Florida - Houston Opening Spread, Moneyline, Total: NCAA Tournament Championship Odds
With the matchup set for the NCAA tournament's national championship game, check out the opening odds for Florida vs. Houston, including the point spread, moneyline, and total. The Gators covered (-2.5) against Auburn before the Cougars (+4.5) upset Duke in the nightcap of the Final Four. Below is my analysis for the final tilt of the college basketball season, with some potential bets.
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Florida vs. houston opening odds: spread, moneyline, total
Monday, April 7, 8:50 p.m. ET
Point Spread
Moneyline
Total
florida vs. houston odds: how did we get here?
Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. stole the show in their victory on Saturday night, tallying 34 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field. He helped Florida overcome an eight-point halftime deficit, as Auburn scored just 27 points over the final 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, Tigers star Johni Broome generated his last made field goal with 15:29 left in the game. The Gators' ball pressure was the difference, as Broome and Auburn's guards struggled to create efficient looks off the dribble and near the rim. In fact, 12 of the Tigers' 14 turnovers came in the second half.
In the finalé, Houston stunned Duke by closing the contest on a 25-8 run with 8:17 left. The Blue Devils made two field goals in the final 13 minutes and none in the final three minutes.
Cooper Flagg, the heralded five-star freshman and Wooden Award victor, delivered a game-high 27 points, seven boards, three blocks, and two steals. However, Flagg missed the potential game-winning jumper in the waning seconds, allowing Houston to seal the win at the free-throw line.
Cougars guard L.J. Cryer paced his team with 26 points, including six three-pointers. Houston will make its first appearance in the national title game since 1984 after pulling off the fifth-largest comeback in Final Four history.
national title game betting: initial handicap
Per the Florida vs. Houston odds board, the Gators opened as one-point favorites at both Caesars and BetMGM Sportsbook.
For reference, the look-ahead line had Clayton and Co. favored by 1.5 points, so the market has adjusted slightly in Houston's direction.
Todd Golden's squad won the rebounding battle against Auburn, 39-30, but Florida will have difficulty repeating this feat against the Cougars. Led by the 6-foot-8 J'wan Roberts, Houston boasts the 10th-highest offensive rebounding rate nationally.
To boot, the Gators' defense has been exploited at the rim in their last five games, surrendering a 68.8% clip over this span.
I'll have a complete betting guide and podcast preview on TheLines this afternoon. Good luck with your wagers on Florida vs. Houston odds!
watcH: Florida vs. houston betting preview
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