Key Points
- UConn Huskies looking to become first back-to-back champions since 2006-2007.
- Purdue Boilmakers searching for their first championship in program history.
- Alabama Crimson Tide searching for their first championship in program history.
- NC State Wolfpack looking for their first championship since 1983.
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
March Madness is now down to the Final 4 with the four best teams in the tournament battling it out for their spot in the championship. We have the UConn Huskies who were the odds-on favorite to win it all again this year. Then we have Purdue Boilermakers who many have pegged to make the championship opposite UConn with their big man Zach Edey who could be the bonafide top pick in this year's NBA Draft.
Of course, we can't forget the Cinderella stories of the No. 4-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 11-seeded NC State Wolfpack, Alabama made their presence known by defeating UNC in a nail-biter while trailing by double digits. As for NC State, they defied the odds time and time again when they beat the No. 2-seeded Marquette Golden Eagles and Duke Blue Devils as underdogs to reach their first Final 4 since 1983.
This year's championship is up for grabs and you can make an argument as to why each team will win it all this year. Could it be the dominant UConn Huskies team looking to become the next back-to-back March Madness Champions?
How about the Purdue Boilermakers who have been shooting lights out from three with one of the best players in the country dominating in the paint? What about the streaky Alabama Crimson Tide who took down one of the favorites to reach the Final 4? Could the Cinderella story of the NC State Wolfpack have a happy ending with their first Championship since 1983?
There are four great teams still left to battle it out and we take a look at why each team has the chance to get that coveted title as well as our prediction and pick who wins this year's March Madness tournament.
MARCH MADNESS FUTURES ODDS
NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPION 2024
- CONNECTICUT HUSKIES: -185
- PURDUE BOILERMAKERS: +190
- ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE: +1300
- NC STATE WOLFPACK: +2000
BEST MARCH MADNESS ODDS FOR NC STATE WOLFPACK VS. DUKE BLUE DEVILS
- The UConn Huskies are the odds-on favorite to win the tournament. FanDuel currently has the best odds at (-185)
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- The Purdue Boilermakers are right behind the Huskies with the second-best odds to win it all. BetMGM currently has the best odds at (+210)
- The No. 4-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide comes in with the third-best odds to win it all. BetRivers currently has the best odds at (+1800)
- The Cinderella team the NC State Wolfpack has the longest odds of winning it all. FanDuel currently has the best odds at (+2000)
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?INJURY REPORT
CONNECTICUT HUSKIES INJURY REPORT
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS INJURY REPORT
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE INJURY REPORT
- LATRELL WRIGHTSELL JR. - PROB. SAT - HEAD
- DAVIN COSBY JR. - OUT INDEFINITELY - FOOT
NC STATE WOLFPACK INJURY REPORT
- LJ THOMAS - OUT FOR SEASON - PERSONAL
- DENNIS PARKER JR. - OUT INDEFINITELY - ILLNESS
- MJ RICE - OUT FOR SEASON - REDSHIRT
WHY UCONN HUSKIES WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The UConn Huskies have been every analyst's favorite to win it all from the beginning and for good reason. They have been leagues above the rest in the nation. Their stats may not jump off the page but they have been by far the most well-rounded team that can do it all. They are efficient on offense and stifling on defense.
What they did to one of the top-scoring teams in the nation Illinois was quite impressive. They were able to limit them to just 25% from the floor and 26% from 3-point range. If this UConn Husky's defense can keep their tenacity in their final two games of the tournament they will be hard to beat as they look to become the next back-to-back champs since the 2006-2007 Florida Gators.
WHY PURDUE BOILERMAKERS WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Purdue Boilermakers are right behind UConn in the odds to win the tournament. This Boilermakers team is spearheaded by one of the best players in the country Zach Edey who's a human cheat code. Edey is averaging 29.5 points per game on 64.8% shooting with 14.7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game during the tournament.
His presence on the court has opened up scoring for the rest of the team as they are near the top in the nation in most scoring categories ranking 11th in points (84.2), 16th in FG% (49.1), 2nd in 3PT%, (41.1%) and 9th in rebounds (37.9). If Edey can keep the ball rolling he could help Purdue win their first championship.
WHY ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama has been nothing short of remarkable during their run to the Final 4. Outside of UConn, UNC was everyone's favorite to at least make the finals but Alabama had other plans.
They squeaked out a two-point victory after coming back from a double-digit deficit.
Mark Sears has been the Crimson Tide's star and their savior down the stretch. During the tournament, he is averaging 23.8 ppg on 49.4% shooting, 40.5% from 3PT, 5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals. He is the heart and soul of this Alabama team and if he can spark this Alabama team against UConn, do not be surprised if they spring the colossal upset.
WHY NC STATE WOLFPACK WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
This year's Cinderella story has been none other than the No. 11-seeded NC State Wolfpack. They defied the odds each every game throughout this tournament. They first had a scare going to overtime with Oakland in the first round but then it was lights out basketball.
They jumped out to big first-half leads against Marquette and Duke and never let up. It has been the DJ Horne and D.J. Burns Jr. show when the Wolfpack take the court. In their upset win against Duke, Horne and Burns Jr. combined for 49 of the Wolfpack's 76 points. Those two are the heart and soul of this team and will need to bring everything they have if they want to win the championship for the first time since 1983.
FINAL NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPION PICK & PREDICTION
These are four great teams that are going to give us some amazing action in the Final 4. However, it's hard to overlook the top two teams in this tournament the UConn Huskies and the Purdue Boilermakers.
They are leaps and bounds better than the rest for a reason and they will show that here this weekend. While everyone is expecting back-to-back championships from UConn, I am going with the latter and taking Purdue to win their first-ever NCAA March Madness Championship.
FINAL NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPION PICK & PREDICTION: PURDUE BOILERMAKERS (+190)
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