One of the most popular terms in the college basketball community is “blue blood.” To illuminate, this is the term that describes the sport’s traditional powers. And the most popular brands on the College Basketball odds board. But Kansas, UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Duke are on the outside looking in. So too, are new powers such as Alabama and Houston. Instead, 2023 March Madness has an upstart Final Four. Connecticut Huskies, San Diego State, Miami, and Florida Atlantic are the last four standing. Following Saturday’s semifinal is the Monday national championship game.
2023 Final Four Overview
| Date: | Saturday, April 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location: | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas |
| TV Coverage: | CBS |
National Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Connecticut -125 | -125 |
| San Diego State +390 | +390 |
| Miami +500 | +500 |
| FAU +600 | +600 |
2023 Final Four SBG Odds Overview
At the beginning of the week, the Connecticut Huskies opened as the online betting favorite to win the national championship. UConn is the best-known and most respected public brand of the Final Four teams. On the other hand, the Florida Atlantic Owls are the sentimental favorite as the ultimate Cinderella squad. San Diego State has been a national contender for several years but has never gotten this far. In comparison, the Miami Hurricanes gained respect by winning a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.
Larranaga Defies the Times and Trends
At age 73, Miami head coach Jim Larranaga walked into the hurricane that chased off many great coaches. Previously, famed coaches such as Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, Jay Wright, and Jim Boeheim stepped aside. Of course, this is a new NCAABB betting era. NIL payments to players and the transfer portal have changed the dynamics. Now the players have more control than the players. Hence, the retirements of the aforementioned living legends.
But Larranaga is different. He chose to adapt instead of seeing his career die. Following their win over Texas, Larranaga briefly described how he lobbied the administration for improved facilities. He was proud to say the team’s jet for road games was upgraded from a 30-seater to a 70-seater. To show, that was the difference between flying coach and first class.
Last Sunday revealed the difference between the old and the new Miami. The Canes sparked an incredible 35-16 rally in the last 12 minutes to stun the Longhorns. In the immediate aftermath of eliminating the tournament’s highest remaining seed, all doubt was removed. Certainly, Miami was helped when Texas’ leading scorer Marcus Carr went down with a leg injury with 11 minutes left.
Previously, the old Miami led eventual national champion Kansas by six at halftime in last year’s regional final. But The U got in foul trouble and was eventually blown out. This year’s Miami team trailed Texas by eight at halftime of Sunday’s Midwest Regional championship. And they railed by as many as 13 before the stirring comeback. On the brink of returning to the Final Four for the first time in 20 years, the Horns were outscored 15-6 in the final five minutes. Additionally, they were outhustled and outmuscled. These Canes wouldn’t stop blowing by them.
Specifically, Larranaga proved again that he could strategize with the best of them. With post player Norchad Omier in foul trouble, the coach moved the 6-foot-7 guard to the 5-position in the middle. It was the smallest Miami had played all season, according to Larranaga. Yet it worked! Accordingly, Miami is in its first Final Four.