UCONN vs. Stetson: 2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks
Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let’s take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament game: UCONN vs. Stetson. And make sure to check out our 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Optimizer to take down your pools!
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2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks: UCONN vs. Stetson
UCONN 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview
UConn hopes to be the first team since the 2006 and 2007 Florida Gators to win consecutive NCAA Tournament titles. Considering how this team has played, it’s well within reason to see that happening—five players average double figures in the scoring department. Anyone can take over any night, which is a big reason for their top-five ranked adjusted KenPom offense. Tristen Newton has been a delight to watch this year, leading the team in points, rebounds and assists. The do-it-all guard can carry UConn deep into the tournament if needed, has great vision, and can score from anywhere on the court. Cam Spencer is a deadly sharp-shooter who takes care of the ball and is one of the most efficient players in all of basketball, ranking in the top 10 in offensive rating.
When Donovan Clingan is on the floor, it’s quite difficult to stop the 7-2 sophomore, who will be a problem for opposing frontcourts as one of the best defenders in the nation. Last year, the Huskies ran the table in the tournament. Expectations have to be the same again this year. While they may not be as battle-tested with a sub-250th ranked non-conference strength of schedule, they took care of business in their neutral games this year, taking down Indiana, Texas, UNC, and Gonzaga. However, this team is not indestructible. Their losses highlight that their interior offense can be stopped, shooting a mere 43% from inside the arc when they dropped to Kansas in December. The Huskies slow down the pace and are sometimes susceptible in transition; they have suffered double-digit losses while struggling to make perimeter shots in those games. Despite what you might think, they are capable of losing.
The problem is that if UConn makes it to the second weekend, you might as well hand them the championship. EvanMiya notes that UConn is one of the best teams facing tougher opponents while struggling to dismantle the lower-ranked teams. Iona was arguably the biggest competitor to UConn in the tournament last year, giving them a run for their money. The Huskies had a chance to get complacent in their first couple of rounds and suffered a big upset. Still, we’re grasping at straws here. Dan Hurley’s squad is ranked as the best roster in the league. They are an all-around squad that would need a lot of things to go wrong for their tournament hopes to be dashed in the first weekend. This team is going to be fun to watch in March.
Stetson 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview
Coming out of the ASun, Stetson was one fun team to watch in their conference tournament. Winning each of their final tournament games by a combined four points, the Hatters appear to be the definition of clutch en route to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Down 10 with under 5:00 minutes remaining in their semi-final against Jacksonville, Stephan Swenson put the team on his back, making seven of nine from deep.
At the same time, Tristan Gross contributed four makes from beyond the arc himself. In the conference final, Jalen Blackmon stepped up with 43 points to lead Stetson to an auto-bid. He is a truly elite scorer who can post 30-plus points any night. Anyone can step up and take over for this team. Four players scored double-digits in the quarterfinal against Queens, with Aubin Gateretse tallying 20 points on nine shots. This team is dangerous and the definition of volatile. Ranking in the top five in the luck metric this year, the Hatters seemed to manufacture their luck more than anything. That’s because their defense is awful.
Ranking outside the top 340 in defensive efficiency, Stetson will need their opponents to have an off-shooting night if they plan on winning games in the tournament. Their offense is sustainable if the ball bounces their way, as shown by their win at UCF earlier this season with 40 points in the final 10 minutes. Stetson also lost to Chicago State twice. While Stetson knows how to win, their defense might be the chain that holds them down too much to pull off a shocking first-round upset.
2024 NCAA Tournament Predictions: UCONN vs. Stetson
Connecticut is the reigning national champion, but they’ve made a strong case during the regular season that they’re even better this year. They captured a top seed in this tournament and will take on the Stetson Hatters of the A-Sun. UConn will have their way all game on the offensive end. There are 362 teams in Division 1 basketball and Stetson ranked 342nd in adjusted defensive efficiency in KenPom. The only thing they do well on defense is not foul, but that’s fine because UConn doesn’t typically spend much time at the free-throw line. The Huskies can get their points the old-fashioned way: By getting buckets.
However, if you look at the other side of the ball, Stetson can do some things to put up points on UConn. Although they don’t totally match up to UConn’s size, they have some size of their own down low. The Hatters make their bed at the three-point line. They take an above-average amount of 3PA, and they make them at a 36.5% clip, which is in the top 40 in the nation. Stetson can’t do enough on defense to keep up with UConn for 40 minutes, but their firepower on offense should keep this game interesting for a half and send it over the total.
2024 NCAA Tournament Picks: UCONN vs. Stetson
Bet: Over 144 (-110 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
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2024 NCAA Tournament Sports Betting Picks
Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let’s take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament
EAST REGION
- UCONN v Stetson (1v16)
- Iowa St. v South Dakota St. (2v15)
- Illinois v Morehead St. (3v14)
- Auburn v Yale (4v13)
- San Diego St. v UAB (5v12)
- BYU v Duquesne (6v11)
- Washington St. v Drake (7v10)
- Florida Atlantic v Northwestern (8v9)
MIDWEST REGION
- Montana St/Grambling St PLAY IN
- Virginia/Colorado St. PLAY IN
- Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s (2v15)
- Creighton vs. Akron (3v14)
- Kansas vs. Samford (4v13)
- Gonzaga vs. McNeese (5v12)
- South Carolina vs. Oregon (6v11)
- Utah St. vs. TCU (8v9)
SOUTH REGION
- Boise St./Colorado PLAY IN
- Houston vs. Longwood (1v16)
- Marquette vs. Western Kentucky (2v15)
- Kentucky vs. Oakland (3v14)
- Duke vs. Vermont (4v13)
- Wisconsin vs. James Madison (5v12)
- Texas Tech vs. NC State (6v11)
- Nebraska vs. Texas A&M (8v9)
WEST REGION
- Howard/Wagner PLAY IN
- Arizona vs. Long Beach St. (2v15)
- Baylor vs. Colgate (3v14)
- Alabama vs. Charleston (4v13)
- Saint Mary’s vs. Grand Canyon (5v12)
- Clemson vs. New Mexico (6v11)
- Dayton vs. Nevada (7v10)
- Mississippi St. vs. Michigan St. (8v9)
2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Pool Strategy & Picks
Below we provide strategy, advice, and picks to create the optimal NCAA Tournament bracket. And be sure to use our FREE bracket optimizer to build a winning men’s NCAA tournament bracket and take down your contest!