Purdue vs UConn Prediction & Best Bets: Will Edey Deny a Huskies Repeat?

It’s not often that the college basketball season ends with the two best teams facing off for the national championship. But that’s what we will be treated to tonight as Purdue and UConn meet for all of the marbles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (9:20 pm ET, TBS).

The Huskies (36-3) are looking for the program’s sixth national championship and the first back-to-back men’s titles since Florida in 2006 and 2007. Saturday’s 14-point semifinal win over Alabama was their 12^th straight win since a loss at Creighton on February 20.

The Boilermakers, who lost to UCLA in 1969 in their only other title game appearance, will be hoping to spoil UConn’s night and win their first national title. With a win, they will match the path of Virginia’s 2019 team, who won the title a year after being upset by a #16 seed.

Both teams have been dominant on the way to reaching the last game of the season. After winning every NCAA Tournament game by double digits last year, the Huskies are a win away from doing the same this year. Purdue’s only single-digit win came in the Elite Eight against Tennessee, who was in the mix for a #1 seed.

What is in store for tonight? Will we see a close game between the two best teams in the country, or will the title be won in convincing fashion?

Purdue vs UConn Odds

Odds are via BetOnline, a longtime fixture in the sports betting industry. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then grab yourself a nice sign-up bonus to bet on Purdue vs UConn.

Spread

• Purdue +6.5 (-105)
• UConn -6.5 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 144.5 (-110)
• Under 144.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Purdue +255
• UConn -305

Looking for more college basketball picks? Our NCAA basketball picks page features moneyline, spread, and total (over/under) picks for tonight’s title game in Glendale.

Purdue vs UConn Prediction & Best Bets

For only the third time this season and ninth time in the last three seasons, the Boilermakers will go into a game as an underdog.

In those eight games, Purdue is 6-2 SU and ATS, suffering SU & ATS losses at Indiana and Maryland last season. This season, they are 2-0 SU and ATS as an underdog. They defeated Arizona 92-84 as a two-point underdog on December 16, then won 77-71 at Illinois as a 2.5-point underdog on March 5.

Tonight’s test is a much different one, however. The Huskies are not on the cusp of consecutive championships by accident or luck. They aren’t invincible, but they appear to have found that rare air that is occupied by only a few teams in recent men’s college basketball history (like Villanova’s 2018 team, Kentucky’s 2012 team, and Duke’s 2001 team).

The Huskies are an impressive 27-12 ATS this season, including 11-1 ATS since their 85-66 loss at Creighton. The lone missed cover in that time came against St. John’s in the Big East Tournament semifinals, a 95-90 win as a 9.5-point favorite.

Purdue vs UConn Players to Watch

Purdue

• Zach Edey: 24.9 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 2.1 APG
• Braden Smith: 12.0 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 43.0% 3PT
• Lance Jones: 11.9 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.0 APG
• Fletcher Loyer: 10.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 44.7% 3PT
• Trey Kaufman-Renn: 6.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG

UConn

• Tristen Newton: 14.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 6.2 APG
• Cam Spencer: 14.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 44.3% 3PT
• Alex Karaban: 13.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG
• Donovan Clingan: 13.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 1.5 APG, 64.0% FG
• Stephon Castle: 11.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.9 APG

Can the Boilermakers join the Bluejays, Kansas, and Seton Hall as the only teams to take down the Huskies this season?

Being armed with the best player in college basketball makes them more equipped than most. So does what they have done against quality competition.

This season, the Boilermakers have faced Tennessee, Illinois, and Gonzaga twice this season, as well as Marquette, Alabama, and Arizona. In those nine games, they are 9-0 SU and 7-1-1 ATS, which is pretty darn robust.

But just like Caitlin Clark and Iowa couldn’t find a way past a South Carolina juggernaut yesterday, I don’t see Zach Edey and Purdue being able to find a way past UConn tonight.

I do think they will get closer than most have, but close will not be enough to keep the Huskies from a place few teams can claim to occupy.

Purdue vs UConn Prediction: UConn to win

Purdue vs UConn Best Bets: UConn -6.5 & Purdue/UConn under 144.5

More March Madness Betting Information

Where Can You Bet on March Madness This Year?

Each year, millions upon of millions of March Madness bets are placed at the top online sports betting sites.

Most March Madness betting takes place around and at tournament time, which is from mid-March to early April. But throughout the year, you can bet on who you think will win the college basketball national championship.

Along with men’s college basketball odds, most good sportsbooks now carry women’s college basketball national championship odds. Those odds are drawing a lot of attention with the likes of South Carolina, Iowa, and LSU vying to cut down the nets in Cleveland, Ohio on April 7.

Numerous sportsbooks are good for March Madness betting, but in addition to BetOnline, here are some of the books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (Review)
• BetUS (Review)
• Bovada (Review)
• MyBookie (Review)

If you are unfamiliar with any of the above sites, check out our sportsbook reviews to learn more about them. Speaking of offers, keep an eye on the latest sportsbook offers from these books and others as the countdown to the opening tip of March Madness continues. That way, you will not miss out on any special sports betting promos and bonuses to pad your bankroll for March Madness betting.

Other March Madness Content at Betting News

If you like this Iowa vs South Carolina women’s national championship betting breakdown and would like to check out our other March Madness content, our March Madness guide is where you can find it all in one tidy place. But here’s a rundown of some of what we have put together to help you with your NCAA Tournament betting this year.

We’re also covering the 2024 NIT, so check out that content as well.

• Men’s March Madness Futures Odds
• Women’s March Madness Futures Odds
• 2024 Men’s Final Four Odds
• Six Men’s March Madness Sleepers for 2024
• Best March Madness Betting Tips & Strategies
• Where to Find the Best March Madness Betting Picks
• Best March Madness Betting Sites for This Year
• This Year’s Best March Madness Bracket Challenges
• Betting News Bracket Mania (Our FREE March Madness Bracket Challenge!)

Interested in Learning More About Betting on March Madness & NCAA Basketball?

If you are interested in learning more about betting on men’s or women’s NCAA basketball, check out our college basketball betting guide. It covers the basics of wagering on March Madness, the Mountain West, the MAAC, McNeese State, and beyond.

• College Basketball Betting Guide: How to Bet on NCAA Basketball in 2024

Also, follow Betting News on X/Twitter, Twitch, and TikTok to get more March Madness and NCAA basketball insight from myself and the rest of our team. We’re cooking up a lot of great NCAA Tournament content for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, so hit those links so you don’t miss out on any of it.

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