National Championship: TV Schedule, Odds, & Predictions for Monday's March Madness title game

After an exhilarating 2023 NCAA Tournament, March Madness is coming to an end with Monday’s title game between the San Diego State Aztecs and Connecticut Huskies.

It certainly isn’t the ultimate showdown many expected, but it’s one that will have a myriad of eyeballs glued to the television screen as always. Both squads have scratched and clawed their way through their respective opponents, and one final test remains in their path to glory.

The excitement is reaching a fever pitch. With one final, gigantic showdown set for Monday’s title game, here’s everything you need to know, from when and where to watch, what Las Vegas is thinking and who the ESPN Basketball Power Index and KenPom have moving on to the title game.

Game Time, TV Channels, & Odds for National Championship:

No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs vs. No. 4 Connecticut Huskies (-7.0) — Monday, 9:20 p.m. (CBS)

• ESPN’s BPI: Connecticut by 6.6 (74.3% Win Probability)
• KenPom: Connecticut 69, San Diego State 64 (69% Win Probability for Huskies)

It’s no surprise the Huskies are favored entering the showdown, as Dan Hurley’s squad hasn’t just beaten teams throughout the 2023 NCAA Tournament, they’ve dismantled them.

“I think what we’re doing — when we’re playing harder than the other team, which is our calling card, going like plus nine on the glass, playing elite defense and having a lot of answers on offense, there’s nowhere where we’re weak as a team, and we’re deep,” Hurley said, revealing Connecticut’s key to success. 

UConn’s physicality has been on display throughout the tournament. The Huskies, the No. 4 seed in the West Region, have had a tough road to reach this point. UConn is averaging a margin of victory over five tournament games, defeating No. 13 seed Iona, No. 5 Saint Mary’s, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 3 Gonzaga to win the West Region before beating No. 5 Miami.

“So we’re able to kind of body blow our opponent and continue to just put together quality possessions at both ends and the backboard, and it has a cumulative effect,” Hurley added. “It’s been able to break opponents.”

Meanwhile, the Aztecs enter the showdown following a moment for the ages, as Lamont Butler made a name for himself and etched himself into Aztecs history with his game-winning shot as time expired against Florida Atlantic, sending Brian Dutcher’s team to the title game.

“I’m just happy these guys get to experience it for the first time,” Dutcher said, following Saturday’s Final Four victory. “My coaching staff — I’m so proud of all of them. The hard work they put in. They’re deserving.”

Both teams are highly deserving of the honor of playing in the 2023 title game, but only one can lift the trophy at the end. It should be an absolute battle on Monday between the Connecticut Huskies and San Diego State Aztecs.