Yahoo Sports Purdue vs. UConn: Predictions and odds for Monday's NCAA Championship game
It all comes down to this. The madness ends tonight as the No. 1 UConn Huskies take on the No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers for the 2024 NCAA championship game.
Each team comes into this game with a different storyline attached to them. The Huskies are the defending champions. They've been the favorites to win it all the entire year. The burden of expectation has been placed on their shoulders for far too long for any team to bear and yet they've thrived. Purdue, on the other hand, is looking to mirror 2018 Virginia, who became the first No. 1 seed in March Madness history to lose to a No. 16 seed but then win the tournament the very next year. Purdue is now just one game away from making that dream a reality.
At the very least, the Boilermakers have the best player on either team in center Zach Edey. Edey has been a monster all tournament long, but we will finally be able to see how he performs when all the lights are on him on college basketball's biggest stage. Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 NCAA Finals matchup.
NCAA Tournament: Purdue's Lance Jones shows in Final Four why he is missing piece in team's run to title game
Predictions for 2024 NCAA Finals: UConn vs. Purdue
CBS Sports: Purdue (+6.5)
Gary Parrish writes, "UConn is more efficient offensively than Purdue, more efficient defensively than Purdue, equipped with more future NBA players than Purdue and bigger and more athletic on the perimeter than Purdue. Yes, I have a full understanding of why Dan Hurley's Huskies are the favorites in Monday's title game of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. That acknowledged, Purdue is still a No. 1 seed with a two-time National Player of the Year in Zach Edey."
Fansided: Huskies win
Reed Wallach writes, "Ultimately, I side with the Huskies, the most complete team in the country. Edey is great, but the team can’t exploit any holes on the UConn roster to get over the hump. It's a tax, but it's UConn or nothing for me in the title game."
Bleacher Report: Tristen Newton to score 20+
Joe Tansey writes, "Tristen Newton produced a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double in last season's national championship win over San Diego State. Newton scored in double figures in four of UConn's five NCAA tournament games. The Huskies will turn to him to provide veteran experience, and that could lead to him taking a bunch of the early shots."
Purdue vs. UConn: Odds, spread and lines for NCAA Finals
The UConn Huskies are favorites to defeat Purdue in Monday's national championship game, according to the BetMGM college basketball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos in 2024.
Odds as of Sunday afternoon.
Spread: UConn (-6.5)
Moneyline: UConn (-275); Purdue (+225)
Over/under: 145.5
How to watch Purdue vs. UConn:
Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
Time: 9:20 p.m. ET/6:20 p.m. PT
Where: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
TV: TBS, TNT, truTV
Streaming: Paramount+, Hulu, fuboTV
Stream the game: Watch the 2024 NCAA Finals with a Fubo subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Purdue vs. UConn: Predictions, odds for NCAA championship game
