Analysis of UConn vs South Carolina: Picks, Predictions, Best Bets & Odds

• The South Carolina Gamecocks will try to stop the freight train that is the UConn Huskies on Sunday in Tampa
• UConn demolished South Carolina on the road on Feb. 16 and is a heavy favorite to win Sunday’s national championship
• See the my UConn vs South Carolina picks and predictions plus the latest betting odds for April 6

Though they finished the regular season second and third in the AP Poll, it’s hard to find a pundit who doesn’t think the UConn Huskies (36-3) and South Carolina Gamecocks (35-3) are the top-two teams in women’s basketball this season. So it’s only fitting that UConn and South Carolina will meet in Sunday’s national championship game at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL, at 3:00 pm ET.

UConn vs South Carolina Picks & Prediction

• UConn -5.5 (-131) at DraftKings
• Sarah Strong 18+ points (+110) at DraftKings

As much as I believe in and respect Dawn Staley’s South Carolina program, I can’t get away from UConn in the championship game, even laying more than a handful of points. This team is an absolute truck that’s been blowing out all comers for the better part of three months.

One of UConn’s crowning achievements this season was ending SC’s 71-game home win streak back in mid-February. And they did so in style, blowing the doors off the Gamecocks with an 87-58 beatdown, spearheaded by a 28-point performance from senior guard Azzi Fudd (13.3 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.8 APG), who would be the #1 scoring option on 95% of teams in the nation but is the third-leading scorer on the Huskies.

UConn buried SC under a barrage of threes, going 13-of-28 from beyond the arc (43.7%) while holding South Carolina to just 17.6% from deep (3-of-17).

As good as UConn’s offense is – and it’s currently tied with Caitlyn Clark’s Iowa team for the best offensive rating (128.9) in the five-year history of barttorvik.com – it’s defense might be even more impressive. The Huskies also have the best D-Rating in the country at 70.0, a full point better than second-rated South Carolina (which is also a distant second in OI-Rating at 123.5).

It was the Huskies’ high-intensity, hyper-athletic defense that powered their Final Four rout of UCLA (85-51). UConn generated 13 steals and 19 total turnovers from the Bruins, including eight steals and 12 turnovers in the first half when the outcome was still in doubt.

South Carolina was impressive in its own right in the Final Four, distancing a very good Texas team (74-57) without a single player scoring more than 14 points, which is par for the course for this year’s edition of the Gamecocks: eight different players are averaging between 6.4 and 12.7 points per game.

That depth has proven enough to breeze past the vast majority of their opponents, but they’re just 2-3 against top-five teams in the Torvik ratings this season. In addition to the blowout loss to UConn, they were also routed by UCLA (77-62) on the road, and lost at Texas (66-62). Both top-five wins came against those same Longhorns.

UConn vs South Carolina Odds

Odds as of 9:30 am ET at Caesars. Claim the current Caesars Sportsbook promo code for a bonus on the national championship game.

The UConn vs South Carolina spread opened at UConn -6.5, were bet down to UConn -5.5, but is now back up to 6.5 on the morning of gameday. On the moneyline, the Huskies have shortened considerably; UConn was originally a -238 bet to win the title and is now staring at -320 odds, which carries a 70.41% implied win probability.

South Carolina comes back as a +250 underdog (28.57% implied win probability).

The game total has climbed from an opening number of 131.5 all the way to 133.5 with -115 odds on the over, indicating it could climb even higher before tip-off.

The highly anticipated matchup between the UConn Huskies and the South Carolina Gamecocks is set to take place, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, with UConn boasting a 20-1 record and South Carolina sitting at 17-3. This game is sure to be a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse programs.

When it comes to picking a winner in this matchup, it’s hard to ignore the dominance of the UConn women’s basketball team. Led by head coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies have consistently been one of the top teams in the country for years. With star players like Paige Bueckers leading the way, UConn has the talent and experience to come out on top in this game.

On the other hand, South Carolina has also been impressive this season, with wins over top-ranked teams like Maryland and Tennessee. Led by head coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have a strong defense and a balanced scoring attack that could pose a challenge for UConn. Players like Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke will be key for South Carolina in this matchup.

In terms of predictions, this game could go either way. UConn has the edge in terms of talent and experience, but South Carolina has shown that they can compete with the best teams in the country. It will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan and make key plays down the stretch.

As for best bets, it’s always a good idea to consider the odds before placing any bets. UConn may be the favorite in this matchup, but South Carolina has shown that they are capable of pulling off upsets. It could be worth considering betting on the Gamecocks if the odds are favorable.

Overall, this game is shaping up to be a must-watch for any basketball fan. With two top teams going head-to-head, there’s sure to be plenty of excitement and drama on the court. Whether you’re rooting for UConn or South Carolina, this game is sure to be a thrilling showdown between two of the best teams in women’s college basketball.