UCLA opens as underdogs versus South Carolina in the national title game

South Carolina and UCLA will play for the national championship on Sunday. South Carolina opens the game as 3.5-point favorites and -188 on the moneyline. UCLA is +152 as an underdog as they look to pull a second straight upset. As the Bruins were slight 1.5-point underdogs against Texas. A game in which they won 51-44 in the Final Four to head to play for the title. South Carolina was able to dominate UCONN in route to a 62-48 win.

These two teams are some of the best in the nation for a reason. They can dominate on both ends of the floor. South Carolina holding an elite offense of UCONN to only 48 points is phenomenal. While UCLA holding an offense like Texas to 44 points is amazing as well. Both teams have a very good offense, but can lock up defensively. Which is huge four teams that get offensive stagnant at times. 51 points won’t win you many games in the Final Four but it did for UCLA.

The Bruins defense held Madison Booker one of the premier players in the country to six points on 3-22 shooting. She made her first shot of the game and then missed 17 straight. Not many teams in the country can do that but UCLA’s entire starting lineup are great defenders. Then when Angela Dugalić checks into the game, they do not miss a beat. This team is really good, and they look to finish it off with a championship on Sunday.

Dawn Staley looks to win her fourth championship and establish herself as one of the best coaches of all time. She has coached some very good teams at South Carolina. Joyce Edwards can get 20 points in any given game and Madina Okot is a walking double double. So, UCLA will need to continue their elite play against teams best players. That has been the key for them this season. Take out the best players and force others to beat them. It has worked out well as they’re 36-1 and now one game away from their first banner.