BET99’s Men’s NCAA Last Four Preview

Everything You Need To Know Before Placing Your Bets

The anticipation is palpable as the stage is set for the Men’s Last Four in Phoenix. This preview, brought to you by BET99, Canada’s favourite Sportsbook & Online Casino, will provide you with all the betting information you need to know about the upcoming games. Join millions of Canadians and see why BET99 is rated #1 in Gaming Experience.

The first game will see No. 1 Purdue (-380) take on No. 11 NC State (+305) at 6:09 p.m., followed by No. 1 UConn (-700) facing off against No. 4 Alabama (+525) at 8:49 p.m., on Saturday April 6. (*Odds as of April 3, 2024*)

UConn and Purdue, boasting the No. 1 and No. 3 overall seeds respectively, will grace the court in State Farm Arena, the iconic home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. They emerge as the betting favourites to clash in the title game, standing against relatively unlikely underdog challengers in No. 4 seeded Alabama and No. 11 NC State.

The betting favourite UConn Huskies aim to etch their names in history books with back-to-back national titles, a feat achieved only twice in the last 50 years. However, standing in their path is Alabama, eager to make a historic Last Four debut by dethroning the reigning national champions.

On the other side of the bracket, Matt Painter’s Purdue Boilermakers seeks redemption after last year’s early exit, fueled by the brilliance of Canadian 7’4 big man Zach Edey, a likely two-time National Player of the Year. Yet, NC State, led by D.J. Burns, embodies the Cinderella story that has captivated the hearts of basketball fans worldwide, vying for their program’s third NCAA Tournament title and first Last Four appearance since 1983.

(1) Purdue Boilermakers (33-4): Quest For Redemption (-380)

First up, we have the formidable Purdue Boilermakers, led by the seasoned tactician, Coach Matt Painter. With their eyes set on redemption after last year’s early exit, Purdue enters the arena as a force to be reckoned with. Sporting an impressive KenPom ranking of No. 3 (No. 2 offense, No. 16 defense), boasting a lethal combination of offense and defense, the Boilermakers have left a trail of defeated talent in their wake on their journey to Phoenix.

Road To Phoenix:

Purdue’s path to the Last Four has been nothing short of spectacular. From their commanding victory at the November Maui Invitational to their triumph in the Big 10 regular season, the Boilermakers have showcased their dominance at every turn. Despite a setback in the Big 10 Tournament, they rallied back with an impressive string of wins, culminating in a hard-fought battle against Tennessee in the Elite Eight. Their journey to their third Last Four, and first since 1980, included impressive victories over No. 16 Grambling State (78-50), No. 8 Utah State (106-67), No. 5 Gonzaga (80-68) and No. 2 Tennessee (72-66).

BET99’s Prop Bet Favourites - Players To Watch:

Leading the charge for Purdue is the towering presence of Canadian sensation Zach Edey. Standing at 7-foot-4, Edey has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, dominating the paint with his unmatched prowess. Edey, averaging 30 points and 16.3 rebounds in the tournament, is complemented by 3-point shooters in guards Braden Smith (12.2 points, 7.5 assists, 43.9% from 3) and Fletcher Loyer (10.6 points, 44.1% from 3), as well as forward Mason Gillis (6.6 points, 47.5% from 3).

(11) NC State Wolfpack (26-14): The Cinderella Story (+305)

Next, we have the resilient NC State Wolfpack, defying the odds and capturing hearts with their Cinderella journey to the Last Four. Under the guidance of Coach Kevin Keatts, NC State has emerged as a true underdog story, overcoming adversity to stand tall among giants. With a KenPom ranking of No. 43, the Wolfpack may be the dark horse underdog of the tournament, but in BET99’s eyes, they’re not to be underestimated.

Road To Phoenix:

NC State’s path to the Last Four has been nothing short of miraculous. From their stunning upset victories in the ACC Tournament to their gritty performances in the NCAA Tournament, the Wolfpack has showcased their tenacity and resilience every step of the way impressing the oddsmakers at BET99. With each win, they’ve silenced the doubters and proved that they belong among the elite. Their journey to their first Last Four appearance since 1983 included victories over No. 6 Texas Tech (80-67) and surviving No. 14 Oakland (79-73) in overtime before taking down No. 2 Marquette (67-58) and fourth-seeded in-state rival Duke (76-64) in the Elite Eight.

