2024 NCAA Final Four Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament: Latest Line Movements

If you believe those stats released by iGaming Ontario yesterday marking the two-year anniversary of the opening of a regulated Ontario market, then there should be a ton of betting interest in the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament games this weekend.

To the surprise of many of us, basketball is by far the most popular sport when it comes to sports betting among the 27 licensed operators in Ontario (24%), followed by football (15%). There are more than 60 other sports markets in Ontario today. 

Tonight is the two NCAA women’s college basketball Final Four, with 3 NC State (31-6) up against 1 South Carolina (36-0), at 7 p.m. EST, followed by 3 UConn (33-5) up against 1 Iowa (33-4), at 9 p.m. EST.

Tomorrow it’s the men’s Final Four: 11 NC State (26-14) up against 1 Purdue (33-4) at 6:09 p.m. EST, then 4 Alabama (25-11 versus 1 UConn (35-3) at 8:49 p.m. EST. 

🏀 Bet on NCAA Women's College Basketball Final Four at DraftKings 🏀

On the men’s side, at BetMGM, 71% of bets and 73% of handle are on NC State (+9.5), with bets heavily weighted on the Over (145.5) – 64% of bets, 69% of handle as of this morning. The moneyline on NC State (4.50 at BetMGM) is also very telling – 94% of bets, 93% of handle.

For the second game, UConn is seeing 63% of bets and 62% of handle on the spread ( -11.5), with 71% of bets and 78% of handle on the Over (160.5 at BetMGM). Moneyline betting is massively on Alabama (6.25) – 87% of bets, 81% of handle.

On the most bet player prop front on the men’s side, according to BetMGM, here’s where most of the money is going: For NC State versus Purdue, it’s Zach Edey over 13.5 rebounds (1.71), DJ Burns Jr. over 14.5 points (1.87), Zach Edey over 26.5 points (1.80), Trey Kaufman-Renn under 5.5 points (2.15), DJ Horne over 16.5 points (1.95). 

For Alabama versus UConn: Grant Nelson over 9.5 points (1.83), Mark Sears over 19.5 points (1.91), Mark Sears over 2.5 three-pointers (1.87), Donovan Clingan over 15.5 points (1.95), Donovan Clingan over 9.5 rebounds (1.83).

“Bettors love NC State. The Wolfpack are attracting heavy action on the money line and spread; additionally, NC State is our biggest liability to win the NCAA tournament. BetMGM will be screaming ‘boiler up!’ on Saturday as Purdue winning is the best outcome for us,” said Seamus Magee, Trading Manager, BetMGM. 

🏀 Bet on NCAA Men's College Basketball Final Four at BetMGM 🏀

On the women’s side, NC State is seeing most of the betting action off that +11.5 spread (53% of bets, 73% of handle), while bettors also clearly like the Over at BetMGM (139.5, 72% of bets, 81% of handle). On the moneyline, NC State (6.50 this morning) is seeing 87% of bets, 57% of handle. 

In the second game, bettors love Iowa – 84% of bets and 88% of handle on the spread (-2.5), and 62% of bets and 76% of handle on the moneyline (1.65 at BetMGM this morning, down from the opening 1.67). The Over for that game (162.5) is seeing the most action – 59% of bets, 81% of handle.

On the most bet player prop front on the women’s side, according to BetMGM, here’s where most of the money is going: For NC State versus South Carolina, Saniya Rivers over 11.5 points (1.77), River Baldwin over 4.5 rebounds (1.87), Kamilla Cardoso over 15.5 points (1.87), Aziaha James over 18.5 points (1.87), Saniya Rivers under 3.5 assists (1.77).

And for UConn versus Iowa, no surprises here since everyone seems to be talking about her - Caitlin Clark over 33.5 points (1.87), Clark over 5.5 3-pointers (1.67), Clark over 9.5 assists (1.63), Paige Bueckers over 26.5 points (1.83), Bueckers over 2.5 3-pointers (2.05). 

🏀 Bet on College Basketball Final Four at FanDuel 🏀

The FanDuel Canada Trading Team is seeing considerable interest from fans with this year’s NCAA Basketball Tournaments. The recent Iowa-LSU game was FanDuel’s biggest betting event of all time for women's sports. Currently, Iowa has 40% of the bets and 40.5% of the stakes to win the NCAA Women’s Tournament.

For the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship 2024 market, NC State is dominating the market in terms of the most bet team but in terms of money, Connecticut is leading the pack with 17% of the total stake being bet on them alone.

And at DraftKings, Clark Over 10.5 Assists is generating 85% of handle, 85% of bets, while Clark Over 33.5 Points is generating 78% of handle, 85% of bets.

Games are being broadcast in Canada on TSN.