Final Four Odds: UConn and NC State's Men's and Women's Teams Are Looking to Make History

The Final Four odds are set on both the men's and women's March Madness bracket and while it may not be the teams we expected, there is history on the line for two particular programs. 

Both UConn and NC State are well represented in the March Madness odds on both sides have programs competing this weekend for a chance to book their ticket to the National Championship game. 

Sportsbooks have released college basketball odds surrounding the chase of a historic 'double championship,' so join me as I set the scene and make a case for both programs. 

Final Four Odds: UConn and NC State Chasing History

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook on April 3

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Setting the scene

When the women's Final Four matchups tip off on Friday night, it'll be the 14th time in the history of the NCAA that one school has two basketball programs competing in the Final Four. 

Both NC State and UConn accomplished the feat this past weekend as the Wolfpack upended Duke and Texas respectively, while the Huskies got the better of Illinois and USC. 

To take that feat a step further, there have been two instances where one school has captured both titles at the same time, and weirdly enough, UConn was the team to do so in 2004 and 2014. 

Is this the year we get the third 'double championship?'

Final Four prediction: Can the Huskies or Wolfpack make history?

The case for NC State

Considering how large the odds are, one would believe that NC State has no shot at pulling off the historic double. They are going against arguably the best two teams left in the tournament, South Carolina (women's) and Purdue (men's). 

While the lady Wolfpack had a tremendous season by their own standards, they needed to pull off the upset against No. 1 Texas in the Elite Eight. That proved to everyone they can in fact take down anyone on any given day, but their next opponent is vying for an undefeated season, and damn well might get it. 

South Carolina is far and away the best women's team right now, and it'll take something special to beat them. 

On the men's side, if they don't hit a game-tying three-point shot against Virginia in the ACC semifinals, which propelled them to an OT victory (thus allowing them to beat UNC and secure a spot), we are not talking about this possibility. 

Getting hot at the right time is part of what makes March Madness so chaotic, but navigating the waters of Purdue — and likely UConn in the National Championship game — is a big ask. 

For that reason, I'm out on NC State pulling off the double. 

The case for UConn

For much of the season, UConn has been the team to beat on the men's side. This is a team that ran over everyone in their path, including in the tournament, with an average margin of victory of  27 points. 

They enter their Final Four matchup vs. Alabama as -11.5 point favorites, and -750 favorites on the moneyline which gives them an implied probability of 88.24% to make the finals. From there, they are likely to be favorites over Purdue/NC State, and if we look at the futures market right now, they are trading at -190 which implies a 65.5% chance of them defending their title. 

On the women's side, that's where it gets a little tricky. 

Yes, they have a very good squad led by Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards, but they, like NC State, have to take down two buzzsaws to reach the pinnacle. 

Going through Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Final Four is a winnable game, but one they enter as slight underdogs. 

Should they win, and face South Carolina in the finals, that will likely be where the magical run comes to an end. 

Given the odds of 11/1, I'd be willing to lay some pizza money on it. 

My best bet: UConn Men and Women to Win National Championship (+1,130 at FanDuel)

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