It's Final Four Friday, so I've got to ask: What better time to make some Final Four betting picks than right now?
Never. The answer is never.
With all four teams in Houston, it's time to make our official game picks.
As always, the lines are presented by Betfred Sportsbook - where you can bet $50 on any game this weekend, and get up to $1,111 in free bets, thanks to Betfred.
Now, to the picks:
No. 9 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 5 San Diego State: Saturday, 6:09 ET, CBS
Spread: San Diego State (-2.5)
Over/Under: 131.5
I know the opener between Florida Atlantic and San Diego State might not seem like a great matchup on paper. But don't tell San Diego State's players that this is a "boring" Final Four because there's no Duke, Carolina or Kentucky.
No, literally, I asked San Diego State's players about the concept that this Final Four is "boring" and if they deemed it an insult, and yeah, they weren't happy with the question.
At the same time though, the reason I asked their players that question is for a simple reason: If you actually follow college hoops, you know there's nothing boring about San Diego State. They're one of the most consistent programs in the sport, making the NCAA Tournament four of the last five years, winning four of five Mountain West regular season championships during that stretch as well.
So to say the Final Four is boring, implies they're not good. Which is absurd.
And I think they show it again on Saturday night.
Being around San Diego State, this is just a team of grown men (they have eight players who are considered seniors, either as fourth, fifth- or sixth-year guys) that aren't phased by anything. Heck, just in the last two rounds they largely dictated the game against No. 1 overall seed Alabama, all while rallying against Creighton.
In terms of this game, look, I know that Florida Atlantic has gotten here beating tough of the toughest teams and defenses in the sport in Memphis and Tennessee.
But for four straight rounds we've seen San Diego State completely wear down teams and find ways to win.
I suspect they do that again on Saturday. San Diego is my Best Bet of the weekend.
Final Score: San Diego State 69, Florida Atlantic 60
Official Betfred Best Bet: San Diego State (-2.5)
No. 5 Miami vs. No. 4 UConn: Saturday, 8:39 ET, CBS
Spread: UConn (-5.5)
Over/Under: 149.5
Now, to the nightcap, where there are two truths coming into this one:
UConn has been the best team in the tournament so far, by a wide margin. And Miami is by far their toughest test so far.
And really, it's been interesting to see this week and evolve. Early on, it felt like everyone deemed this weekend "The UConn Invitational" yet as time has gone on, now it feels like a lot of people are giving Miami a chance.
And they should.
Miami, like San Diego State above, isn't just some plucky "happy to be here" group. They know they're good, and expect to win. That tends to happen when you win an ACC regular season title, knock out Houston and rally to beat Texas in the Elite Eight.
Point being, I expect Miami to give UConn its toughest test of the tournament, in what should be a fun, high-scoring night cap.
In the end, rather than picking a side, my official Best Bet is the over of 149.
Final Score: UConn 81, Miami 77
Official Betfred Best Bet: OVER 149
To get full odds on the NCAA Tournament - visit Betfred Sportsbook
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