Purdue vs. UConn Betting Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions for Today's Title Game
Following a March (and early-April) full of Madness, tonight, the Men’s College Basketball season will conclude with the National Championship Game, featuring Purdue against UConn.
Purdue will be making their first appearance in the title game since 1969, when they lost to UCLA. UConn is attempting to win their second consecutive championship, in addition to becoming the first team since Florida in 2007 to win back-to-back national titles.
Purdue vs. Connecticut Odds
| Purdue Odds | +7 |
| UConn Odds | -7 |
| Over/Under | 145.5 |
| Date | Mon, Apr. 8 |
| Time | 9:20 PM ET |
| TV | TBS |
Ahead of tip-off this evening, UConn is listed as a 7-point favorite over Purdue. The total for this contest is set at over/under 145.5 points.
Below, we break down the matchup for both teams and offer a free pick for the betting community!
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Purdue Boilermakers Preview
One year after losing to 16-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson, Purdue is one win away from their first men’s basketball national championship in program history. Following a 29-4 start to the season, Purdue has been largely unchallenged in 5 tournament games, defeating Grambling by 28 points, Utah State by 39 points, Gonzaga by 12 points, and NC State by 13 points. Their only true sweat came against Tennessee in the Elite 8, narrowly escaping with a 6-point victory.
Zach Edey looking to lead Purdue to first title in program history
Purdue’s magical season has been fueled, in large part, by Zach Edey, who is averaging a team-high 24.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 38 games. No other member of the roster is averaging more than 12 points, 5.9 rebounds, or 0.3 blocks this year for the Boilermakers.
Edey has been particularly valuable in the tournament, averaging 28 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in Purdue’s 5 wins. He’s played 38 minutes, 39 minutes, and 40 minutes, respectively, in each of the team’s games since advancing to the Sweet 16. He figures to be a focal point of the team’s offense again on Monday, and it’s possible he ends up staying on the floor for the duration of the contest.
UConn Huskies Preview
Tonight, UConn’s men’s basketball team will be looking to put the finishing touches on one of the most impressive two-year runs in recent NCAA history. Last year, the Huskies won each of their 6 tournament games by double-digits, including a 17-point victory over San Diego State in the title game.
This year, UConn has been similarly unchallenged during the postseason. They defeated Stetson by 39 points in their opening round matchup, then beat Northwestern by 17 points in the Round of 32. In the Sweet 16, San Diego State was run off the floor, losing by 30 points. Many pundits thought that the Fighting Illini could give UConn a run for their money, but they lost 77-52 after UConn went on a remarkable 30-0 run at one point during the contest. Alabama gave UConn their toughest game yet, but they still lost by 14 points in the Final Four.
Unsurprisingly, UConn is now favored by 7 points against Purdue in the championship – and that still might not be giving the Huskies enough respect.
Can UConn be beat?
If there is any reason for college basketball fans to expect a good game on Monday evening, it’s due to the fact that Purdue is the first team in at least a month that can truly match UConn’s size and length. Zach Edey, who has rarely come off of the floor for Purdue in their last three games, is a matchup nightmare for any opponent, and something that UConn hasn’t had to deal with yet in the tournament.
Purdue has only 4 losses this season, 2 of which came in overtime, and 3 of which came by 4 points or less. Simply, Purdue is a team that has, in many ways, flirted with a perfect season. They are a top-heavy team, led by Edey, but they have capable shooters who can help this group go toe-to-toe with nearly any team in the country. This could be a rare test for UConn.
Purdue vs. UConn Betting Tips & Prediction
After all that UConn has accomplished the last two seasons, they are deserving favorites heading into the national title game. That being said, Purdue is almost definitely the toughest opponent that UConn has faced in more than a month.
UConn is unlikely to win the rebounding battle in this matchup by nearly double-digits, as they did against Illinois and Alabama. They should also face some resistance offensively against Purdue, a team that has yet to allow 70 points in a game during this tournament. In a lower-scoring affair, it’s more than reasonable to think Purdue has enough talent to keep this game competitive. An outright win would be surprising but not shocking.
- PICK: Purdue +7 (-110), bet365
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