Title Game Betting Info

Villanova vs North Carolina

9:19 PM ET, Monday, April 4, 2016
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas



Villanova is fresh off the biggest blowout in Final Four history and aims to carry the momentum into Monday's national championship contest when it faces top-seeded North Carolina at Houston's NRG Stadium. The second-seeded Wildcats rolled to a 95-51 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday and attempt to etch their names alongside the school's famous 1985 title-winning squad that upset Georgetown in the NCAA championship game.


The Tar Heels have posted five straight double-digit victories in the tournament and are vying for the sixth national championship in school history. "We got to go out there and play our game," senior forward Brice Johnson said after Saturday's 83-66 victory over Syracuse. "Those guys are a very good team. They're really hot right now. They held one of the best players in the country (Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield, nine points) to little or nothing." Villanova's stunning 44-point victory boosted its margin of victory in the tourney to 24.2 points and Wildcats coach Jay Wright understands the history in play. "Those guys are really icons on our campus, they really are," Wright said of the 1985 team led by post players Ed Pinckney and Howard Pressley. "That whole team brings that magical underdog feeling, like anything's possible."


VILLANOVA (34-5)
Junior guard Josh Hart was superb against Oklahoma by scoring 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting to fuel the Wildcats' torrid 71.4 percent shooting mark. Hart averages a team-high 15.5 points while teaming with two other stellar outside shooters in junior forward Kris Jenkins (13.6 average, team-high 98 3-pointers) and senior guard Ryan Arcidiacono (12.4 average, 74 3-pointers). Villanova is thin in the frontcourt compared to the Tar Heels and could use a strong performance from senior center Daniel Ochefu, who averages 10.1 points and leads the squad in rebounding (7.6) and blocked shots (55).


NORTH CAROLINA (33-6)
Johnson is the Tar Heels' top player with averages of 17 points and 10.5 rebounds and three other players average more than 12 points per game. Senior point guard Marcus Paige (12.3) has excelled from long range during the tournament by going 16-of-34 from 3-point range and he holds the school mark of 295 career 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Joel Berry II averages 12.6 points and sophomore forward Justin Jackson averages 12.3 while junior center Kennedy Meeks (9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds) has played well of late by making 16-of-22 shots over the past three contests.



North Carolina holds an 11-4 series edge and is 5-1 against Villanova in the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats are shooting 49 percent from 3-point range during the tournament.

The Tar Heels are 25-1 when scoring 80 or more points.

Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Wildcats are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Wildcats are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Wildcats are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Wildcats are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
Wildcats are 35-14-2 ATS in their last 51 non-conference games.
Wildcats are 40-18-1 ATS in their last 59 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Wildcats are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Wildcats are 35-17-1 ATS in their last 53 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Wildcats are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 Monday games.
Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. Atlantic Coast.

Tar Heels are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
Tar Heels are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 NCAA Tournament games.
Tar Heels are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Tar Heels are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Tar Heels are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Tar Heels are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Tar Heels are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 neutral site games.
Tar Heels are 2-6-2 ATS in their last 10 Monday games.

Over is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 vs. Atlantic Coast.
Over is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games following a ATS win.
Over is 10-2 in Wildcats last 12 games following a straight up win.
Over is 11-3 in Wildcats last 14 overall.
Under is 9-3-1 in Wildcats last 13 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Wildcats last 8 Monday games.
Over is 8-3 in Wildcats last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 5-2 in Wildcats last 7 non-conference games.
Over is 5-2-1 in Wildcats last 8 NCAA Tournament games.

Over is 4-0 in Tar Heels last 4 games following a ATS win.
Over is 7-1 in Tar Heels last 8 non-conference games.
Over is 6-1 in Tar Heels last 7 NCAA Tournament games.
Over is 4-1 in Tar Heels last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Tar Heels last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1 in Tar Heels last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-1 in Tar Heels last 5 neutral site games.

