Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are the main focus of the Final Four game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and UConn Huskies. After scoring 9 3-pointers in Iowa’s victory over LSU, Clark they are expected to have impressive performances, with Clark excelling at 3-point shots and Bueckers dominating in fast-paced play.
In this highly significant game between the Hawkeyes and the Huskies, I will discuss my favorite player proposition bets for Clark and Bueckers. Also, be sure to explore other dfsPro picks for different games!
Women’s Final Four Player Propositions for April 5
Caitlin Clark Over 5.5 3-pointers Made (-130) – BetRivers
It's not surprising that the sportsbooks are strongly favoring Clark’s propositions; they naturally want to take advantage of the excitement surrounding the country’s most thrilling basketball player.
However, I won't be deterred by the odds. As shown in her previous game against the LSU Tigers, Clark performs exceptionally in major games; she scored 41 points on 9 out of 20 attempts from 3-point range.
Clark has the complete authority to shoot for Iowa, and I doubt that her teammates will succeed in scoring against the Huskies, as they have the 7th lowest field goal percentage in the nation.
Although the Hawkeyes’ supporting players may score a few points through quick passes from Clark or by making some 3-pointers when she is double-teamed, overall, UConn's defense is more organized than LSU’s.
For Iowa to outscore the Huskies, Clark will have to make challenging shots on her own, many of which will certainly be 3-pointers. After taking 20 3-point attempts against the Tigers, Clark has no limit to her shooting.
Paige Bueckers Over 7.5 Rebounds (-115) – DraftKinga
Bueckers has been aggressively grabbing rebounds throughout the NCAA Tournament, achieving 10 or more rebounds in 3 out of 4 games. While Bueckers usually averages 5.1 rebounds per game this season, it is evident that she is focusing on securing rebounds to prevent UConn's opponents from getting second-chance opportunities.
Bueckers has also played the entire 40 minutes in 3 consecutive games; it is highly unlikely that she will be substituted in this game against Iowa, as she is UConn's best player and will be required to guard Clark and contribute offensively.
Furthermore, this matchup is advantageous for Bueckers because Clark only averages about 1 offensive rebound per game; Bueckers can track the ball off the rim instead of focusing solely on blocking out Clark. Additionally, the Hawkeyes don't secure many offensive rebounds as a team, which should also assist Bueckers in her rebounding endeavors. They rank just 198th in offensive rebounds per game despite playing at a fast pace and having more possessions than most teams.
Bueckers will also benefit from Clark's numerous 3-point attempts. In basketball, there's a saying that a long shot leads to a long rebound. Therefore, Bueckers will have a good chance to grab those long rebounds, especially since she will be defending Clark on the perimeter.
One Last Thought
Our AI-driven model indicates that the betting line should be Iowa -4.5, which is currently wider than all of the major sportsbooks. The Hawkeyes defeated LSU in their Elite 8 game; they took a strong lead in the 3rd quarter and maintained it.
Clark successfully made 9 out of her 20 total 3-point attempts, showing exceptional skill. If the reigning champion Tigers couldn't handle Clark, it's hard to imagine UConn stopping her. The Hawkeyes also managed to deal with LSU's exceptional rebounding ability, which bodes well for their matchup against a weaker rebounding team in the Huskies.
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