2025 Final Four Best Bets: Top Picks for Florida vs. Auburn and Houston vs. Duke | Deadspin.com

It’s rare in a tournament format for the best teams to make it to the end of the road, but the 2025 Final Four gives us precisely what sports fans clamor for in a championship.

Such a scenario can make betting a challenge, but that’s where our “Best Bets” come in handy.

I’ve done a deep dive into all four top seeds and have come up with the following as my “Best Final Four Bets” list. This doesn’t mean you can skip doing your own research, but we offer a little direction.

Florida Gators (-2.5) vs. Auburn Tigers (+122), o/u 159.5
Date: Saturday, April 5
Time: 6:09 p.m. EDT
Coverage: CBS
Odds via FanDuel

I almost want to go with Auburn to win. If you’ve checked expert picks, you’ve likely seen many analysts picking Florida. But I can’t craft a convincing argument for the Tigers to take down the Gators. Then again, I can’t really make one for Florida, either.

This is a game between two great teams, and anyone can win. All it will take is for one team to make one more mistake than the other. As for who that will be — I don’t know. It could easily be either.

However, don’t expect another high-scoring game like their regular-season meeting (a 90–81 Florida win). Auburn’s defense won’t allow Florida to hit 13 three-pointers again. Both defenses will play tighter, more controlled basketball. Expect a slower pace and a final score well below the last outing.

UNDER 159.5

Johni Broome player props

OVER 19.5 points at -110

25+ points at +300 (DraftKings)

OVER 10.5 rebounds at +114

The only thing that may hold Broome back is the elbow injury he suffered against Michigan State. He hasn’t practiced since then, giving the injury time to heal. So far, the word is that he’ll play.

Broome has recorded double-doubles in three of four tournament games, grabbing at least 11 rebounds in each. He scored 22 against Michigan and another 22 against Michigan State. In the biggest game of the season, you’d expect him to show out — which has me leaning toward the 25+ point prop.

However, the injury is concerning, and Florida’s defense is legit. They might slow him down, but they likely won’t stop him, which makes OVER 19.5 points the play. As for rebounds, Florida is a good rebounding team, but I don’t think they’ll keep Broome off the glass.

Houston Cougars (+225) vs. Duke Blue Devils (-5.5), o/u 136.5
Date: Saturday, April 5
Time: 8:49 p.m. EDT
Coverage: CBS
Odds via BetMGM

You’ve got two top-10 defenses in this game. Yes, Duke also boasts a top-10 offense, but Houston’s No. 1-ranked defense will keep the Blue Devils from taking full control. Houston’s offense is solid, but Duke’s No. 7 defense will slow it down enough to prevent a high total.

UNDER 136.5

Cooper Flagg player prop

UNDER 19.5 points at -140

Flagg is averaging 18.9 points per game this season and has topped 19.5 just once during the tournament — a 30-point effort against Arizona. But none of the defenses Duke has faced so far compare to Houston’s.

Duke has other talented scorers and won’t need to force it to Flagg. Expect a quieter scoring night from the freshman.

L.J. Cryer player prop

OVER 2.5 made threes at -117 (Caesars)

With Duke holding a size advantage inside, Houston will need to rely on perimeter shooting. Cryer has hit 39.4% of his 3-point attempts this season, including a combined 10 of 20 in the first two tournament games.

He’s cooled off recently (1-for-5 and 2-for-8 in the last two), and Duke plays solid perimeter defense. Still, the necessity of shooting more from deep could push Cryer over the 2.5 mark.