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Based in Atlanta, GA - Rick Limpert is an award-winning writer, a best-selling author, and a featured sports travel writer.

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Entries in Final Four (27)

Wednesday
Mar312021

NCAA Tournament 'Final Four' Odds

The NCAA tournament has reached the Final Four and oddsmakers continue to adjust future numbers for this weekend's event in Indianapolis.

Gonzaga is currently listed as the -225 favorite (Bet $225 to win $100) to capture the championship at BetMGM.

The rest of the Final Four field includes Baylor at +375 odds, while Houston sits at 6/1 odds, and UCLA is the long shot at +2500 odds.

2021 COLLEGE BASKETBALL CONTENDERS
Gonzaga +125
Baylor +375
Houston +600
UCLA +2500

Semifinal Games:

No. 11 UCLA vs. No. 1 Gonzaga (-14)
No. 2 Houston vs. No. 1 Baylor (-5)

Friday
Jan172020

Previewing the Final Four Coming to Atlanta

This week, the City of Atlanta and the NCAA enveiled some of their plans for the NCAA Men's Basketball Championships, the Final Four coming to Atlanta in April.

Even if you don’t have a ticket to the games being played, there will be plenty of things fans can do leading up to the 2020 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Atlanta, April 3-6, 2020.

The events are planned with families and basketball fans of all ages in mind and will include a variety of free or low-cost, family-friendly options.

“We are excited to welcome renowned musical and basketball talent to the city of Atlanta,” said Carl Adkins, executive director of the Atlanta Basketball Host Committee. “With daily activities, concerts and National Championship games in all three divisions being held in one weekend, the NCAA Final Four will give Atlanta locals and visitors alike unique and affordable opportunities to be part of the Final Four.”

It all starts on Friday, April 3, as fans will be able to get a first look at the court set up inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium at the free Reese’s Final Four Friday. During the event, the four teams participating in the Final Four will hold open practices, which are free to the public. The practices will be followed by the Reese’s All-Star Game, featuring the top senior NCAA student-athletes.

“Atlanta prides itself on being a world-class host for the sporting world’s biggest events, and we are proud to host the Final Four for the fifth time,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “Thank you to the NCAA, the Atlanta Sports Council, the Atlanta Basketball Host Committee—and a special thank you to the women and men in public safety who put themselves in harm’s way to ensure a safe, secure and fun event for visitors and residents alike.”

Things kick into high gear with an assortment of fan events. They will include the Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One, held at the Georgia World Congress Center beginning April 3 until April 6. Fan Fest tickets will be on sale beginning Wednesday, January 15 at $10 per person with free admission for children 12 and under and Capital One cardholders. For more information about the Fan Fest and tickets, please visit the Fan Fest overview located on the NCAA’s website.

The March Madness Music Festival will also tip off on Friday, April 3, with the AT&T Block Party, on Saturday, April 4, with Coca-Cola Music and continue through Sunday, April 5, with Capital One JamFest, featuring Taylor Swift as the headliner. Located in Centennial Olympic Park, the festival is free to the public and will include a variety of music artists, which will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event. Additional details about JamFest and exclusive cardmember benefits will be forthcoming.

Once again, the NCAA Men’s Division II and III National Championships will be held on Sunday, April 5, at State Farm Arena. The Division III game will tipoff at 12:30 p.m. and the Division II game will begin at 4 p.m. The games are free and open to the public.

Sunday
Mar252018

Loyola Baketball Team Returns Home to a Huge Welcome

What a hero's welcome. Let's hope this team keeps its focus for the Final Four.

Thursday
Mar302017

What it Costs to go to the Final Four and Travel Tips

The road to the Final Four ends in Phoenix with college basketball fans from across the country traveling to Arizona for the final March Madness showdown, beginning on Saturday, April 1 and culminating on Monday, April 3 with the National Championship. With over 70,000 seats to fill at the University of Phoenix Stadium, there’s plenty of room to welcome fans from across the country. However, travel prices are climbing and hotels will go fast in the days leading up to the weekend of games. Orbitz.com takes a look.

AIRFARE PRICES

Fans traveling to witness basketball history in hot and sunny Phoenix from the Pacific Northwest and the Carolinas will see airfare at the following1:

·        University of South Carolina (Columbia to Phoenix) – roundtrip flights starting at $1,185 on Orbitz.com

·        Gonzaga University (Spokane to Phoenix) – roundtrip flights starting at $1,413 on Orbitz.com

·        University of Oregon (Eugene to Phoenix) – roundtrip flights starting at $1,242 on Orbitz.com

·        University of North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham to Phoenix) – roundtrip flights starting at $1,242 on Orbitz.com

HOTEL PRICES

Hotels near the stadium are booking up quickly with current rates on Orbitz.com starting at $233 per night for a 4-star hotel in the Glendale area. Below is a list of alternative neighborhoods with lodging options in the greater Phoenix area, for those who can’t get close to the stadium:

 
Neighborhood
   
Hotels Rates on Orbitz.com Starting At
    

Distance to Stadium

Downtown Phoenix
    
$379
    
16 miles

Goodyear
    
$194
    
10 miles

Peoria
    
$279
    
10 miles

Surprise
    
$207
    
11 miles

CAR RENTAL PRICES

For travelers who aren’t staying in the immediate vicinity of the stadium, transportation to games will be another travel cost. According to Orbitz.com, car rental rates start at just $15/day over this big game weekend.


TIPS FOR SAVING

·        AIRFARE: Fly out a day early, stay a day later to avoid higher airfare prices and find more availability on flights. Also, look to alternative airports in the area, including Mesa and Tucson

·        HOTEL: Use a promotion code such as EXPLOREMORE to save 15% on Orbitz.com

·        PACKAGE IT: If you need more than one travel component, package them together for the best savings

Tuesday
Mar282017

Various Final Four Odds

BetOnline.ag sportsbook brand manager Dave Mason has released the following betting trends and latest odds for the Final Four matchups.



For more visit; BetOnline.ag

61% of early bets on South Carolina (+6.5)

60% of bets on North Carolina (-5)

Futures: most bets to win it all (ordered top to bottom by volume):

    North Carolina
    Gonzaga
    Oregon
    South Carolina

Notes: Gamecocks would be a huge win for house, with Oregon almost as big.
Odds to Win - 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship     
North Carolina     +135
Gonzaga     +175
Oregon     +400
South Carolina     +700
      
Odds to Win - Exact Result     
North Carolina beats Gonzaga     +230
North Carolina beats South Carolina     +500
Oregon beats Gonzaga     +650
Oregon beats South Carolina     +1200
Gonzaga beats North Carolina     +320
Gonzaga beats Oregon     +450
South Carolina beats Oregon     +1600
South Carolina beats North Carolina     +1400
      
Odds to Win - Gonzaga vs. Field     
Gonzaga     +175
Field (any other team)     -220
      
Odds to Win - South Carolina vs. Field     
South Carolina     +700
Field (any other team)     -1250
      
Odds to Win - North Carolina vs. Field     
North Carolina     +135
Field (any other team)     -165
      
Odds to Win - Oregon  vs. Field     
Oregon     +400
Field (any other team)     -600


Matchup Odds:
      Spread     Price     ML     Over/Under     Price
South Carolina     +6½     -105     +240     Over 138     -110
Gonzaga     -6½     -115     -285     Under 138     -110
                              
      Spread     Price     ML     Over/Under     Price
Oregon     +5     -110     +180     Over 151.5     -110
North Carolina     -5     -110     -210     Under 151.5     -110