Zach Edey Betting Favorite to Score First Field Goal in Purdue-UConn National Championship Game

There will be 40 minutes of basketball between UConn and Purdue to determine the men’s basketball national champion.

But one wager could be decided within the first minute.

DraftKings has unveiled a prop bet asking which player will score the first field goal in the title game.

It’s not a surprise to see Boilermakers star big man Zach Edey listed as the favorite, as he is averaging 24.9 points per game on the season and is more likely than not to win the opening tip.

Odds to Make the First Field Goal In Purdue-UConn

• Zach Edey +295
• Donovan Clingan +400
• Trey Kaufman-Renn +700
• Alex Karaban +750
• Stephon Castle +800
• Fletcher Loyer +800
• Tristen Newton +850
• Lance Jones +950
• Braden Smith +950
• Cam Spencer +1000

Edey has won the jump ball in four out of Purdue’s five NCAA Tournament games, and he has scored the first basket in three of those contests. 

The other Purdue player to score the first basket during the tournament was Trey Kaufman-Renn against North Carolina State.

UConn has won the opening jump ball in only two of its five tournament games, so the likelihood is that Purdue will get the first crack at winning this wager.

The Huskies have scored the first field goal in three of their five tourney games and the first field goal scorers were: Alex Karaban, Donovan Clingan and Tristen Newton.

Newton seems like the value play here. He has a projected scoring total of 15.5, which is the second-highest among any player in this game behind Edey.

While the Huskies may not get the ball first, their defense has been stellar in the tournament and Purdue could be stymied on its opening possession.

Edey makes sense as the clear favorite to make the first field goal in the national title game between Purdue and UConn, but we will go with an underdog.

Best bet: UConn G Tristen Newton to Hit First Field Goal (+850 odds at DraftKings)