StatFox Super Situations


CBB | VILLANOVA at N CAROLINA
Play Against - Any team (VILLANOVA) excellent shooting team (>=47.5%) against an good defensive team (40-42.5%) after 15+ games, after a game where a team made 50% of their 3 point shots or better
104-59 over the last 5 seasons. ( 63.8% | 39.1 units )
18-13 this year. ( 58.1% | 3.7 units )


CBB | VILLANOVA at N CAROLINA
Play On - Neutral Court underdogs vs. the money line (VILLANOVA) good offensive team - scoring 77+ points/game on the season, after allowing 55 points or less
72-88 since 1997. ( 45.0% | 42.5 units )
6-8 this year. ( 42.9% | 0.1 units )


CBB | VILLANOVA at N CAROLINA
Play Under - Neutral court teams where the first half total is 70.5 to 75.5 very good shooting team - shooting >=48% on the season
92-47 over the last 5 seasons. ( 66.2% | 40.3 units )
36-22 this year. ( 62.1% | 11.8 units )

Villanova vs. North Carolina
By Brian Edwards


Villanova and North Carolina cruised to easy victories Saturday in perhaps the most boring set of national-semifinal games in the NCAA Tournament’s storied history. Not boring because of ‘Nova or UNC, however, just uneventful in the way they coasted to blowout wins over Oklahoma and Syracuse, respectively.


Jay Wright’s team went five years without playing beyond the first weekend of the Tournament, but it will play for the national title Monday night for the first time since Rollie Massimino’s team led by Ed Pinckney shocked Patrick Ewing and Georgetown in the 1985 finals at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.


Roy Williams is seeking to join an elite group of head coaches who have three or more national titles to their credit. That group includes John Wooden, Adolph Rupp, Bobby Knight, Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Calhoun.


This is Williams’s fifth trip to the Monday night game in his career. He took Kansas to the finals twice, losing both times to Duke (’91) and Syracuse (’03). He has gone 2-0 in the finals with UNC since leaving Lawrence for Chapel Hill.


This is UNC’s 10th trip to the finals in the program’s illustrious history. Williams has the second-best career NCAA Tournament record among active coaches, going 70-23 (75.3%). Wright is 19-12 in the Tournament (61.3%).


The Westgate SuperBook opened North Carolina (33-6 straight up, 20-18-1 against the spread) as a two-point favorite with a total of 151.5 points late last night in Las Vegas. In less than an hour, Jay Kornegay and Co. moved the Tar Heels to 2.5.


As of mid-afternoon Sunday, UNC was a 2.5-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 150. UNC is -150 on the money line, leaving ‘Nova at +130 to win outright (risk $100 to win $130).


Villanova (34-5 SU, 20-17-1 ATS) captured a 95-51 win over Oklahoma as a 2.5-point favorite in the biggest blowout in Final Four history. The Wildcats led by 14 at intermission and the Sooners quickly trimmed the deficit to nine on a Jordan Woodard putback of his own missed free throw.


Lon Kruger’s bunch would get no closer, though. The Wildcats stretched the lead to 21 with 11:19 remaining on a 3-pointer by Phil Booth. They led by 33 at the under-8 TV timeout and it was over.


Josh Hart had a game for the ages, scoring 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting in 30 minutes of playing time. The junior guard also had eight rebounds, two steals and four assists without a turnover. Kris Jenkins was sensational as well, producing 18 points, eight boards, two steals and one blocked shot.


Ryan Arcidiacono, the senior point guard and lifeblood of Wright’s program for the last four seasons, finished with 15 points on just six shots from the field. Arcidiacono drained 3-of-4 launches from downtown and had three rebounds and three assists.


Mikal Bridges (11), Booth (10) and Daniel Ochefu (10) were also in double figures. Ocheful had six rebounds, three assists, one steal, one rejection and didn’t commit a turnover.


How ‘on’ was Villanova? Well, it made 35-of-49 shots from the field at a torrid 71.4 percent clip. Depth perception at NRG Stadium in Houston was not an issue whatsoever. The Wildcats hit 11-of-18 shots from beyond the arc (61.1%).


On the flip side, OU made just 6-of-27 (22.2%) from 3-point land. The Sooners entered the game with the nation’s second-best three-point shooting percentage (42.1%).


Villanova’s stifling defense limited Buddy Hield, a first-team All-American, to his second-lowest scoring output of the season with only nine points.