BET99’s Prop Bet Favourites - Players To Watch:

At the heart of NC State’s success is the unstoppable duo of D.J. Burns and D.J. Horne. Burns, a 6-foot-9, 275-pound graduate student, has been a joy to watch in March, averaging 22.4 points and 5.8 rebounds over his last five games. He had a 29-point Elite Eight performance. Burns, however, isn’t the only D.J. on NC State’s roster to watch out for. Fifth-year guard D.J. Horne, a 40.9% 3-point shooter, led the Wolfpack in scoring during the season and has averaged 16.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in the tournament.

(1) UConn Huskies (35-3): A Legacy Reborn (-700)

The storied UConn Huskies, with a school record of 35-3 this season, are seeking to cement their legacy with yet another championship run and live up to their status as the tournament’s betting favourite. As the defending NCAA champions, they aim to etch their names in history books with back-to-back national titles, a feat achieved only twice in the last 50 years. However, standing in their path is Alabama, eager to make a historic Last Four debut by dethroning the reigning national champions.

With a KenPom ranking of No. 1 (No. 1 offense, No. 4 defense), the Huskies are a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor. At the centre of UConn’s resurgence is the towering presence of Donovan Clingan. Standing at 7-foot-2, Clingan has emerged as a dominant force in the paint, anchoring the Huskies’ defense with his shot-blocking prowess. Supported by All-American point guard Tristen Newton and a talented supporting cast, UConn is primed to make history once again.

Road To Phoenix:

UConn’s journey to the Last Four has been nothing short of spectacular. Despite facing adversity and skepticism following the departure of key players after last years championship run, the Huskies have risen to the occasion, stringing together an impressive series of victories. With their relentless defense and balanced offense, they’ve steamrolled their way through the tournament, leaving no doubt about their championship aspirations. In this tournament alone, they’ve made history by beating No. 16 Stetson (91-52), No. 9 Northwestern (75-58), No. 5 San Diego State (82-52) and No. 3 Illinois (77-52), becoming the first team to appear in back-to-back Last Fours since Florida won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.

BET99’s Prop Bet Favourites - Players To Watch:

At the centre of UConn’s success is the towering presence of Donovan Clingan. Standing at 7-foot-2, Clingan has emerged as a dominant force in the paint, anchoring the Huskies’ defense with his shot-blocking prowess. Clingan was named Most Outstanding Player in the East Region after his 22 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and three steals in the Elite Eight. Directed by All-American point guard Tristen Newton, UConn has five starters averaging double figures, all grabbing at least 4.7 rebounds per game.

(4) Alabama Crimson Tide (25-11): A Surging Force (+525)

Last but not least, we have the electrifying Alabama Crimson Tide, poised to make a splash in their Last Four debut. With a school record of 25-11 this season, under the guidance of Coach Nate Oats, Alabama has emerged as a formidable contender, boasting a high-powered offense capable of overwhelming any opponent. With a KenPom ranking of No. 12, the Crimson Tide are ready to make their mark on the biggest stage.

Road To Phoenix:

Alabama’s journey to the Last Four has been marked by ups and downs, but their resilience has never wavered. Despite facing adversity and setbacks throughout the season, the Crimson Tide have rallied together when it matters most, showcasing their offensive firepower and never-say-die attitude. With each victory, they’ve proven that they belong among the nation’s elite. Their journey to their first Last Four included outscoring No. 13 Charleston 109-96 to avoid a first-round exit and handling No. 12 Grand Canyon (72-61) before holding off No. 1 North Carolina (89-87) and No. 6 Clemson (89-82) in the Elite Eight.

BET99’s Prop Bet Favourites - Players To Watch:

Leading the charge for Alabama is senior point guard Mark Sears, whose scoring prowess and leadership have been instrumental to the team’s success. Sears has been one of the best players in the nation, averaging 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 43.4% on nearly six 3-pointers per game on the season. He’s logged 37 minutes per game throughout the tournament while upping his scoring to 24.3 points and shooting 44.7% on 9.5 3-pointers per game. Supported by Grant Nelson, a 6-11 forward who scored 24 points with 12 rebounds and five blocks against North Carolina, the Crimson Tide boast a well-rounded lineup capable of lighting up the scoreboard in a hurry.

As the anticipation reaches its peak and the stage is set for the ultimate showdown, one thing is clear: the Men’s Last Four promises to be a spectacle like no other. So, grab your popcorn, place your bets, settle in, and get ready to witness history in the making. This is what March is all about, and BET99 is your home for all the action. Join millions of Canadians and experience the thrill of the Last Four with BET99, Canada’s favourite Sportsbook & Online Casino. See you on the hardwood!