- The reigning national champs from UConn face last year’s runners-up from San Diego State in the 2024 Sweet 16
- UConn obliterated the Aztecs in last season’s title game
- See the opening San Diego State vs UConn odds for the 2024 NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16
On a mission to become the first back-to-back national champions since Florida in 2006 and 2007, the #1 UConn Huskies have been on another level in their first two games of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. After 39-point and 20-point wins over #16 Stetson and #8 Northwestern, the Huskies now matchup with the school they beat in the national championship game last season, #5 San Diego State, in the East Region Sweet 16.
The Aztecs and Huskies will meet at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday, March 28, and the opening San Diego State vs UConn odds heavily favor the Huskies.
San Diego State vs UConn Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| #5 San Diego State Aztecs | +10 (-110) | +360 | O 134 (-110) |
| #1 UConn Huskies | -10 (-110) | -470 | U 134 (-110) |
Connecticut has opened as a ten-point favorite and -470 on the moneyline. San Diego State is a +360 underdog to end UConn’s nine-game win streak.
UConn remains the favorite in the 2024 March Madness championship odds at +383.
Connecticut Dominates to Start Title Defense
Just like last year’s run through the NCAA Tournament, UConn has been on another level from its competition in the 2024 edition. It looked like men against boys during the Huskies’ 91-52 win over #16 Stetson, a game UConn led by an absurd score of 52-17 at halftime.
Its second-round matchup with Northwestern was much of the same; UConn led 40-18 at halftime and cruised to a 75-58 victory.
Seven-foot-two sophomore Donovan Clingan, who was expected to be in the mix for national player of the year in the preseason, has started to dominate. Clingan has combined for 33 points and 22 rebounds in the first two games of the tournament.
UConn currently sits first in overall efficiency at KenPom (second on offense and eighth on defense), and second to Houston at both Torvik and Haslametrics.
San Diego State Squeezes Past UAB, Blows Out Yale
The Aztecs flirted with elimination in round one against #12 UAB. The Blazers led 58-55 with just six minutes to go, but four quick points from Jaedon LeDee (21.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG) put San Diego State back in front for good in a 69-65 win. With 32 points on the day, LeDee accounted for nearly half of SDSU’s production while also leading the team with eight rebounds.
The Aztecs’ second-round matchup with the #13 Yale Bulldogs, who upset #4 Auburn in round one, was much more straightforward. San Diego State jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead and were ahead by 24 at halftime (45-21) before coasting to an 85-57 victory.
LeDee dominated once again, with 17 points and seven rebounds in just the first 20 minutes. The Third-Team All-American finished with 26 and nine in 30 minutes of action. The Aztecs absolutely murdered Yale on the glass, finishing +15 in rebounding (37 to 22).
Just like last year, defense has been the Aztecs’ strength this season. Brian Dutcher’s team is 11th in defensive efficiency, 62nd on offense, and 20th overall.
San Diego State was outclassed in last year’s title game against UConn. The Huskies led by 12 at halftime and the lead was never fewer than six in the second half. LeDee has seven points and four rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench. Starters Lamont Butler and Darrion Trammell also return from last year’s second-place squad.
The winner of San Diego State vs UConn will face the winner of #3 Illinois vs #2 Iowa State in the Elite Eight on Saturday, March 30.
In the highly anticipated Sweet 16 matchup between San Diego State and UConn, both teams are looking to advance to the Elite Eight and keep their championship hopes alive. The opening spread and total odds for this game have been released, giving bettors and fans an early look at what to expect.
San Diego State, coming off a dominant performance in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, is favored in this matchup. The Aztecs have been led by their strong defense and balanced scoring attack, making them a tough team to beat. They are currently listed as a 3-point favorite in the opening spread, indicating that oddsmakers believe they have a slight edge over UConn.
On the other side, UConn has been playing some of their best basketball of the season in the tournament. Led by star guard James Bouknight, the Huskies have shown they can compete with anyone in the country. Despite being the underdog in this matchup, UConn is a dangerous team that should not be overlooked. The total odds for this game are set at 135 points, suggesting that it could be a high-scoring affair between two talented offensive teams.
As with any sports betting opportunity, it’s important to do your research and consider all factors before placing a wager. In this case, both teams have strengths and weaknesses that could impact the outcome of the game. San Diego State’s defense and depth could give them the edge, but UConn’s star power and momentum could help them pull off the upset.
Overall, this Sweet 16 matchup between San Diego State and UConn is shaping up to be a thrilling game with plenty of excitement and drama. Whether you’re a fan of either team or just looking to place a bet, be sure to tune in and see how it all unfolds on game day.
