March Madness Odds 2025: UConn Favorite to Co-Favorite to 3-Peat Ahead of Season
After winning back-to-back titles, Dan Hurley is back as UConn looks to chase a 3-peat as the favorite by the March Madness odds.
Among the highlights:
- The Huskies are as short as 7/1 at our top March Madness betting sites to win it all, implying a 12.50% probability they'll take home the title
- Kansas is holding firm at +850 despite falling to Arkansas by 16 in the preseason. They were without star Hunter Dickinson in the contest
- Duke (+900) has looked simply dominant in the preseason, but there are still many questions about how a team led by a freshman in Cooper Flagg will fare when the lights are brightest
The college basketball regular season begins Nov. 4, as we look at the favorites to take home the title for the 2024-25 season.
March Madness odds 2025
March Madness odds from our best sports betting apps as of Oct. 31
| Team | Odds (BetMGM) | Implied Probability | Profit ($10 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UConn | +850 | 10.53% | $85 |
| Kansas | +850 | 10.53% | $85 |
| Duke | +900 | 10% | $90 |
| Alabama | +1200 | 7.69% | $120 |
| Houston | +1500 | 6.25% | $150 |
| Gonzaga | +1700 | 5.56% | $170 |
| North Carolina | +2000 | 4.76% | $200 |
| Baylor | +2000 | 4.76% | $200 |
| Iowa State | +2000 | 4.76% | $200 |
| Arizona | +2500 | 3.85% | $250 |
| Arkansas | +2500 | 3.85% | $250 |
- Kansas (+850) and Duke (+900) will receive a valuable litmus test for their championship hopes when the two Blue Bloods square off in one of the sport's marquee matchups on Nov. 26
- After falling flat as a No. 1 seed in last year's NCAA Tournament, North Carolina (+2000) brings back leading scorer RJ Davis to lead a talented Tar Heels squad
- Arkansas (+2500) is starting from complete scratch with legendary head coach John Calipari joining the fold this offseason
2025 March Madness favorite
UConn (+850)
Last season, UConn became the first team to win back-to-back NCAA Tournaments since Florida in 2006 and 2007. But to win three in a row is an entirely different beast, and clearly one Hurley wants to conquer. The UCLA Bruins under John Wooden are the only team ever to three-peat, and they won seven in a row.
Can the Huskies join that rare air? It looked like Hurley's squad would be drained of its talent after two March Madness runs in a row, but then Alex Karaban opted to return to school rather than enter the NBA draft. Hurley also utilized the portal to bolster his roster.
UConn landed Saint Mary's sharpshooter Aidan Mahaney and Michigan big man Tarris Reed Jr. in the portal. To further justify the Huskies' top spot, they brought in five-star recruit Liam McNeeley and returning Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson, two key role players on last year's championship team.
That said, there are still lots of questions surrounding this team, specifically from the point guard position. Nobody on the roster averaged more than 2.6 assists per game last season, and the Huskies were No. 1 nationally in assists last year, led by graduating star Tristen Newton. UConn's offense is predicated on ball movement, but they need someone leading the show on that end, with Mahaney and Diarra the main options that could attempt to take on that role.
Still, the last two seasons have taught those in college basketball to simply trust Hurley and Co. to figure things out, and that's represented in their short odds to win the NCAA Tournament.
Best odds: +900 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 10%
Terms and conditions apply.
My March Madness team to watch
Gonzaga (+1700)
Gonzaga and head coach Mark Few have been on a remarkable run. After finishing No. 12 in KenPom with a Sweet 16 berth, the Bulldogs have now finished in the top-15 of the popular analytics site in eight straight seasons, and have won at least two NCAA Tournament games in nine consecutive March Madness brackets.
This season, the Zags bring back seven of their eight rotation players from the year prior, and add an All-Conference player from their own league in Michael Ajayi, and a former 21-point per game scorer in Khalif Battle. Between the new additions, steady point guard Ryan Nembhard, and low post monster Graham Ike, this team is loaded offensively.
