Oddsmakers have set the line for the LSU women's basketball team's game against Virginia Tech in the Women's Final Four on Friday night, and the teams rate out almost evenly.
The Tigers are 1-point favorites over the Hokies at Caesars Sportsbook, official odds partner of Bet.NOLA.com. LSU is -130 on the money line, implying a 56.5% chance of winning — when you consider the house's rake, that means the game is considered almost a coin flip.
The game's over/under — the line set for the combined number of points scored by both teams — is 134½. None of LSU's first four NCAA tournament games has had a higher total than 129, which came in a 66-63 win over Utah in the Sweet Sixteen.
LSU advanced to the program's first Final Four since 2008 with a 54-42 win over Miami in the regional final on Sunday. The Tigers have lost the national semifinal in all three of their previous Final Four appearances and hope to buck that trend in coach Kim Mulkey's second season at LSU.
It's no surprise the point spread for the other national semifinal isn't nearly so tight. South Carolina, the reigning champion and unbeaten this season, is an 11½-point favorite over Iowa with a money line of -800, implying an 88.9% chance of winning. The game's over/under is much higher than LSU-Virginia Tech. This one is set at 149½, as Iowa star Caitlin Clark will attempt to outscore the Gamecocks.
South Carolina is the heavy national title favorite with -340 odds at Caesars. LSU is the second favorite at a +600 price, followed by Iowa (+800) and Virginia Tech (+1400). That means a $100 bet on the Tigers to win the national title would profit $600.