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The Final Four is here! It’s always exciting to get back into the madness, and these first couple of rounds have already been wild.
There is much to consider while running through some games in the Final Four. Favorites taking care of business, upset potential, and over/under are the beautiful aspects of what makes the NCAA Tournament the most chaotic event in sports. Many of these matchups are unfamiliar, presenting exciting and new elements for each team.
In this article, I share some of my favorite picks for the NCAA Tournament Final Four on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Check out our other NCAA Tournament articles, as we will offer picks and DFS suggestions throughout the tournament. Find me on X @JustinPottinger. Let's dive in!
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Purdue (1) vs. NC State (11)
6:09 p.m. EDT (TBS)
Line: Purdue -9.5 vs. NC State
The Wolfpack's Cinderella story continues after they defeated Duke in the Elite Eight. They are now just one game away from a National Championship appearance. NC State will have its most difficult task on Saturday as it faces a strong Purdue team. The game line is currently set at -9.5 in favor of the Boilermakers.
The matchup that the entire nation is excited to spectate will be the big men clashing down in the paint, with stars Zach Edey and DJ Burns Jr. soon to be battling it out at the rim. Burns, who stands at 6-foot-9, has had a fantastic tournament and is averaging 13.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season.
Edey will be his most challenging matchup yet, as the senior averages 25.0 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. The game plan for the Wolfpack will be apparent: stop Edey. Purdue has been so dominant this tournament they will become too much for NC State.
In a game that will start close, Purdue will make second-half adjustments and stomp on the Cinderella story that NC State is living in. Purdue wins the game while also covering the 9.5 spread and will advance to the National Championship.
The Pick: Purdue -9.5 (ESPN Bet)
UConn (1) vs. Alabama (4)
8:49 p.m. EDT (TBS)
Line: UConn -11.5 vs. Alabama
Another massive line is given this week for UConn, and after seeing how they’ve been playing, I think it makes plenty of sense. In this battle, Alabama is slated as the underdog by 11.5 points. Alabama brings a ton of firepower and has multiple stars on this team with Mark Sears and Grant Nelson. There is no surprise that Sears will be the best player on the court despite UConn having a loaded roster. Nelson has also been fantastic this tournament and is coming off a near double-double in their Elite Eight win over Clemson.
For UConn, this is a team that has just dominated the tournament, winning by double digits in every round so far. Big man Donovan Clingan will be the key factor in this game as the 7-foot-2 center will be unguardable with Alabama lacking height. Alabama ranks second in the nation in points per game, but its defense is what the Crimson Tide will have to lean on as they have shown strides of inconsistency this season on that end.
In a game that could come down to coaching, I see Alabama covering in this game. I think UConn will be your future national champion, but Alabama is getting way too many points for a team that has multiple scoring threats on its roster. The Crimson Tide cover the spread in this game, but UConn will move on to the National Championship.
The Pick: Alabama +11.5 (ESPN Bet)
FINAL FOUR BOUND‼️#MadeForMarch | #MixForSix pic.twitter.com/5brogsETVP
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 31, 2024
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