Very few things on the sports calendar can match the excitement and unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament. So why not add betting to the mix via the college basketball odds at FanDuel Sportsbook?

The 2024 edition of the big dance has arrived, and here at FanDuel Research, we'll have you covered with a betting guide for each game.

Connecticut is coming into this year's NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed, starting their road back to the National Championship against Stetson.

All college basketball odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook, and lines may change after this article is published.

NCAA Tournament Betting Picks

Stetson vs. Connecticut Betting Odds

Date and Time: Friday, March 22nd at 2:45 p.m. ET

Spread: Connecticut -26.5 (-110)

Total: 145.5

Moneyline:

• Stetson: +3500
• Connecticut: -20000

Stetson vs. Connecticut Statistical Breakdown

Advanced stats from KenPom, Bart Torvik and numberFire.

Stetson

• numberFire Ranking: 210th
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 232nd
• KenPom Ranking: 220th
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 342nd
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 102nd
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 257th

Connecticut

• numberFire Ranking: 3rd
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 2nd
• KenPom Ranking: 1st
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 12th
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 1st
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 329th

Stetson vs. Connecticut Best Bet

Over 145.5 (-105)

When it's a No. 1 seed against a No. 16 seed, blowouts are a near guarantee -- especially when it's the reigning National Champions that we're dealing with. Connecticut is going to be as tough a team as any in the NCAA Tournament, and they're riding a seven-game win streak into this bracket to prove it.

Now, trying to decide the best bet in a game between two teams so far from each other is tough, so I'm one to lean on the total over the spread for Friday's tilt. And with that, let's take the over in what could be a game of flexing for Connecticut over Stetson.

The one thing that Stetson has going for them is that their offense wasn't all too bad, and it's the factor that plays into taking the over. They ranked 102nd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, per KenPom, as they averaged 77.5 points per game this season. Now, a strong defensive unit like UConn's (12th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency) is likely to stop Stetson from getting to that total, but it's still high enough to show that they can score.

It'll be Connecticut that decides this over, but based on their season, it should be right there at the mark. They've averaged 81.5 points per game this season while allowing 64.4 to their opponents. That's right at the 145.5 that I'm looking for. They should be able to score a bit more than their usual total with their top-ranked offense (1st in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency) against Stetson's poor defense -- which ranks 342nd in the country.

Connecticut's talented duo of Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer will do the heavy lifting scoring-wise. Newton has averaged 15.2 points on the campaign while Spencer scored 14.5 per game, respectively.

The Huskies should take care of business to remind everyone in the tournament why they're the defending National Champions.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.