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Early Women’s Final Four Predictions and Odds for March Madness
As the Women’s Final Four approaches, basketball fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating the matchups and looking for opportunities to make some money. In this article, we will analyze two of the highly anticipated games and provide our predictions based on the information at hand.
NC State vs. South Carolina Prediction
The first game we will dive into is the matchup between NC State and South Carolina. The odds currently favor South Carolina, with a spread of -11.5 points. Looking at NC State’s recent performances, their offense has been impressive, averaging over 76 points in their past three tournament games. However, it’s worth noting that they heavily relied on a 39 percent 3-point shooting performance in those games. Without such a stellar shooting performance, they may struggle to replicate their offensive success against a South Carolina team that has held opponents to just 27 percent shooting from beyond the arc throughout the season.
On the defensive end, NC State’s strength lies in their ability to rebound the ball and limit second-chance opportunities for their opponents. This will be crucial against a South Carolina team that heavily relies on offensive rebounds for scoring. NC State ranks in the top 15 nationally in defensive rebounding rate and has allowed just eight second-chance points in their previous three games. With these factors in mind, we anticipate a closely contested game with a focus on defense.
Our pick for this game is the under on the total points, set at 139.5. With NC State’s potential shooting regression and their strong defensive rebounding, we expect a low-scoring affair.
UConn vs. Iowa Prediction
The second game on our radar is the matchup between UConn and Iowa. The odds slightly favor Iowa with a -2.5 point spread. In this game, all eyes will be on the battle between two star players, Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Paige Bueckers of UConn. Clark has faced UConn twice before and lost both games, but her shooting percentage was below her usual standards. With shooting splits of 58 percent from 2-point range and 38 percent from 3-point range, it’s hard to imagine Clark having a poor shooting performance for a third consecutive game against UConn. Given her typical shooting prowess, the previous matchups could have gone in Iowa’s favor.
When it comes to UConn, this year’s team is different from their past powerhouses. They have a thin roster, relying on a six-woman lineup, which could potentially lead to fatigue and foul trouble in the later stages of the game. Additionally, the Huskies have not played a single game within a five-point margin all season, raising concerns about their ability to perform under pressure.
Considering these factors, we lean towards Iowa covering the spread of -2.5 points. While it remains uncertain whether Bueckers can outplay Clark in a close game with a trip to the National Championship on the line, we are willing to take our chances with Iowa.
In conclusion, the Women’s Final Four promises to be an exciting event filled with intense matchups and potential upsets. As bettors, we must carefully analyze the statistics, player performances, and team dynamics to make informed decisions. While these predictions are based on available information, March Madness is notorious for its unpredictability, so proceed with caution and enjoy the thrilling basketball action.
