Meanwhile, State has covered 3 straight, including the past 2 outright wins as an underdog.

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Over/Under

OVER 139.5 (-110) is the lean and worth a half-unit play at most.

The total has gone high in 3 straight games for the Wolfpack, while the Over has cashed just once in 4 NCAA Tournament games for the Gamecocks.

Still, we should see enough offenses from both sides to push this one just across the finish line for an Over.

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Women’s NCAA Tournament: LSU vs. Iowa odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s LSU vs. Iowa odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The LSU Lady Tigers (31-5) and Iowa Hawkeyes (32-4) meet Monday in Elite 8 action in the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from the MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., is slated for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the LSU vs. Iowa odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 3rd-seeded Tigers meet the 1st-seeded Hawkeyes in the Regional 2 Final for a trip to the Final Four in Cleveland. More importantly, this should be a rating’s bonanza, with F Angel Reese and the defending champion Tigers taking on record-setter G Caitlin Clark and the national runner-up Hawkeyes.

LSU has played better as the NCAA Tournament has moved along. It opened with an uninspiring 10-point win over 14th-seeded Rice in the 1st round in Baton Rouge, never threatening to cover the 28.5-point number as the Under (146.5) easily covered.

In the 2nd round, the Tigers downed 11th-seeded Middle Tennessee 83-56, covering as 16.5-point favorites, again hitting the Under (141.5). They played their best game of the tourney against 2nd-seeded UCLA in Albany Saturday, winning 78-69 to cover as 3.5-point favorites as the Over (144.5) just came through.

For the Hawkeyes, they topped 16th-seeded Holy Cross 91-65 in the opening round but just missed the cover as 38.5-point favorites in Iowa City with the Under (157.5) cashing. In Round 2, Iowa held off a charge from 8th-seeded West Virginia, winning 64-54, but again, Iowa failed to cover — this time as a 14.5-point favorite as the Under (163.5) again came in.

In a Sweet 16 matchup in Albany against 5th-seeded Colorado, the Hawkeyes played their most complete game of the tournament, cashing as 7.5-point favorites with the Under (157.5) hitting.

When these teams met last season in the championship game, LSU won 102-85 as a 3.5-point underdog — cashing as a +125 dog on the moneyline — and the Over (159.5) easily cashed.

Clark scored 30 for Iowa in last season’s title game, while hitting 8 triples. The Hawkeyes shot 50.0% from the field, and 46.7% behind the arc, but they turned the ball over 16 times and were outrebounded 37-26. LSU was led by G Jasmine Carson, who scored 22 off the bench, hitting 5 of the team’s 11 3-pointers in her final college game. Reese had a double-double, scoring 15 points with 10 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot.

LSU is No. 6 and Iowa is No. 2 in USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

LSU vs. Iowa odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:10 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): LSU +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Iowa -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
Against the spread: LSU +1.5 (+100) | Iowa -1.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 168.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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LSU vs. Iowa and predictions

Prediction

Iowa 83, LSU 77

Moneyline

IOWA (-135) is worth playing in this highly-anticipated rematch. This is going to be a titanic contest for the women’s game, regardless of which team comes out on top. The TV ratings should be through the roof.

As far as the result, the Hawkeyes have played well in this tournament, played their best game against Colorado last time out.

Against the spread

IOWA -1.5 (-120) is slightly cheaper laying the bucket. Unless you strongly feel the Hawkeyes are going to win, but only by a point, this is a better option than the moneyline.

LSU was tremendous against UCLA, but something has been missing in this tournament. The Tigers just haven’t looked like a dominant team capable of winning it all.

Bank on Clark to get the job done in Albany, evening the score against the Tigers and Reese — after last season’s title-game loss — while the Hawkeyes advance to Cleveland with much bigger fish to fry.

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Over/Under

UNDER 168.5 (-110) is worth a look in this Elite 8 showdown.

The Tigers have cashed the Under in 2 of the past 3 NCAA Tournament games, while the Hawkeyes have ended up going low in all 3 of their games in the tourney. We had a high-scoring game last season in the national championship, but this season these teams have not been nearly as prolific on offense in the tournament.

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