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The Connecticut Huskies get their title defense underway when they face the Stetson Hatters at the Barclays Center on Friday. This isn’t expected to be much of a contest, with the Huskies the overwhelming favorites to win. But the Hatters will want to give a good account of themselves, and in our latest March Madness NCAAB betting picks, we tell you how they will get on.
- What: 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament – First Round
- Who: Connecticut Huskies (1) vs. Stetson Hatters (16)
- Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
- When: Friday, March 22nd 2024
- Tip-Off: 1.45 p.m. ET
The UConn Huskies are the defending champions and the favorite to win the NCAA Tournament again in 2024. UConn is also ranked No. 1 in the East regional bracket and also regarded as the strongest school team in the competition.
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9s70c5itAB
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 17, 2024
The Stetson Hatters could be in for a long afternoon on Friday!
Despite winning their past three matches, this looks like a serious mismatch. The Hatters need to enjoy their day out at the Barclays Center because it will take one of the biggest upsets in the history of sport if they are to make it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Betting to win the Men’s 2024 NCAA Basketball Championship
This is our first chance to watch the betting favorite play in the postseason NCAA Tournament.
Before the First Four got underway, the Huskies were +400 to win the championship. But before UConn has even tipped off, they have seen their odds cut to +375 with the best March Madness betting sites.
UConn is followed in the betting by Houston at +650. The Cougars started the week at +550 but have been on the drift. Also drifting are fellow No.1 seeds, the Purdue Boilermakers at +750 (from +700) and North Carolina at +1600 (from +1100).
The Arizona Wildcats are +1200. With Auburn, Tennessee, and Iowa State, all at +1600. This market is red hot now. Almost changing by the hour, let alone the day.
Betting to win the East Region
There are no prizes for predicting that UConn is the betting favorite to win the East Region. UConn opened up at +110 with the best college basketball betting sites. They are now -105. And remember, this before they’ve even thrown a basketball.
Behind UConn in the betting is Auburn at +400 and Iowa State at +425. Illinois is the only other realistic contender in the eyes of the betting sites. The Fighting Illini are +600. After that, the odds start to stretch out with BYU at +1800 and San Diego State at +2200. For the record, Stetson is +25000 to win the bracket.
UConn Huskies vs. Stetson Hatters: March Madness Match Betting
Onto the betting to win the First Round tie. And a win for the UConn Huskies on the money line is -8000. Wow! The Stetson Hatters are +1750 to cause an upset that would shake the NCAA to its core.
On the handicap spread, the Hatters are receiving a 26.5-point advantage. To win with the spread, Stetson is -110. While to win and cover the 26.5-point spread, the Huskies are -110.
The total points amount is 145.5, with over and under both at -110. More betting options are available on our college basketball odds table. For our odds, we only use the top-rated NCAA basketball betting sites.
| UConn vs. Stetson |  |  |  |
| UConn | -8000 | -8000 | -8000 |
| Stetson | +1750 | +1750 | +1750 |
| UConn (-26.5) | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Stetson (+26.5) | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Over 145.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 145.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
UConn Huskies vs. Stetson Hatters: Latest Form
The UConn Huskies finished first in the Big East with a conference record of 18-2. Overall, this season, they are 31-3. The Huskies have a home record of 16-0 and an away record of 8-3. Just for good measure, they are on a winning streak of seven.
In the Big East Tournament, they were given a run for their money by St John’s. The No.5 seeded Red Storm only lost by five points (95-90) in a close encounter at the Garden. The Huskies followed that up by crushing Marquette – also at Madison Square Garden – by 73 points to 57.
The Stetson Hatters can’t quite match that record. They finished second in the Atlantic Sun with an overall record of 22-12 and a conference record of 11-5.
In their most recent matches, the Hatters defeated Queens NC 83-71, Jacksonville 88-87, and most recently, they beat Austin Peay 94-91. The three wins all came in the Atlantic Sun Tournament.
UConn Huskies vs. Stetson Hatters: Our Picks
The total points line is 145.5, and while that might seem high, a look at the last three results from the Hatters alone shows why. The two schools’ combined match average points is 159, and while it’s obvious that Stetson won’t contribute their usual amount, there is a good chance the Huskies will pick up the slack.
Over 145.5 total points is our first pick.
Moving onto the handicap spread, 26.5 points does look a lot for UConn to cover. But in nine matches this season when UConn was favored by over 20, they have covered in five. We are saying they will make it six.
UConn to win and cover the spread is our betting pick.
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