Hield buried his first 3-point attempt, but he missed his next eight. He went 4-of-12 from the field, while Isaiah Cousins (3-of-14 FGs) and Woodard (3-of-10) were equally inept.


“Just credit them for what they were doing. Made it tough on me throwing multiple bodies at me,” Hield said at the postgame presser. Hield said the Wildcats were “one of the best teams I’ve ever played in college.”


Wright’s bunch has won four of its Tournament games by margins of 19 points or more. The Wildcats have covered the number in all five Tournament games, including their only close one in the 65-60 win over No. 1 overall seed Kansas in the Elite Eight. They have won their five games by an average margin of 23.6 points.


Meanwhile, UNC has won its five games by an average margin of 16.2 points. The Tar Heels have covered in four straight and won each game by a minimum of 14 points. The lone non-cover came in the opening round when they knocked off Fla. Gulf Coast by an 83-67 count as 22.5-point favorites.


North Carolina defeated Syracuse for a third time this year on Saturday, winning 83-66 as a 10-point favorite. The 149 combined points slipped ‘over’ the 142.5-point total.


Brice Johnson and Justin Jackson scored 16 points apiece for the winners. Johnson pulled down nine rebounds. Kennedy Meeks finished with 15 points, eight boards, two steals and two blocked shots, while Marcus Paige was also in double figures with 13 points. Joel Berry II had eight points and 10 assists compared to merely one turnover.


North Carolina has won 10 in a row while going 8-2 ATS. The Tar Heels made it to Houston by beating up on Providence (85-66), Indiana (101-86) and Notre Dame (88-74) after getting past Fla. Gulf Coast.


Johnson has been the catalyst, averaging 20.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. His overall averages for the year are 17.0 points and 10.5 RPG.


Villanova has been an underdog only twice this year, losing 86-75 at Virginia on Dec. 19 as a 5.5-point puppy. The other ‘dog spot came in the win over KU last weekend when it was catching two points from the Jayhawks.


UNC has thrived as a single-digit ‘chalk’ this season, compiling a 13-4 spread record, including eight consecutive covers in such situations.


These schools have met in the NCAA Tournament three times in the last 11 years. UNC has prevailed on each occasion. The Tar Heels won a 78-71 decision as a five-point favorite in the Round of 32 in 2013.


They collided at the Final Four in 2009 with North Carolina capturing an 83-69 triumph as a seven-point ‘chalk.’ In the 2005 Tournament, UNC advanced with a 67-66 victory, but the Wildcats easily took the money as 11-point underdogs.


The ‘over’ is 20-17-1 overall for the Wildcats after cashing at an 11-3 clip in their last 14 games.


The ‘over’ is 21-18 overall for UNC, hitting in three straight and four of its last five.


Tip-off is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Eastern on TBS.

Championship Game Props


Team to Score First
Villanova -110
North Carolina -120


Team to Score the First 20 Points
Villanova +105
North Carolina -135


Villanova - Total Points
Over 74 (-115)
Under 74 (-115)


North Carolina - Total Points
Over 77 (-115)
Under 77 (-115)


Villanova - Total 1st Half Points
Over 34.5 (-115)
Under 34.5 (-115)


North Carolina - Total 1st Half Points
Over 36 (-115)
Under 36 (-115)


Total 3 Point Field Goals Made by BOTH Teams
Over 14.5 (-130)
Under 14.5 (-110)


Villanova vs North Carolina - Adjusted Line A
Villanova -4.5 (+240)
North Carolina +4.5 (-320)
Over 145.5 (-200)
Under 145.5 (+165)


Villanova vs North Carolina - Adjusted Line B
Villanova +8.5 (-265)
North Carolina -8.5 (+210)
Over 156.5 (+180)
Under 156.5 (-225)


Margin of Victory
UNC Win By 1-3 Pts +750
UNC Win By 4-6 Pts +900
UNC Win By 7-9 Pts +1000
UNC Win By 10-12 Pts +1000
UNC Win By 13-15 Pts +1200
UNC Win By 16-18 Pts +1400
UNC Win By 19-21 Pts +1600
UNC Win By 22 Pts or +550


