The 2026 Final Four is set for Saturday, April 4, as we are closing out what has been a fantastic March Madness. It got us thinking, what have been the biggest spreads over the last 25 years in the Final Four? Let’s take a look.
Gonzaga was -14.5 vs UCLA in 2021
(Gonzaga was a -14.5 favorite against UCLA in 2021. Photo: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)College basketball’s biggest spread in the Final Four this century was back in 2021 when (1) Gonzaga was a -14.5 favorite against (11) UCLA. The two teams meet in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium with Gonzaga as a double-digit favorite. UCLA proved it wasn’t a fluke and pushed the game into overtime, but fell just short in a 93-90 game that saw the Zags move on to the NCAA National Championship. Gonzaga fell to Baylor in the tournament final.
Drew Timme had 25 points for Gonzaga in the Final Four win, while Johnny Juzang led UCLA with 29 points in the loss.
UCLA was a No. 11 Seed in 2021
That season saw a wild tournament run from UCLA. The Bruins started in the First Four as a No. 11 seed and ripped off 5 wins to reach the Final Four. The run tied UCLA as the lowest seed ever to reach the Final Four. LSU (1986), George Mason (2006), VCU (2011), Loyola Chicago (2018), and NC State (2024) have also reached the Final Four as a No. 11 seed.
UCLA won its First Four game against Michigan State in overtime, and it was one of three overtime games during its wild 2021 tournament run. Check out the results from UCLA’s Final Four run in 2021.
RoundMatchupResultFirst Fourvs 11 Michigan StateW 86-80 (OT)First Roundvs 6 BYUW 73-62Second Roundvs 14 Abilene ChristianW 67-47Sweet 16vs 2 AlabamaW 88-78 (OT)Elite 8vs 1 MichiganW 51-49Final Fourvs 1 GonzagaL 93-90 (OT)New sports bettor? See our guides
Biggest Final Four Spreads Since 2000
(UConn was a 10-point favorite in 2024 against Alabama. Photo: Patrick Breen-USA TODAY Sports)We have had three double-digit favorites in the Final Four since the 2000 tournament. Gonzaga -14.5 in 2021, Connecticut was -10 against Alabama in 2024, and North Carolina was -10 against Syracuse in 2016. Take a look at some more of the biggest spreads in the Final Four since 2000.
YearMatchupSpread2021(1) Gonzaga vs (11) UCLAZAG -14.52024(1) UConn vs (4) AlabamaUConn -102016(1) North Carolina vs (10) SyracuseUNC -102024(1) Purdue vs (11) NC StatePUR -9.52013(1) Louisville vs (9) Wichita StLOU -9.52012(1) Kentucky vs (4) LouisvilleUK -8.52026 Final Four Odds
We are down to four teams in 2026, and we have two excellent matchups set for Saturday, April 4. At 6:09 pm ET, it’s No. 3 Illinois against No. 2 Connecticut. UConn rallied from being down double-digits against Duke, and Braylon Mullins hit an insane deep three in the final seconds to help the Huskies get back into the Final Four. UConn was the NCAA Champion in 2023 and 2024. Illinois picked up a 71-59 win over Iowa to advance.
At 8:49 pm ET, it will be No. 1 Michigan vs No. 1 Arizona in one of the best matchups in recent memory. Michigan absolutely dominated No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite 8 in a 95-62 victory, while Arizona took care of No. 2 Purdue by a score of 79-64.
Illinois is a -2.5 spread favorite against Connecticut, while Michigan is a -1.5 favorite vs Arizona. Check out the schedule for Saturday.
MatchupTime (ET)TVSpread(3) Illinois vs. (2) UConn6:09 PMTBSTNTtruTVILL -2.5(1) Michigan vs. (1) Arizona8:49 PMTBSTNTtruTVMICH -1.5Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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