The contrast in 2023 could not be more pronounced than when four conventional collegiate basketball powers met for the Final Four last year, each bringing its own group of previous top-100 prospects and at least one past McDonald’s All-American. There are no previous McDonald’s All-Americans who will be wearing uniforms in Houston this weekend for the national semifinals between No. 4 seed UConn, No. 5 seed Miami, No. 5 seed San Diego State, and No. 9 seed FAU.
It’s the first time that’s happened since the NCAA started seeding the tournament in 1979, and it’s just one way to describe the unsung group of athletes who will be vying for a national championship on the sport’s biggest stage. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of my favorite prop bets for Saturday.
2023 March Madness: Final Four Prop Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
(4) UConn (-5.5) vs. (5) Miami | Total 149.5
Yes, Gonzaga was the best team UConn faced outside of Miami to this point, and the trip to Houston wasn’t nearly as arduous as others, but no one is doing better this month.
Here, size will be important. A guard-focused club like Texas was the ideal match for Miami in many respects, but against UConn, they have just too much bulk and size to overcome. The Huskies can continue to exert pressure inside and expect big man Adama Sanogo to lead that effort.
Prop Pick: Adama Sanogo Over 8.5 Rebounds (-105)
Whether you're new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our 101 section - including How to Choose a Sportsbook - or head to a more advanced strategy - like Which Sports Are Most Profitable to Bet? - to learn more.
Check out all of our coverage for the 2023 NCAA Tournament >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Johnny is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his free UFC picks newsletter and follow him @JohnnyCovers.