Expert Predictions and Odds for Final Four Games on April 5th

• Cougars’ lockdown defense makes them a live dog against Duke
• Alamodome setting creates ideal spot for Auburn-Florida Under
• Check out expert Final Four picks for the two massive games tonight

The Final Four tips at the Alamodome Saturday night with a pair of heavyweight tilts that will decide who plays for all the marbles on Monday. SEC rivals Auburn and Florida battle for conference supremacy in the opener, followed by the tourney’s top seed Duke facing defensive juggernaut Houston in the nightcap.

After breaking down the numbers, line movement, and betting action, I’ve landed on two solid plays with value for Saturday’s Final Four showdowns.

Final Four Odds (April 5)

Final Four odds as of 4pm ET on April 5 at top-rated March Madness betting apps.

The Final four odds tonight are fairly tight, with no team favored by more than 5.5 points. Duke is the heavier of the two favorites, but as you will see in my predictions below, there’s reason to believe the veteran Cougars can make this a barn-burner.

Auburn vs Florida Total Prediction

I’m hammering the Under 159.5 in this all-SEC clash. This number has dropped from 162 despite heavy public action on the Over – a classic reverse line move that screams sharp money. The SEC’s top two programs can certainly fill it up, but several factors point to a grinder in San Antonio.

Bruce Pearl’s Tigers have morphed into a defensive monster during March Madness, giving up just 65.5 PPG while holding opponents to a brutal 38.1% from the floor. They’ve cashed the Under in five of their last six games, with those contests averaging only 138.2 total points – over 20 points south of Saturday’s number.

Auburn’s offense has cooled considerably, too, hitting just 43% overall and a miserable 30% from distance in tournament play. As long as they don’t suddenly find the switch, this game should stay comfortably under the number.

The Alamodome factor is massive here. The cavernous football stadium creates notorious shooting issues for players unaccustomed to the sightlines. Both squads rank top-10 nationally in defensive efficiency and opponent three-point percentage.

Add in their brutal free throw woes (both under 70% at the stripe in March), and you’ve got the perfect storm for an Under. Pearl and Golden will keep their defensive intensity cranked to 11 with a title game berth on the line.

Houston vs Duke Prediction

I’m grabbing the 5.5 points with Houston in what should be a slugfest. Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars own the nation’s #1 defense, allowing a measly 56.5 PPG in the tournament. Their glacial pace (360th slowest nationally) shrinks possessions and maximizes each point on the spread.

The situational edge heavily favors Houston here. They’re playing just three hours from campus in what’ll essentially be a home game in San Antonio. This is huge – seven of the last eight Final Four teams playing in their home state have won outright.

The Cougars’ veteran core (all 22-23 years old) gives them a massive experience edge over Duke’s freshman-heavy lineup. When the pressure cranks up in the Alamodome, that veteran presence becomes gold.

Houston has thrived as underdogs, going 6-1 ATS in their last seven catching points. Their top-5 ball security (fewest turnovers nationally) and elite three-point shooting (39.7%) give them the perfect formula to hang with Duke for 40 minutes.

The betting market has this line inflated with 81% of moneyline tickets backing the Blue Devils. Even KenPom projects a nail-biter (Duke 68, Houston 66), suggesting this game comes down to the final possession. Back the Cougars and the points in what should be Saturday’s best game.

As the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament reaches its climax, basketball fans and sports bettors alike are eagerly awaiting the Final Four games on April 5th. With only four teams left standing, the competition is fierce and the stakes are high. Expert predictions and odds are being closely watched as fans try to predict which teams will advance to the championship game.

In the first matchup, the Gonzaga Bulldogs will take on the UCLA Bruins. Gonzaga, the number one overall seed in the tournament, has been dominant throughout the season and is favored to win this game. Led by star player Jalen Suggs, the Bulldogs have a high-powered offense and a stifling defense that has proven to be too much for most opponents. UCLA, on the other hand, has been a surprise team in this tournament, knocking off several higher-seeded teams to reach the Final Four. The Bruins will need a strong performance from their leading scorer Johnny Juzang if they hope to pull off the upset.

In the second matchup, the Baylor Bears will face off against the Houston Cougars. Baylor, another top seed in the tournament, has been playing at a high level all season and is favored to win this game as well. Led by guards Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell, the Bears have a balanced scoring attack and a tenacious defense that has proven to be a tough matchup for any team. Houston, on the other hand, has relied on their defense and rebounding to make it this far in the tournament. The Cougars will need big performances from Quentin Grimes and Marcus Sasser if they hope to advance to the championship game.

According to experts and oddsmakers, Gonzaga is favored to win it all and complete an undefeated season. However, Baylor and Houston are both formidable opponents who have shown they can compete with anyone. UCLA is the underdog in this scenario, but they have already proven they can pull off upsets in this tournament.

As basketball fans gear up for the Final Four games on April 5th, excitement is building and anticipation is high. With expert predictions and odds pointing to some thrilling matchups, fans can expect to see some intense and competitive basketball as these four teams battle it out for a spot in the championship game.