A rematch of the 2023 National Championship will take place Monday night when No. 1 Iowa (32-4) battles No. 3 LSU (31-5) for a spot in the Final Four.
The Hawkeyes, led by Caitlin Clark, defeated No. 5 Colorado in the Sweet 16 and are seeking their first title in program history. Meanwhile, Angel Reese’s Tigers are looking to repeat as champions and are coming off a victory over No. 2 UCLA.
This is expected to be a tight, hard-fought contest, and it could easily be the best game of the NCAA Tournament thus far. Let’s dive into our best bets and predictions for Iowa vs LSU.
Iowa vs LSU Odds
All NCAAW odds are current as of Monday, April 1, at 10 a.m. ET.
- Spread: Iowa -2 (-110) • LSU +2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Iowa (-130) • LSU (+110)
- Total: Over 168.5 (-110) • Under 168.5 (-110)
Iowa is a marginal 2-point favorite over LSU. Despite losing to the Tigers in last year’s title game, the Hawkeyes are almost guaranteed to be favored over any opponent other than South Carolina thanks to the presence of Clark.
The total is set at an astonishingly high 168.5 points, but Iowa and LSU are the two highest-scoring teams in the country, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 91.9 points per game, with the Tigers a few notches behind at 85.9 points.
Iowa vs LSU Prediction
Iowa 93, LSU 88
These teams couldn’t be more different in terms of their preferred style of play and individual strengths and weaknesses. Iowa aims to get out in transition and take as many high-value shots as possible, whether they come at the rim or from beyond the arc.
LSU, on the other hand, thrives in the paint and has a penchant for getting to the free-throw line, but it barely attempts three-pointers. Still, the Tigers play at a fast pace, attempting the 15th-most field goals per game (65.9).
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LSU is one of the top rebounding teams in the nation — Reese leads the team with 13.2 per game — so Iowa will need to be selective with its shots and crash the glass when necessary. The Hawkeyes also can’t afford another lackluster showing from deep like they had against West Virginia in the second round.
With that said, I trust Clark to get the job done. This one is personal for her and the Hawkeyes, and we know how incredible she can already be when she’s not playing with a chip on her shoulder.
Iowa vs LSU Best Bets
Iowa -2 (-110) vs LSU
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
All of Iowa’s wins have come by at least three points this season, including all three of its NCAA Tournament games. Few teams can keep pace with the Hawkeyes’ efficient scoring attack, so it’s no surprise that they generally win by a wide margin.
LSU is one of those groups that can go bucket-for-bucket with Iowa, but if you’re still leaning toward taking the Hawkeyes outright, you might as well go for the spread given the slim margin and (-110) odds. All five of the Tigers’ losses were decided by four or more points.
Look for Clark’s side to advance and make this your best college basketball bet today.
Over 168.5 Points (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Don’t let the high total put you off, because these teams are more than capable of reaching — and surpassing — this mark. After all, they combined for 187 in last year’s championship game.
Iowa will do its damage from the perimeter and score in transition. LSU will attack the paint and draw plenty of contact. Both sides have mastered their respective strategies, and neither has a good answer for the other.
So long as one team doesn’t go ice-cold, the Over should hit at 168.5 points.
