March Madness Betting Odds: 5 Biggest Final Four Spreads Since 2003

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Written By Eli Hershkovich | Last Updated
Final Four Betting

Although the 2024 NCAA Tournament doesn’t resume until Saturday, March Madness odds are available for Final Four betting. The 20.5 combined points that UConn and Purdue are favored by is the second-most in the national semifinals in the last 60 years, dating back to UCLA and UNC in 1972. With that in mind, let’s examine where these Final Four spreads slot in over the last two decades.

Click on any of the odds below to place a wager. These are the best available in your state. If you’re a resident of North Carolina, you can also lock in the top NC sportsbook promo codes for the Final Four!

final four betting: biggest spreads since 2003

5. 2024: No. 1 Purdue (-9) vs. No. 11 NC State

Although some sportsbooks have the Boilermakers listed as high as a 9.5-point favorite, the consensus has them stationed at -9. Purdue upended Tennessee in the Elite Eight, where Zach Edey tallied a 40-point, 16-rebound performance. In fact, Edey is the first player to score 40+ points in the Elite 8 or later since former Purdue guard Carsen Edwards scored 42 points in an overtime loss to Virginia in 2019.

Matt Painter’s bunch will face 11th-seeded NC State in Phoenix. The Wolfpack are vying to become the first No. 9 seed or higher to reach the national title game in March Madness history. Moreover, teams in this situation are only 3-6 against the spread (ATS).

4. 2013: No. 1 Louisville (-9.5) vs. No. 9 Wichita State

The eventual national champion Cardinals trailed the Shocker by 12 points with 13:15 left, but Cleanthony Early & Co. couldn’t hang on in a four-point defeat. Rick Pitino’s squad defeated Michigan in the championship game, and sharpshooter Luke Hancock was named the 2013 Final Four Most Outstanding Player. The title was later vacated after Rick Pitino was fired amid a massive bribery probe.

3. 2016: No. 1 North Carolina (-10) vs. No. 10 Syracuse

In the previous round against fellow ACC rival Virginia, Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson scored 21 of his 23 points in their improbable second-half comeback. Nevertheless, that momentum halted versus the Tar Heels, surrendering 1.26 points per possession (PPP) to UNC while Roy Williams’ unit manufactured a 43-31 rebounding edge. The Orange failed to cover the spread in the process.

2. 2024: No. 1 UConn (-11.5) vs. No. 4 Alabama

In the other set of this year’s Final Four betting odds, the Huskies aim to cover their 11th straight game in the last two NCAA tournaments.

In Saturday’s blowout win, Illinois tallied a 3-of-25 (12%) shooting display from inside the arc in Donovan Clingan’s 22 minutes, going 0-for-19 when challenging him directly. After halftime, the 7-foot-2 center flipped the script, showcasing incredible timing as a rim-protector and moving well around the perimeter.

Conversely, the Crimson Tide rank in the 99th percentile of 3-point attempt rate nationally. They can challenge this juggernaut they remain scorching hot from behind the arc, shooting 41.4% in their four NCAA tournament games.

1. 2021: No. 1 Gonzaga (-14) vs. No. 11 UCLA

Not only were the Bulldogs heavily favored in this contest, but it was also expected to be a laugher. The Bruins received plenty of shooting luck to reach the Final Four, with their opponents shooting just 24.7% from deep and 60% from the line. If you were wondering, free throws aren’t actually free.

However, Johnny Juzang’s 29-point performance helped UCLA continue to shock its naysayers by reaching overtime. In the final seconds of the extra frame, heralded freshman Jalen Suggs hit a walk-off triple to deliver Gonzaga’s second national championship appearance in program history.

outside shots: final four betting preview

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