Purdue Boilermakers vs. UConn Huskies Player Prop Bets — April 8, 2024

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS VS. UCONN HUSKIES PLAYER PROP BETS — APRIL 8, 2024 — Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NCAA tournament coverage here at Godzilla Wins. Tonight’s title game features the Purdue Boilermakers taking on the defending champion UConn Huskies.

The Boilermakers are seeking redemption after bowing out in the first round as a No. 1 seed in last year’s tournament. Meanwhile, the Huskies are looking to cement their place as one of the dominant back-to-back champions in the collegiate ranks.

Both teams are mirror images of each other. During the regular season, Purdue averaged 82.9 PPG while allowing 68.8. UConn averaged 81.6 PPG while giving up just 63.5 points per contest.

During the tournament, Purdue has averaged 79.8 points per outing while surrendering 60.2 PPG. The defending champs are putting up 82.2 PPG but allowing just  57.2 points per contest.

Purdue has four players averaging double figures, while UConn has five. Which players from either side have the best odds of putting up a big-time performance in a game for all of the marbles?

Here’s a look at my player prop bets for what should be a title game for the ages.

 

Tipoff

When: Monday, April 8, 2024

Time: 9:20 PM ET

Where: State Farm Stadium

Location: Glendale, AZ

TV: TBS

 

Purdue Boilermakers vs. UConn Huskies Player Prop Picks

The Boilermakers’ big man Zach Edey has averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds during the tournament. Additionally, he is the first player in NCAA history to post at least 20 points and 10 boards in six consecutive tournament games.

Given those stats, Edey is the key player to watch for Purdue. He currently has +114 odds of scoring more than 24.5 points and -145 odds of finishing with less than 24.5 points.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Here is a look at how his numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup.

• During the season, Edey is averaging a career-best 24.9 points per game across 38 outings.
• In 21 home contests, he has averaged 23.2 points per game.
• In 12 road contests, Edey is averaging 26.5 points per contest.
• Over his last 10 outings, he has averaged 28.5 points per outing.
• During his five tournament games, Edey is averaging 28 PPG and 15.4 RPG on 65.4 percent shooting from the field, exceeding the points total for this matchup all five times during that stretch.

Prediction: Zach Edey OVER 24.5 points

On the other side of the narrative, in a matchup in which a pair of big men will take center stage, the key player to watch for the defending champion UConn Huskies is Donovan Clingan. He currently has -110 odds of scoring more than 13.5 points and -120 odds of finishing with less than 13.5 points.

Will his season numbers favorably compare to the estimated points total for this matchup? Let’s look at the tale of the tape to find out.

• During the season, Clingan averaged 13.1 points per game across 34 outings, nearly doubling his 6.9 PPG average from his freshman campaign.
• In 17 home contests, he has averaged 14.6 points per game.
• In 12 road contests, Clingan is averaging 9.5 points per contest.
• Over his last 10 outings, he has averaged 14.2 points per outing.
• During his five tournament games, Clingan is averaging 16.2 PPG and 9.0 RPG on 64.8 percent shooting from the field, exceeding the points total for this matchup four times during that stretch.

Prediction: Donovan Clingan OVER 13.5 points

James Tillman’s Boilermakers vs. Huskies Player Prop Bets

Player Prop Bet #1: Zach Edey OVER 24.5 points Player Prop Bet #2: Donovan Clingan OVER 13.5 points