Purdue vs UConn Prediction College Basketball Picks 4/8/24

The Purdue Boilermakers and UConn Huskies meet Monday in the college basketball National Championship at State Farm Stadium. Purdue looks for its first title in school history, while UConn looks for back to back titles and the sixth in school history. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Purdue vs UConn prediction.

Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview

The Purdue Boilermakers are coming off wins over Grambling, Utah State, Gonzaga, Tennessee, and NC State. The Purdue Boilermakers are averaging 84.2 points on 49.1 percent shooting and allowing 70.2 points on 41.9 percent shooting. Zach Edey is averaging 24.9 points and 12.2 rebounds, while Braden Smith is averaging 12 points and 5.9 rebounds. Lance Jones is the third double-digit scorer and Fletcher Loyer is grabbing 2.1 rebounds. The Purdue Boilermakers are shooting 41.1 percent from beyond the arc and 72.2 percent from the free throw line. The Purdue Boilermakers are allowing 32 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 37.9 rebounds per game.

UConn Huskies Betting Preview

The UConn Huskies are coming off wins over Stetson, Northwestern, San Diego State, Illinois, and Alabama. The UConn Huskies are averaging 81.1 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 64 points on 39.8 percent shooting. Tristen Newton is averaging 14.9 points and 6.6 rebounds, while Cam Spencer is averaging 14.4 points and 3.7 assists. Alex Karaban is the third double-digit scorer and Donovan Clingan is grabbing 7.4 rebounds. The UConn Huskies are shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and 73.9 percent from the free throw line. The UConn Huskies are allowing 31.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.3 rebounds per game.

UConn Huskies Team Facts

• Connecticut has won each of its last 18 games played at neutral venues.
• Each of Connecticut’s last 11 games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
• Connecticut has won the first half in each of its last 17 games played at neutral venues.

Purdue Boilermakers Team Facts

• Purdue has won each of its last 16 games against non-Conference opponents.
• Each of Purdue’s last six games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 153+ points.
• Purdue has won the first half in each of its last eight night games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Matchup/League Facts

• Connecticut ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (123.7).
• Connecticut ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (97.5).
• Purdue ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage this season (41.1%).
• Purdue ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (57.9%).

Purdue vs UConn prediction

I can understand why some would lean toward the points with Purdue, given it has arguably the best player on the floor in Edey. The problem is UConn has simply been a buzz saw these last two seasons and while everybody has been getting cute betting against the Huskies, the tickets keep cashing. UConn has covered 9 of its last 10 games and is a ridiculous 27-12 ATS on the season. During these last two NCAA Tournaments, UConn is 11-0 SU and 11-0 ATS, with an average win margin of 22 points. This is a historic run we’re seeing from UConn, and it’s to the point you should probably blindly back the hot hand. Also, the Huskies also have size and shot blockers in Donovan Clingan and Samson Johnson that are sure going to give Edey all he can handle. Give me UConn to win back to back national titles and go 12-0 ATS during the run.  

Randy Chambers's Pick: UConn -6.5