Villanova Win By 1-3 Pts +850
Villanova Win By 4-6 Pts +1000
Villanova Win By 7-9 Pts +1200
Villanova Win By 10-12 Pts +1400
Villanova Win By 13-15 Pts +1600
Villanova Win By 16-18 Pts +2200
Villanova Win By 19-21 Pts +2800
Villanova Win By 22 Pts or +1200


Total Points Scored
134 Points or Less +400
135 to 139 Points +900
140 to 144 Points +750
145 to 149 Points +650
150 to 154 Points +600
155 to 159 Points +650
160 to 164 Points +750
165 to 169 Points +900
170 Points or +325


Double Result
Tie HT / UNC FT +2200
Tie HT / Villanova FT +2500
UNC HT/ UNC FT Even
UNC HT/ Villanova FT +500
Villanova HT/ UNC FT +600
Villanova HT/ Villanova FT +225




Player Props -


Most Outstanding Player Odds
Brice Johnson (North Carolina) Even
Josh Hart (Villanova) +300
Joel Berry II (North Carolina) +500
Marcus Paige (North Carolina) +550
Kris Jenkins (Villanova) +700
Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova) +750


Josh Hart (Villanova) Total Points
Over 16.5 (-110)
Under 16.5 (-130)


Josh Hart (Villanova) Total Rebounds+Assists
Over 7 (-120)
Under 7 (-120)


Josh Hart (Villanova) Total Made 3 Point Field Goals
Over 1.5 (Even)
Under 1.5 (-140)


Josh Hart (Villanova) Total 3 Point Field Goal Attempts
Over 3 (-140)
Under 3 (Even)


Josh Hart (Villanova) Total Made Free Throws
Over 3 (-120)
Under 3 (-120)


Kris Jenkins (Villanova) Total Points
Over 16 (-110)
Under 16 (-130)


Kris Jenkins (Villanova) Total Rebounds+Assists
Over 7 (-110)
Under 7 (-130)


Kris Jenkins (Villanova) Total Made 3 Point Field Goals
Over 3 (-110)
Under 3 (-130)


Kris Jenkins (Villanova) Total 3 Point Field Goal Attempts
Over 6.5 (Even)
Under 6.5 (-140)


Kris Jenkins (Villanova) Total Made Free Throws
Over 2.5 (-130)
Under 2.5 (-110)


Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova) Total Points
Over 14.5 (-110)
Under 14.5 (-130)


Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova) Total Rebounds+Assists
Over 7.5 (+110)
Under 7.5 (-150)


Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova) Total Made 3 Point Field Goals
Over 2.5 (-110)
Under 2.5 (-130)


Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova) Total 3 Point Field Goal Attempts
Over 4.5 (-120)
Under 4.5 (-120)


Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova) Total Made Free Throws
Over 2.5 (-130)
Under 2.5 (-110)


Daniel Ochefu (Villanova) Total Points
Over 10.5 (-120)
Under 10.5 (-120)


Daniel Ochefu (Villanova) Total Rebounds+Assists
Over 10.5 (-120)
Under 10.5 (-120)


Daniel Ochefu (Villanova) Total Made Free Throws
Over 1.5 (-140)
Under 1.5 (Even)


Jalen Brunson (Villanova) Total Points+Rebounds+Assists
Over 13.5 (-120)
Under 13.5 (-120)


Brice Johnson (North Carolina) Total Points
Over 20.5 (-120)
Under 20.5 (-120)


Brice Johnson (North Carolina) Total Rebounds
Over 11.5 (-120)
Under 11.5 (-120)


Brice Johnson (North Carolina) Total Blocked Shots
Over 2.5 (+110)
Under 2.5 (-150)


Joel Berry II (North Carolina) Total Points
Over 13.5 (-135)
Under 13.5 (-105)


Joel Berry II (North Carolina) Total Rebounds+Assists
Over 8.5 (+105)
Under 8.5 (-145)


Joel Berry II (North Carolina) Total Made 3 Point Field Goals
Over 1.5 (+110)
Under 1.5 (-150)


Joel Berry II (North Carolina) Total Made Free Throws
Over 1.5 (-140)
Under 1.5 (Even)


