2025 NCAA TOURNAMENT FINAL: Best bets, elections and player requisites for championship Monday

This is it – the last college basketball game of the year. And with how both teams played Saturday we are looking for an incredibly exciting game tonight. Such an event mandate takes great care with how you bet, why we have created a “best bets” list for the game.

As always, I recommend Line Shopping to make sure you get the best odds for your desired market. In this post, the odds are available via Fanduel unless otherwise stated.

Houston (-102) against Florida (-1.5), O/U 140.5

Over 140.5 points at -114

This game will be about every team that does what it does best. For Houston, it means playing hard nosed defense. When it comes to Florida, pick up the beat and get many points. Of course, with two such contrasting styles, something will have to give.

I don’t know which one will be. But I know that both teams count on the 3 and are likely to do so in this game, even though both play solid circumference defense. Good as it can be, both teams will hit their share of 3 points.

Now the below is 5-1-1 in Houston’s last seven matches. But the pus came against a Duke team that makes about 38% of its 3-points, and the over-hit against a Gonzaga team that shoots about 35% from 3-point interval-precise Florida.

Total first half, under 65.5 at -104
Total in the second half, over 74.5 points at -113

Houston will dictate the pace in a low score. The streets were on average about 37 points during the first half of their last four matches; I think Houston’s defense will have that number closer to 30 points.

On average, cougars have just over 31 points per match during the first half of his last four matches. They are likely to have a similar number or less against Florida.

As for the second half, Houston picked up his game – but so did the opponents. Florida’s production was a little higher, but not so much. Between the two they will go over 74.5 points for half.

National Championship Game: Player Props

LJ Cryer, over 16.5 points at -118
Cryer has received over 16.5 points in three of five tournament games; He got 15 in just under 20 minutes in round 1 and had an off night against Purdue. But he has rolled the last two games with 26 and 17 points. He has met 45% of his 3-point pictures in tournament games.

With the title of the line we see Cryer bring his A+ game. Florida’s defense is not good enough to stop him.

Emmanuel Sharp, over 14.5 points on -102

Sharp was an average of 12.8 points per match during the season but picked up his game down in the route with 17-plus in the Big 12 tournament game and 16-plus per match since Sweet 16. Against Florida’s defense, there is no reason to think he can’t do the same.

Walter Clayton Jr., Over 2.5 did 3s on -208
LJ Cryer, over 2.5 made 3s on -117
Same gameparlay odds: +183
Odds via Caesars

Both players have shot well behind the bow; Clayton has shot almost 50% from 3-point intervals during the tournament (19-for-39) and Cryer about 45% (19-for-42). They each have an average of 3.8 made 3S per match.

I would be surprised if both did not hit at least three 3 points tonight.

Will Richard, under 1.5 assists on -129 (Caesars)

Richard was an average of 1.8 assists per match this season and has had several in four of five tournament games. He had zero in the victory over Auburn, and with Lj Cryer who probably defends him tonight, he will have difficulty getting one – even less two.