NCAA Tournament Final Four line movements: Bettors once again on Zags and Bears

Baylor Bears forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) grabs a rebound during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Elite Eight of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Photo of Ricky Dimon

Ricky Dimon

MLB

Show Bio

Since graduating from Davidson (The College That Stephen Curry Built), I have been writing about sports -- just about any and all you can think of! -- and coaching tennis in Atlanta, GA. Beyond the four major sports, I am an avid tennis fan and cover the ATP Tour on a daily basis. If I'm not busy writing, you can generally find me on a tennis court or traveling the world wherever a sporting event takes me.

The NCAA Tournament is down to the Final Four on Saturday followed by the National Championship on Monday. It’s safe to say that the true essence of March Madness been on display from start to finish, with upsets taking place left and right from start to finish. One double-digit seed remains, and now it faces the toughest test of all: a matchup with Gonzaga. That is the fate that awaits upstart UCLA, while Baylor faces Houston in the first semifinal featuring a No. 1 and No. 2 seed. Let’s take a look at where some of the money on the upcoming festivities has gone to sway the lines one way or the other.

Line movements

Move for the favorite
Gonzaga -13.5 to -14.5 vs. UCLA

Move for the under
Baylor-Houston 135.5 to 134.5
Gonzaga-UCLA 145.5 to 145

Gonzaga vs. UCLA ATS

Bettors have been hammering Gonzaga throughout this NCAA Tournament and nothing is changing in the Final Four. Early money is on the Zags against UCLA, to the extent that the line has moved from -13.5 to -14.5. Per DraftKings, Gonzaga is getting inspiring 81 percent of the handle and 70 percent of the bets.

Of course the public is on Gonzaga. This is matchup between the least surprising Final Four team and the most surprising Final Four team. Really the spread can’t be high enough. Head coach Mark Few’s squad has covered in all four of its tournament games so far. What’s to say they can’t cover a 14-spread against a No. 11 seed that barely made it into the field and had to contest a proverbial play-in game?

Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins preview and picks

The Gonzaga Bulldogs

Gonzaga vs. UCLA Game Totals

The total has not done much, diminishing slightly from 145.5 to 145. Bets are just about even on the current number, so it’s hard to see any more movement taking place.

It’s understandable that the public is conflicted. On one hand, Gonzaga is perhaps the most explosive team in the nation from an offensive standpoint. On the other hand, only two UCLA players scored more than four points against Michigan in the Elite Eight and Johnny Juzang scored 28 of his team’s 51 points. The Bruins are certainly going to do everything they can to slow the pace down on Saturday.

Baylor vs. Houston Game Totals

In the first semifinal, the total has dropped from 135.5 to 134.5—not a huge decrease to be sure, but also not one that is entirely insignificant given that it already wasn’t very high to begin with. But it may be back on the rise soon because 60 percent of the money and 68 percent of the wagers are currently backing Over 134.5.

Similar to UCLA, however, Houston is going to play at a snail’s pace. And as good as the Bears are offensively, they also excel at the defensive end of the floor.

Baylor Bears vs. Houston Cougars preview and picks

Pickswise is the home of March Madness Predictions. Check out all of our March Madness Picks, including daily March Madness Parlays throughout the NCAA Tournament.

Virginia Bonuses

See All
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win + $25 Bonus Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet and get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Plus receive a $25 Bonus Bet after placing your qualifying wager

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, OH, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
FanDuel Sportsbook
No Sweat First Bet - Up To $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if you Lose

Sign up for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account

Make a first-time deposit of $10+, and then place your first wager on any sports market

Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets if you lose!

Must be 21+. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 14 days after receipt. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook.
DraftKings
Bet $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets instantly

Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook and make your first deposit

Make your first deposit and bet $5+ on any sports market

Get $150 in bonus bets instantly

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. $150 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com.
bet365
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets!

Register for a new bet365 account

Place qualifying bets of $1 or more

Get $200 in bonus bets - no matter if your bet wins or loses

New Customer Offer. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bonus Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. Must be physically located in VA.
WynnBet
Bet $100 & Get $100 Bet Credit

Register for a WynnBET account today.

Deposit & Wager $100 on any sports market (odds -120 or greater).

Get a $100 Bet Credit.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers
Get up to $500 Back in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Doesn't Win

Sign up for a new BetRivers account using promo code SPORTS

Make your first deposit & and bet up to $500

If your first bet loses, get up to $500 back in bonus bets

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF
Caesars Sportsbook
Your First Cash Bet Is On Caesars Up To $1,250

Sign up for a new Caesars Sportsbook account and Place your 1st wager of $10 or more

If you lose, you get 100% of your stake back as a Bet Credit - up to $1,250.

AND win or lose, you’ll also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

21+. New users and first wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bet credit $1,250; must be used within 14 days of receipt. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Unibet
Get up to $100 Back in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Doesn't Win

Register for a new Unibet account & make a deposit

Place your first bet up to $100 free!

Get $100 back in bonus bets if your wager loses

New players only. Terms & conditions apply. 21+. VA only.
DraftKings
Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus

Create a new DraftKings Sportsbook account and make your first deposit (min $5)

DraftKings will match 20% of your deposit up to $1,000 total

To get a $100 bonus, deposit $500

21+. Terms & conditions apply.
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win Your First Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet up to $1,000!

Get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, MA 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
DraftKings
Get a +1000 Odds Boost on Any Golfer to Win any Tournament

Create a New DraftKings Account

Make Your First Deposit Of $5+ Into Your Sportsbook Account

Following Sign Up, You’ll Be Issued With One (1) Single-Use +1000 Odds Surge Token For Any Golfer To Win Any Tournament

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer
Underdog Fantasy
First deposit is 100% matched up to $100 with Underdog Fantasy

Sign up for a new account with Underdog Fantasy

Make your first deposit

Every dollar (up to $100) will be matched! Deposit $25, get $50; deposit $100, get $200, etc

Must be 21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply
Owners Box
First Time Deposit Bonus Up To $500

Sign up for a new DFS account with OwnersBox

User's first deposit will be matched up to $500 in site-credit

Join one of their Daily NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL contests

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to receive deposit bonuses, participate in Contests, or win prizes offered through OwnersBox Contests. In jurisdictions, territories, and locations where the minimum age for permissible use of Contests is greater than eighteen (18) years old, you must meet the age requirement in your local jurisdiction or territory.
TVG
Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back Up to $200 if you don't win

Register for a new TVG account and make a deposit

Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200

If your horse doesn't win you'll get a refund up to $300

21+. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
TwinSpires
Get a $200 Sign-Up Bonus for The Preakness with Twinspires Racebook

Open your TwinSpires.com account using offer code BET200

$200 bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered

To earn the full $200 bonus players must wager $800 within 30 days

21+. Terms and conditions apply.