Marcus Paige (North Carolina) Total Points
Over 14.5 (Even)
Under 14.5 (-140)


Marcus Paige (North Carolina) Total Rebounds+Assists
Over 7 (-120)
Under 7 (-120)


Marcus Paige (North Carolina) Total Made 3 Point Field Goals
Over 3 (-120)
Under 3 (-120)


Marcus Paige (North Carolina) Total Made Free Throws
Over 2 (-110)
Under 2 (-130)


Justin Jackson (North Carolina) Total Points
Over 13 (-120)
Under 13 (-120)


Justin Jackson (North Carolina) Total Rebounds+Assists
Over 6.5 (-120)
Under 6.5 (-120)


Justin Jackson (North Carolina) Total Made 3 Point Field Goals
Over 1.5 (+110)
Under 1.5 (-130)


Justin Jackson (North Carolina) Total Made Free Throws
Over 3 (-120)
Under 3 (-120)


Kennedy Meeks (North Carolina) Total Points
Over 11 (-105)
Under 11 (-135)


Kennedy Meeks (North Carolina) Total Rebounds+Assists
Over 7 (-120)
Under 7 (-120)


Kennedy Meeks (North Carolina) Total Made Free Throws
Over 2 (-110)
Under 2 (-130)


Odds Subject to Change

For what it’s worth, there has been historical value on the under — especially during March Madness. Since 2005, college basketball unders have gone 20,055-19,786 (50.3%) including 397-375 (51.4%) during the NCAA Tournament.


That record improves to 160-138 (53.7%) when the total drops at least a half-point from open to close. When at least two-thirds of bettors are taking the over, that record jumps to 51-33 (60.7%).

Two of the most storied college basketball programs in the nation will face off tonight when Villanova (34-5, 20-17 ATS) takes on North Carolina (33-6, 20-18 ATS) in the championship game. This will be an interesting clash of styles since the Wildcats are incredibly efficient from the perimeter while the Tar Heels are dominant on the interior.

Villanova’s Daniel Ochefu will have the tall task of defending Brice Johnson, the heavy favorite to be named the Tournament MOP. Johnson is averaging 20 points and 9.6 rebounds in tournament action and has already tallied three double-doubles in five games.


For North Carolina, it’s all about cooling down Villanova’s potent perimeter attack. In Saturday’s Final Four matchup against Oklahoma, the Wildcats shot 71.4% from the floor and 61.1% from downtown en route to a 44-point blowout. Villanova starts four players that are 6’6″ or shorter, but the Tar Heels could force lineup changes if they’re able to utilize their size advantage in the paint.

In what could be one of the most exciting national title games in years, North Carolina opened as a 2.5-point favorite at the market-setting CRIS sportsbook. At the time of publication, the Tar Heels were receiving 63% of spread bets yet they had dropped to -2 on the spread and -140 on the moneyline. This reverse line movement indicates that early sharp money likes the underdog in this matchup.

Teams who have held their opponent to under 60-points in consecutive games have gone 64-34 ATS (65.3%) including a 5-1 ATS record this season. Villanova held Oklahoma to 51-points in the Final Four and limited Kansas to 59-points in their Elite Eight matchup, which makes them a current game match

Tonight marks just the third time this season that Villanova has been an underdog. (12/19 at Virginia and 3/26 vs. Kansas)

"Going to be all UNC from here to tipoff, we might see some sharps come in if we get a little too heavy a certain way," says The Mirage in Vegas


"We want to draw money on Villanova from moneyline perspective, because we do much better on them in futures,”


“Money wagered on moneyline is 53% in favor of Villanova, anywhere from +120 to +117. So we need Nova to win or UNC by one,"

Bookmaker reporting 65% of wagers on UNC, but the total handle (money wagered) on the Tar Heels is only at a 53% clip.

"A lot of Under money from sharps, as of last few hours,” says The Mirage ...

“Number has come down, even though liability is on the Over."

"All talk right now is Villanova. We’ll see UNC money, but I think we’re going to need UNC in this game," says Jonny Avello from the Wynn in Vegas

The public is pounding North Carolina but the bigger wagers are coming in on Villanova for Monday's National Championship Game in Houston.



