Analysis of Early Final Four Picks and Betting Lines for Houston vs Duke and Florida vs Auburn

• We’ve finally reached the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament
• It’s been a wild, wild ride but now it’s time to bet on who will meet for the National Championship
• See my favorite early Final Four picks for Houston vs Duke and Florida vs Auburn

We’ve made it to the Final Four and, even though it’s early, I think it’s time to lay some bets down. These lines move and they move fast so by getting down early in the week, you set yourself up for success. You also set yourself up for a sweet, sweet alpha moment. Hear me out. It’s Saturday night and you’re going to meet your friends for the games. You locked in Duke -4.5 today, but your friends bet right before the game and they all got Duke -6. There isn’t a much better feeling in the world than telling the boys you got Duke -4.5 earlier in the week. It’s not the end all be all, but it is a great feeling. It’s the sports betting equivalent of buying something before it sells out. Won’t solve world hunger, but it makes you feel like you could.

Lucky for us, we’ve got an idea of where both Final Four lines will head before this weekend. Feels right.

Best Final Four Bets to Target Early

Odds as of March 31 at FanDuel. Claim the FanDuel promo code to get a bonus for these college basketball games.

Florida Should Get Hit Hard

I don’t know what else the Florida Gators need to do before they start getting more respect from the books. These kids have done nothing but win since the beginning of March and they’re still only a 2.5-point favorite on Saturday night. That’s a damn shame.

Even though they’re getting disrespected here, it’s great to be a Gator.

IT’S GR8 TO BE A GATOR pic.twitter.com/1oo7paeQTs

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) March 30, 2025

Obviously Auburn is the number one-seeded team in this tournament so they aren’t a joke. Florida will need everything they have to beat the Tigers but I doubt this line stays at -2.5 for very long. The Gators are just too much. There’s just too many of them.

We’ve already seen Florida go to Auburn and beat them on their own floor so it’s not like I’m just talking out of my ass here. The difference will be defense as Florida is a top-10 unit in the country. Combine that with the fact that they’ve got the country’s second-best offense and we’re cooking with grease. Look for this line to be at least -3 by the time this thing tips off. Feels easy.

• The Bet: Florida -2.5 (-115) – FanDuel

Duke Won’t Be -4.5 for Long

There is only one team in the country that can beat the Florida Gators and that is the Dike Blue Devils. They’ve rolled through this tournament like the wagon they are and it doesn’t look like they’ll stop any time soon. These kids can play and who knows if anyone can slow them down.

One thing is for sure, nobody wants to see these guys.

TO THE FOUR pic.twitter.com/o3Rg6W24XO

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 30, 2025

Being 4.5-point favorites seems like a lot over a team like the Houston Cougars but it really isn’t. I could see this thing going even higher by the time this game tips. This is unfamiliar territory fo the Cougars as they haven’t been this big of an underdog all season but they also haven’t played Duke all season.

The Cougars downfall will be Duke’s offense. It sounds crazy to say that since Houston has the best defense in the country but they simply won’t stop Duke’s number one ranked offense (according to KenPom). We saw the Cougars struggle with Gonzaga in this tournament, giving up 76 points. They’ll give up way more than that to the Blue Devils. We might as well bet -4.5 now while we still can. Feels like the move.

• The Bet: Duke -4.5 (-115) – FanDuel

As March Madness continues to heat up, basketball fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Final Four matchups. Two of the most highly anticipated games are Houston vs Duke and Florida vs Auburn. Let’s take a closer look at the early Final Four picks and betting lines for these exciting matchups.

Houston vs Duke:

The Houston Cougars have been a force to be reckoned with this season, boasting an impressive record and a strong showing in the tournament so far. Led by star player Quentin Grimes, the Cougars have proven themselves to be a formidable opponent on both ends of the court.

On the other side, the Duke Blue Devils have also had a successful season, with a talented roster that includes standout players like Paolo Banchero and Wendell Moore Jr. Duke’s high-powered offense and strong defense make them a tough team to beat.

In terms of early Final Four picks, many experts are predicting a close and competitive game between Houston and Duke. The betting line currently favors Duke by a slim margin, but this matchup could truly go either way. Both teams have the talent and experience to come out on top, so fans can expect an exciting showdown on the court.

Florida vs Auburn:

The Florida Gators have had a solid season, with key wins over top-ranked teams and a strong showing in the tournament thus far. Led by standout player Tyree Appleby, the Gators have proven themselves to be a tough team to beat.

On the other side, the Auburn Tigers have also had a successful season, with a talented roster that includes stars like Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler. Auburn’s high-powered offense and aggressive defense make them a formidable opponent for any team.

In terms of early Final Four picks, many experts are predicting a close matchup between Florida and Auburn. The betting line currently favors Auburn by a slight margin, but this game could go either way. Both teams have the skill and determination to come out on top, so fans can expect an intense battle on the court.

Overall, the Final Four matchups between Houston vs Duke and Florida vs Auburn are shaping up to be thrilling games that could go down to the wire. With talented rosters, strong coaching, and high stakes on the line, basketball fans can look forward to some exciting basketball action in the coming days.