2025 March Madness Odds: UConn Favorite to Three-Peat; Kansas, Duke Just Behind

UConn sits as the favorite by the 2025 March Madness odds at our best March Madness betting sites after winning back-to-back titles.

The college basketball season is still months away, but we're beginning to get a better picture of what the 2024-25 season will look like now that the transfer portal has closed and the NBA draft withdrawal deadline has passed.

It's no surprise to see the UConn Huskies take the top spot on the oddsboard after winning the previous two NCAA Tournaments. Initially it looked like Dan Hurley might be in a transition year, however, he's reloaded his roster to make a run once again.

Other blue blood programs aren't far behind with the Kansas Jayhawks looking to bounce back with a roster built via the portal and the Duke Blue Devils welcoming No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg to the program. Many of the biggest brand name programs in college hoops look ready to make noise this season. 

To help with your 2025 March Madness predictions, here's a look at the early March Madness odds and our best college basketball picks to help with your March Madness predictions.

March Madness odds 2025

(Odds updated May 30)

Favorites to win 2025 March Madness

UConn (+1200 via bet365)

This past season, UConn became the first team to win back-to-back NCAA Tournament's since Florida in 2006 and 2007. But to win three in a row is an entirely different beast. The UCLA Bruins under John Wooden are the only team to ever three-peat, and they actually won seven in a row.

Can the Huskies join that rare air? It looked like Hurley's squad was 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're bringing in five-star recruit Liam McNeeley and return Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson, two key role players on last year's championship team.

Kansas (+1200 via bet365)

Last season didn't quite go as planned for Bill Self and Kansas. The Jayhawks opened the season ranked No. 1 after landing Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson via the portal. But injuries and inconsistency plagued Kansas all season before the team fell to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Despite the portal not paying dividends like Self hoped last season, he's once again built his team with transfers. Not only is Dickinson returning to the Jayhawks, but they're set to add Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State), AJ Storr (Wisconsin), and Rylan Griffen (Alabama). All three are expected to make a big impact. 

What's even scarier is that seniors KJ Adams Jr. and Dajuan Harris will be back, too. Kansas has one of the most experienced rosters in the country.

Duke (+1400 via Caesars)

After opening as the favorite to win the 2024-25 NCAA Tournament, Duke seen its odds slip slightly. It makes sense to see the Blue Devils fall behind more veteran teams in UConn and Kansas, especially after losing starters Jeremy Roach (Baylor) and Mark Mitchell (Missouri) in the portal.

Duke's ceiling this season, the third under Jon Scheyer, will be tied to how quickly Flagg can live up to the hype. He's the top recruit in the country and already projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

With four of the top five players from last year's team gone, Flagg will have every opportunity to be the go-to option at Duke as a freshman. Support around him will come from the Blue Devils lone returning starter, Tyrese Proctor, and transfers Sion James (Tulane), Mason Gillis (Purdue), and Maliq Brown (Syracuse). 

Where can I bet on March Madness?

March Madness odds are available in all legal and regulated U.S. sports betting states and at all of our best March Madness betting sites. Note that some stats will prohibit bettors from wagering on schools within that state. Others don't allow users to wager on player props for college sports.

Be sure to always check with your state's regulations.

What is March Madness?

March Madness captivates sports fans across the nation with its intense competition and electrifying atmosphere. This annual event, organized by the NCAA, features a single-elimination tournament that pits 68 of the best college basketball teams against each other in a quest for championship glory. The tournament unfolds over several weeks in March and April, culminating in the crowning of the NCAA Men's Basketball Champion.

What sets March Madness apart is its unpredictability and penchant for producing thrilling upsets and Cinderella stories. Teams from all corners of the country, representing a diverse array of conferences and backgrounds, converge on the court with dreams of cutting down the nets as champions.

From buzzer-beaters to nail-biting finishes, March Madness delivers unforgettable moments that captivate audiences and leave a lasting imprint on the annals of college basketball history.

March Madness odds explained

March Madness odds are a futures market with the odds for the next season's champion being released shortly before or after the conclusion of the current year's NCAA Tournament. In fact, 2025 March Madness odds have already been released at some sportsbooks, with more expected to come after Monday's title game.

The odds are then routinely adjusted over the course of that year. Coach hirings and firings impact the odds, as do player transfers and injuries. Once the regular season begins, player and team performance is reflected in the odds.

The better a team performs, the shorter its odds will become. For example, if North Carolina were to open at +2000 in a given year but then started 10-0, its odds would likely shorten to +1500. If the Tar Heels opened at +2000 but then started 0-10, their odds would likely lengthen to +5000 or higher. The lower the odds, the higher that team's implied probability of being the eventual winner in the futures market.

How to bet college basketball futures

To maximize your betting experience during March Madness, it's essential to adopt a strategic approach. Begin by immersing yourself in the intricate world of college basketball, meticulously analyzing each team's performance throughout the regular season and conference tournaments.

Once you've thoroughly researched the teams and assessed their strengths and weaknesses, it's time to explore the multitude of betting options available. From traditional moneyline bets to more exotic prop bets, sportsbooks offer a diverse array of wagering opportunities for March Madness enthusiasts. Consider placing bets on individual game outcomes, point spreads, or even futures bets on the tournament champion or March Madness MVP odds.

Past March Madness winners

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 +850. Those odds imply a win probability of 10.53%.

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
• BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers 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.

Related pages

• Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)