MOP Betting Odds and Predictions for the Final Four Most Outstanding Player

by Mike Allen - 4/3/2024

Final Four MOP odds for Most Outstanding Player Tristen Newton UConn Huskies

I would like to welcome everyone who made it to this point with two of their Final Four teams still playing. As for the rest of us, it has been a rough ride. Imagine how difficult the offseason will be, though, for all of the teams who have been eliminated by the NC State Wolfpack.

It has been quite the story so far, and The Pack has an absolute darling of a player in their power forward, senior DJ Burns. The Winthrop transfer has everybody gushing about him, at this point, and I have since confessed my love for the man. With that said, it's highly unlikely he will win the Final Four's (MOP) Most Outstanding Player.

He and the rest of his Pack will be up against it in the semifinals, as the 7-foot-5, 300-pound, Zach Edey will lead the heavily favored Purdue Boilermakers against them. Edey seems like a strong pick for this award, but his team, in all likelihood, will need to win the National Championship.

That's where the Alabama Crimson Tide rolls in. I'm kidding. They are a lot of fun but a very similar team stylistically to the Fighting Illini, a squad who allowed the UConn Huskies to go on a 30-0 run to beat them in the Elite Eight.

Both NC State and Alabama have been incredible, as well as incredibly lucky, to get to this point. Who wants to see one of them play Purdue or UConn in the National Championship, though?

I want to see Purdue and UConn. And unless there is exceptional value for any particular player, we are going to stick to the Boilermakers and Huskies for our potential MOP predictions.

Doc’s Sports offers college basketball expert picks for every game on our NCAA basketball predictions page.

Donovan Clingan (UConn): +190

Guys, the only reason Donovan Clingan is more of a betting favorite than Edey to win the MOP is because the Huskies are favored to win should these two teams play in the Finals. Clingan hasn’t had a massive year statistically, though. He doesn’t even play that many minutes.

The big man is dominant but is averaging only a hair over 12 points/game over his last 10 contests. How is he going to perform against Edey, better or worse?

Zach Edey (Purdue): +225

We have talked about him enough, and finally, we have a chance to bet on the best player in college basketball to win the MOP of the Final Four.

At only (+225), I can't get behind the big man in this spot. UConn is the pick to win. So, we have to go in that direction. Also, I do not think the Huskies will allow Edey to beat them. They have the team and depth to get him into foul trouble and double-team as needed.

Tristen Newton (UConn): +550

Now, we're talking here. Tristen Newton is the leading scorer and most effective passer of the basketball for the UConn Huskies this year, averaging 15 points/game with over 6 assists. He also rebounds the ball exceptionally well and has the potential for a triple-double.

The Huskies are possibly the most well-rounded team in the country, but you better believe that this is their most valuable player.

Cam Spencer (UConn): +1600

The senior from the state of Maryland, Cam Spencer, is the team’s best shooter and from all ranges. The guard shoots 45% from beyond the arc, 92% from the free throw line, and nearly 50% overall from the field.

He isn't the type to create his own shot, but he will be posted up waiting on that extra pass as the Huskies go around the horn out of the potential double team. With him only averaging 10 field goal attempts per year and only getting to the free throw line once or twice a game, I have to lean away from the sniper.

I could see him being the star of one of the two Final Four games, but not both.

Final Four MOP Pick: Tristen Newton

I can see the two dominant centers canceling one another out to a degree. That leaves the door wide open, and who better to lead the way than the leader of the best team?

Remaining Betting Odds

Stephon Castle (UConn): +1800

Mark Sears (Alabama): +2200

DJ Burns (NC State): +2200

Braden Smith (Purdue): +2500

DJ Horn (NC State): +4000

Alex Karaban (UConn): +5000

Aaron Estrada (Alabama): +10000

Grant Nelson (Alabama): +10000

Lance James (Purdue): +10000

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Start:	November 21, 2024 @ 7:30 PM
Expert:	Scott Spreitzer
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MOP Betting Odds and Predictions for the Final Four Most Outstanding Player

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