March Madness Betting Report: Here's How Early Bettors are Betting the Final Four
It's Final Four time, and bets are starting to pour in. Ahead is a mid-week betting report for both NCAA Tournament games on Saturday, April 3rd.
Just like last week, this report focuses on line movement, betting percentages and notable trends to help assist your betting picks this weekend. Make sure to bookmark this article, as it can be a helpful tool if you're a bettor who prefers betting on game day.
Before we dive in, all odds in this article come from our partners at the FanDuel Sportsbook. Right now, new FanDuel Sportsbook users get an unbelievable 40-to-1 odds boost on the Final Four. Bet $5 on any of the Final Four teams to win their game outright, and if they succeed, you’ll profit $200. New users can lock in this offer NOW by clicking this link.
(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; subject to change.)
No. 2 Houston vs. No. 1 Baylor (-5) – 5:14 p.m. ET
On the spread: Early bettors overwhelmingly like Baylor, who command 82% of the money on 77% of bets. The line for this game opened with Baylor as 4-point favorites but quickly increased a full point.
Trends: Underdogs of 5 points or less are 13-7 (65%) against the spread in the NCAA Tournament this season. Baylor has been no less than 6.5-point favorites in the Tournament and covered all four games. The Bears are also 8-0 against the spread when favored by 7.5 or fewer points this season.
On the total: The total was at 135 on Tuesday morning but currently sits a half-point less at 134.5. The line moved a half-point to the under despite 72% of the money on the over, possibly signaling respected money on the under.
Trend: Houston has gone to the under in three straight NCAA Tournament games, thanks in large part to Houston's No. 2 ranked scoring defense.
No. 11 UCLA vs. No. 1 Gonzaga (-14) – 8:34 p.m. ET
On the spread: This game features the largest spread of the two Final Four games, with Gonzaga expected to beat UCLA by double digits. Early bettors tend to agree, moving Gonzaga's opening line of -13 to its current -14. That said, some of the public appears to favor UCLA's long odds, which command 36% of bets, though it's only getting 24% of the handle.
Trends: UCLA is 5-0 against the spread (and straight-up) in the NCAA Tournament, winning four games outright as underdogs. Gonzaga has covered three games as favorites of 13 or more points in the Tournament. Gonzaga has also won 27 straight games by double digits.
On the total: The handle is nearly split on the total, with a slight edge to the over. On Tuesday, the total sat at 146 but was bet down to its current 145.5, likely signaling at least some respected money on the under.
Trends: NCAA Tournament totals of 140 or more points have gone to the under in 65.4% of games (17-9). Each team has seen their totals fall to the under in 3 of their last four games.
FanDuel Sportsbook users, don’t forget to take advantage of your 40-to-1 odds boost on the Final Four. Bet $5 on any of the Final Four teams to win their game outright, and if they succeed, you’ll profit $200. New users can lock in this offer NOW by clicking this link.
Erick Valenciano is a sports betting writer for OutKick. For more betting tips, follow @ErickValenciano on Twitter. Make sure you’re following our sports betting account, too: @OutKickBets.