No. 2 Villanova Wildcats vs. No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels – Open: -2, Move: -3, Move: -2.5

The public appeal of top-seed North Carolina has been there all tournament and has carried over to the championship game, with early public plays siding with UNC. That action pumped the line as high as Tar Heels -3 at some markets before sharp money took the points with Villanova.

“It's been the same story we've had and expected with a divide between the sharps and squares,” says John Lester, lines manager for Bookmaker.eu. “Initially, the spread got pushed up to -2.5 by some big public money, but we've since dropped back to the opener this morning, with smarter action coming in on the underdog.”

Bookmaker.eu is reporting 65 percent of wagers on UNC, but the total handle (money wagered) on the Tar Heels is only at a 53 percent clip.

"I don't see this getting to -3, but it's doubtful it drops below -2 either. It is a solid spread for this matchup," says Lester.

CG Technology, which operates a number of sportsbooks in Las Vegas, had early odds up on potential National Championship matchups and opened North Carolina as a -1.5 favorite versus Villanova, making a move to UNC -2 with early money on the chalk.

“As of now, 71 percent of the money is on the Heels,” Jason Simbal, vice president of risk management for CG Technology, tells Covers. “The money wagered on the moneyline is 53 percent in favor of Villanova, anywhere from +120 to +117. So we need Nova to win or UNC by one.”

MGM sportsbooks in Las Vegas are welcoming moneyline action on the underdog, and offering a bigger win based on their NCAA tournament futures.

“We have a lot of money we want to draw money in on Villanova from a moneyline perspective, because we do much better on them in the futures,” Jay Rood, vice president of race and sports for MGM Resorts, tells Covers. “So, we're sort of manipulating our position a little bit right now.”

Most sportsbooks are reporting between 60-70 percent of their pointspread bets leaning toward North Carolina; however, the overall handle is not as one-sided, with bigger money being laid on the Wildcats from sophisticated players.

This trend is a bit different at the Wynn sportsbook in Las Vegas, where it’s been all Villanova money from the public. According to Johnny Avello, director of race and sports at the Wynn, they will likely need the Tar Heels – a rare position in which the book is rooting for the betting favorite in such a high-profile game.

“It’s a lot of Villanova, with the public taking 'Nova and the points,” Avello, who is dealing UNC -2, tells Covers. “I don’t know where the smart guys are on this game. All the talk right now is on Villanova. We’ll see some North Carolina money, but I think we’re going to need UNC in this game, which isn’t bad because it balances out some futures liability.”


As the public makes their way to the window in the hours before tipoff, most books are bracing for big action on the Tar Heels. That could have wiseguys waiting to jump on the line if bookmakers must make a late adjustment.

“The next few hours is going to be all about the public,” says Rood. “We're going to be seeing a lot of UNC money ... I think it’s going to be all UNC from here to tipoff, and we might see some sharps come in if we get a little too heavy a certain way and have to move the number a little bit."

The total for Monday’s title game hasn’t seen as much movement, but there is definitely an early opinion – especially after both Final Four games finished Over their respective numbers Saturday.

Most books opened between 150.5 and 151 points and took Under action once the lines hit the board, trimming the totals a touch. But with the public coming in, there is a strong push to the Over and the betting total could climb before the whistle blows.

“About 75 percent of the action is on the Over, and I see that continuing throughout the day,” says Peter Childs, supervisor of risk management for Sportsbooks.ag.

In Las Vegas, MGM sportsbooks took early total money on the Over, but sharp bettors have sided with the Under. According to Rood, while the action on the Over will continue to come in, they are respecting the sharp opinion with their movements.

“We’ve had a lot of Under money from the sharps, as of the last few hours,” says Rood. “So the number has actually come down, even though our liability is on the Over at this point.”

“Not something we like to do a lot, but I'd rather take the Over money from the public at a short price than keep taking a ton of Under money from the sharps,” he adds.

In the last 20 years ... only 2 NCAA champ games closed with spreads of lower than 2.


(Wisconsin -1 last year vs. Duke and Florida -1 vs. UCLA in 2006.)

Westgate Superbook is loaded with public action on North Carolina (-2. 149.5) tonight. Steady -2 all across city