North Carolina and Gonzaga are hours away from duking it out for the National Championship in Glendale, Arizona. Both teams eked out Final Four wins, which sets up one of the most appetizing title games in recent memory. It’s not a true David (Gonzaga) vs. Goliath (North Carolina) matchup, but it does have that type of feel to it.
North Carolina has five championships while Gonzaga, a WCC power for decades, is making its first title-game appearance.
If you’re looking to wager some cheddar and want to have some fun in the process, SportsLine has you covered with some of the best prop bets.
Team to make the first three-point field goal: North Carolina -110, Gonzaga -110
Through five tournament games, Gonzaga has hit four more 3-pointers than UNC, and also allowed eight fewer.
The real thing to keep a close eye on is the health of Tar Heels point guard Joel Berry II. He has missed 11 of his last 13 attempts while he deals with injuries to both ankles. That’s not a good sign for one of the team’s most prolific scorers, and could play a role in whether Gonzaga or UNC win this prop bet.
Total free throws made by North Carolina’s Joel Berry II: 2.5 (Over -150, Under +130)
Uncharacteristically, Berry misfired on two free throw attempts in the team’s Final Four game against Oregon, nearly costing the Tar Heels. Despite that, Berry has hit 19 free throws in the previous four games, and firing at an 80-plus percent clip. Because of his health, and because he hasn’t found much success from beyond the arc, this could be a juicy prop bet. There’s a decent chance he surpasses this one by halftime.
Total rebounds by North Carolina’s Kennedy Meeks: 10.5 (-110 either way)
Kennedy Meeks is coming off his best game of the entire season against Oregon. He dominated the glass and the paint, scoring 25 points and adding 14 rebounds. But Gonzaga presents a totally different challenge. The Bulldogs have size in 7-footers Przemek Karnowski and Zach Collins, which will likely decrease Meeks’ opportunities down low. This one could be more of a tossup.
For picks on the prop bets and more prop bets from SportsLine, click here.