Final Four Betting Preview, Odds & Predictions
2017 Final Four Betting Preview | Saturday April 1, 2o17
Final Four Spread Prediction and Odds
South Carolina Gamecocks vs Gonzaga Bulldogs
Game Time: 6:09pm EST | Odds: Gonzaga -6.5
“The Gamecocks are one of the surprise teams in this year’s Final Four. Did anyone have South Carolina in their bracket? They continue to impress me and while they have played great defense all season they are scoring buckets as well. Sindarius Thornwell is relentless and has made his case for MVP of the Tournament. Thornwell can lead this team to a championship and right now, South Carolina is very dangerous”, commented Greg Michaels.
“Gonzaga’s defense has provided them with the cushion to win, but it’s notable that the Bulldogs are only 4–5–1 ATS over their last 10 games. Odds show Gonzaga as the most worthy competitor to the National Championship (+180), next to UNC (+140). The Zags have been one of the top teams in the country all year and with one loss on the season they have had very little resistance from their opposition”, commented Kurt Poway.
“As good as South Carolina’s defense has played let’s not forget that Gonzaga has allowed 59 PPG in the Tournament. The biggest knock on this team all season, and in recent years, is their schedule is weak. Their conference is weak and their non-conference schedule is weak. All of this is true but the ‘Zags are finally showing that they can compete with any team in the country, regardless of conference”, commented OB Expert Joey Bergeron.
Oregon Ducks vs North Carolina Tar Heels
Game Time: 8:49pm EST
Odds: UNC -5
“Oregon is another surprise in this Final Four. You talk about an experienced team with players that have played a lot of college games. All five starters average double digits and they are resilient. They could have lost to Rhode Island. They could have lost to Michigan but they found a way to win and that’s what good teams do. Then they come out and beat Kansas by 14 points. This has been an impressive team that UNC must not take lightly”, said Tim Harris.
The Ducks are 17–7–1 ATS over their last 25 games.
“The great thing about the NCAA Tournament is that cinderella’s shine brighter than the favorites. A lot of the press in this Final Four has talked about South Carolina and Oregon, rightfully so, but are we overlooking this North Carolina team? All five starters are returning from the team that lost to Villanova in the National Championship game. No other team has this type of experience and they are looking for redemption”, said Patrick Adams.
North Carolina is 8–0 SU and 7–1 ATS in its last eight games against the Pac-12.