However, Gonzaga's defense has the chance to hamper its potential success this season. Ike is not a true rim protector, and they lack true wing size to guard some of the NBA-ready prospects they may face deeper into the NCAA Tournament.
Still, Few has been around the block forever, and is running out of time to pick up his illustrious March Madness title after finishing second twice. This squad has as good a chance as any to get the job done.
Most importantly for bettors, Gonzaga is reasonably priced given its talent level and how much it brought back from a successful season last year. Sitting sixth in the pecking order at our top March Madness betting sites, the Bulldogs may be worth a shot ahead of the new campaign.
Best odds: +1800 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 5.26%
2025 March Madness odds over time
Latest odds via BetMGM.
| Team | Opening odds (April 9, 2024) | July 29, 2024 | Oct. 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | +1100 | +1000 | +900 |
| Kansas | +1100 | +1000 | +850 |
| UConn | +1200 | +900 | +850 |
| Houston | +1400 | +1800 | +1500 |
| North Carolina | +1600 | +1600 | +2000 |
| Kentucky | +1800 | +2500 | +3500 |
| Alabama | +2000 | +1100 | +1200 |
| Arizona | +2000 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Baylor | +2000 | +2200 | +2000 |
| Gonzaga | +2000 | +1800 | +1700 |
| Michigan State | +2500 | +5500 | +5000 |
| Purdue | +2500 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Tennessee | +2500 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Auburn | +3000 | +3500 | +3000 |
| Iowa State | +3000 | +3000 | +2000 |
| Texas | +3000 | +6000 | +6000 |
| Creighton | +3500 | +4500 | +4000 |
| Marquette | +3500 | +5500 | +6000 |
| Arkansas | +4000 | +2200 | +2500 |
Past March Madness winners
| Year | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | UConn | +2000 |
| 2022-23 | UConn | +8000 |
| 2021-22 | Kansas | +1400 |
| 2020-21 | Baylor | +800 |
| 2019-20 | Cancelled | |
| 2018-19 | Virginia | +1350 |
| 2017-18 | Villanova | +2700 |
| 2016-17 | North Carolina | +1900 |
| 2015-16 | Villanova | +2500 |
| 2014-15 | Duke | +900 |
| 2013-14 | Connecticut | +6500 |
| 2012-13 | Louisville | +700 |
How to bet on March Madness
First, pick a reputable sportsbook that offers futures bets for the NCAA tournament. Check out the odds for various teams; for example, if Duke is at +500 and Gonzaga is at +800, Duke is more favored to win. Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on Duke at +500 and they win, you’ll get $600 back ($500 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on team performances throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.
Now, why do odds move in future markets? It's all about performance and perception. If a team starts performing better or worse than expected, their odds will shift. Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's chances and their odds. Changes in team dynamics, coaching, or even new player acquisitions can also affect odds. Public betting trends play a role too; if many people are betting on a particular team, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to manage their risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also sway public opinion and betting patterns. Understanding these factors helps you make smarter bets and potentially catch favorable odds shifts.
How to read March Madness odds
Reading March Madness odds is straightforward. Odds are typically shown in formats like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet. For instance, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600. Negative odds (e.g., -200) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $200 bet at -200 odds would win you $100, plus your $200 stake, totaling $300.
These odds also reflect the implied probability of a team winning the tournament. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher likelihood, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower likelihood. Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on various factors like team performance, injuries, coaching changes, and public betting patterns.
For example, if UConn has +500 odds and Alabama has +800 odds, UConn is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on UConn and they win, you’d get $600 back ($500 profit + $100 stake). Understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions and assess potential returns.
March Madness FAQs
Who is the March Madness 2025 favorite?
The UConn Huskies are the favorites to win the 2025 NCAA Tournament, with odds as short as +700. Those odds imply a win probability of 12.50%.
Who won March Madness last year?
UConn defeated the Purdue 75-60 to win the 2024 NCAA Tournament. That marked back-to-back victories for the Huskies.
When will March Madness be decided?
The 2025 national championship game will take place on Monday, April 7.
Where will March Madness be played?
The Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
March Madness betting odds pages
Here are our best March Madness betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
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