UConn vs. Iowa Prediction: Can Huskies Slow Down Caitlin Clark, Hawkeyes in Women's Final Four?
UConn vs. Iowa Prediction: Can Huskies Slow Down Caitlin Clark, Hawkeyes in Women's Final Four?
I don’t know if there’s ever been this much buzz surrounding the women’s NCAA Tournament than there has been this year, and for good reason! The sport is in a great place with superstars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers who are still competing in this tournament. Two of the best players in the sport are facing off in the women’s Final Four on Friday night…we have to find a bet in this game, right? Let’s dive into my favorite play…
UCONN VS. IOWA DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: April 5, 2024
- Start Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+
UCONN VS. IOWA ODDS
- Spread: UConn +2.5 (-114), Iowa -2.5 (-115)
- Total Odds: O/U 162 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: UConn (+130), Iowa (-145)
UCONN VS. IOWA PREDICTION
Everyone will be tuning in to tonight’s Final Four matchup between two of the best teams in the sport. Everyone will be hoping for a shootout between Clark and Bueckers, and with the total set at 162.5 it’s clear oddsmakers are expecting some points as well. Although it would be epic to witness Clark and/or Bueckers drop a 40-piece, is it realistic? That total seems extremely high for a Final Four game…
These teams have played on the biggest of stages, so I’m not saying they are going to be nervous out there or that the lights will be too bright, but I do think that the total is a little high. These teams are both loaded with talent, hence the short spread, but if this game is going to be close do we really think each team is putting up 80+ points in this contest? All it’s going to take for this game to go under is one of these two teams to underperform offensively.
Geno Auriemma is known as the greatest women’s college basketball coach in the history of the sport. Don’t you think he will have some tricks up his sleeve to counter Caitlin Clark with? Let’s not forget that this Huskies team had the 7th-best defensive FG% in the country this season. UConn can play a little defense to go along with Paige Bueckers’ 22 PPG, and I’m fully expecting Coach Auriemma to slow this game down. If they control the tempo in this contest, there’s a chance Caitlin Clark won’t be able to get into her fast-paced rhythm.
Nearly 70% of the bets (on VSIN) are currently backing this over, but the total has dropped nearly a point since the opening lines were released. With the public slamming the over hoping for a high-scoring affair, fade the public and bet on the under in tonight’s late-night Final Four matchup. This total is simply too high, and with the spread as short as it is, I’m expecting a much closer, lower-scoring game than the rest of the public.
UCONN VS. IOWA Pick
Pick: CONN/IOWA u162.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
NCAAW TOURNAMENT ODDS
Article Author
Krabs is a contrarian bettor who isn’t afraid to fade the public or go against the grain. His betting style not only produces winners but has changed the way many think about the sports betting process. You’ll find Krabs betting on anything from the NFL (at a 60% clip in 2022) to the KBO (8-1-1 in 2022). You won’t find many handicappers with more college basketball knowledge or insight than Krabs. A native of the “DMV,” you can find his work @Krabs_Bets on Twitter, or on Behind the Lines, his daily sports betting show on twitch.