X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Free NCAA Tournament Final Four Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (4/1/23)

NBA Betting Picks

Mike's top Final Four NCAA Tournament betting picks and best bets for today's college basketball games on 4/1/23. His free picks for March Madness games.

I went 0-for the Elite Eight last weekend, so that was more than a little disappointing. However, just seeing a Final Four with three first-timers and two mid-majors makes it worth it.

These four teams are a combined 15-1 against the spread so far in the NCAA Tournament. The only failed cover was FAU against Fairleigh Dickinson (you haven't forgotten about them already, have you?). Something has to give. With all of the ones, twos, and threes unceremoniously disposed of, we have a four, two five seeds, and a nine-seed. This is going to be a hell of a weekend!

In this article, you can find some of my favorite picks for the Final Four on Saturday, April 1, 2023. You can access all of our latest sports betting promos, and sign up for a sportsbook here.

Featured Promo: Get any Props Premium Pass for 50% off using code SUMMER. Win more with our two new Props Optimizer tools -- one for PrizePicks Props, and one for Sportsbook Betting Props. Find optimal prop bets and get our recommended picks daily! Go Premium, Win More!

 

(5) San Diego State vs. (9) Florida Atlantic

The Aztecs got this far with their brutal defense despite leading scorer Matt Bradley being more hindrance than help. How long can they survive like this? That's a fair question, but with the Aztecs only allowing about 55 points per contest in the NCAA Tournament, they really don't need Bradley's scoring with guys like Lamont Butler and Nathan Mensah picking up some slack each.

FAU operates like a hockey team. They go 9-10 guys deep and often replace 3-5 guys at a time. They like to run, space the court, and have really good guard play. That makes them a DFS nightmare, but it also makes them a really tough team to plan for. SDSU is really going to get after them, but the Owls are used to going deep into their bench anyway. They'll counter the stiff SDSU defense with a steady rotation of fresh bodies off the bench, all of whom have extensive experience.

The wild card here is Matt Bradley. He has scored in single digits in each of the last two games and has been awful from the floor, making just three of his 17 shot attempts. He had a good game in the opener against Charleston but has been conspicuously absent since. FAU is another team that can make him disappear. They'll throw a steady stream of defenders at him to keep him frustrated.

The Owls would like to get the Aztecs running more than they like, but with the brand of defense that the Aztecs play, I think this game slows down even if it starts fast. The Aztecs were able to slow down a Creighton team that routinely scored in the 80s in the Regional Final. That's not conducive to the Owls' upset bid, but I really have doubts that SDSU can continue to win without Bradley's help, especially against a deep team like this.

The Pick: Florida Atlantic ML (+130); u131.5 (-110)

 

(4) Connecticut vs. (5) Miami 

Back around Christmas, if you asked any college basketball fan who the best team in the country was, a large majority would have said UConn without hesitation. Now if you ask any college basketball fan who is going to win the title, it's UConn, also without hesitation. Strange how that works.

UConn's swoon in January in February was fueled by Adama Sanogo perpetually being in foul trouble and Andre Jackson's offensive struggles carrying over into his normally great defense. Those problems seem a distant memory now. UConn just annihilated a Gonzaga team that many had winning this region. I'm contrarian, so I would rather see another team win, but that's going to be a tough ask.

The only team that UConn really struggled with down the stretch was Marquette. They have three really good guards and some size in the middle. They went at Sanogo, frustrated him, and got him into foul trouble before ultimately fouling him out in two of the three meetings. Hey, I know of another team with three really good guards and some size in the middle. Unfortunately for the Huskies, it is their opponent in the National Semifinal.

Norchad Omier's leg is fine after a minor tweak in the Sweet 16 game. He's not the kind of bulk that they really need to counteract Sanogo, but he plays bigger than the 6'7"/250 that he's listed at.

Miami took an already good team and added Omier from Arkansas State and gave an (allegedly) ungodly NIL deal to Nijel Pack to lure him from the Little Apple. That has resulted in a Final Four berth. The main question I have here is if Miami will fold if UConn puts them down big. Both Arkansas and Gonzaga proved to be paper tigers. What is Miami made of?

Considering the similarities to Marquette, Miami has at least a puncher's chance here. They don't have any one player that can turn the scoreboard into a pinball machine like Tyler Kolek, but if you don't watch Jordan Miller, he can come close. If Miami gets punched in the mouth, I don't think they fold. Just look at the huge comeback against a really good Texas team.

I can see a small hedge on the Miami ML because I wouldn't be that shocked if it happened. It would not be a primary bet of mine though.

The Pick: Miami +5.5 (-110); UConn to win title (-130)

Enjoy the games and thanks for checking out my picks! Good luck!

More March Madness Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF