🏀 March Madness Odds 2026: Duke Falls Behind Michigan, Arizona After Siena Scare

After needing a comeback win against No. 16 seed Siena on the first day of the NCAA Tournament, Duke (+475) has slipped down the March Madness odds.

The Blue Devils trail Michigan (+400) and Arizona (+400) but remain the third-biggest favorite. Florida (+800) and Houston (+1100) are the other programs shorter than +2500 to take home the title.

📊 Live March Madness odds 2026

Our March Madness odds update in real time based on the latest college basketball odds from our best March Madness betting sites.

🎯 Ranking the No. 1 seeds: The clearest path to the Final Four

Check out the latest March Madness odds and Final Four odds.

The overall favorite: Michigan (+360)

Despite losing the Big Ten Tournament championship to Purdue and slipping behind Arizona in the selection committee's rankings, Michigan is the March Madness odds favorite. That's because the Wolverines have the clearest path to the Final Four.

Dusty May's team is in a Midwest region that includes several single-digit seeds that are susceptible to upsets (Alabama, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Kentucky) and the lowest-ranked No. 3 seed by KenPom (Virginia).

Though guard play remains a question, especially with the injury to L.J. Cason, Michigan's dominant frontcourt is capable of bullying its way to the Final Four in Indianapolis. There's also a realistic chance that Yaxel Lendeborg and Co. won't even have to play a high-major until the Elite Eight.

The most vulnerable No. 1 seed: Florida (+750)

Everyone's talking about the East region being loaded with blue bloods and legendary coaches, which it is, but I do not envy what the defending champions will need to deal with in the South. 

Todd Golden's Gators have the best No. 2 seed (Houston) and No. 3 seed (Illinois) in the bracket for my money. Kelvin Sampson's Cougars are one of five teams ranked in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, while the Fighting Illini are No. 1 in the country in offensive rating (125.5).

The South is also home to a Vanderbilt team that just beat Florida in the SEC Tournament, not to mention two potential March heroes. Iowa's Bennett Stirtz is one of three high-major players in the country averaging 20-plus PPG and 4.5-plus APG, while Troy's Victor Valdes has earned the nickname "Mexican Luka" for a reason.

- From my March Madness bracket reactions

🆚 March Madness first-round matchups & previews

Here is the first-round March Madness schedule, and our betting previews:

🏀 March Madness bracket previews: East | Midwest | West | South

🔢 March Madness opening odds

Odds via FanDuel.

• Duke: +1000
• Houston: +1200
• Louisville: +1400
• Purdue: +1400
• BYU: +1600
• Kansas: +1600
• Alabama: +1800
• Arkansas: +1800
• Auburn: +1800
• UConn: +1800
• Kentucky: +2000
• Florida: +2500
• Michigan: +2500
• St. John's: +2500
• Texas Tech: +2500
• Gonzaga: +3000
• Iowa State: +3000
• Tennessee: +3000
• UCLA: +3000
• Arizona: +3500
• Michigan State: +3500
• Baylor: +5000
• Creighton: +5000
• Indiana: +5000
• North Carolina: +5000

💰 March Madness odds history

❓March Madness FAQs

Who is the March Madness 2026 favorite?

Michigan and Arizona are the 2026 March Madness odds favorites. Their odds (+400) imply a 20% probability that one of them will win the NCAA Tournament, according to our odds calculator.

Who won March Madness last year?

Florida beat Houston 65-63 in the NCAA Championship to win its third national title in program history.

When is the national championship game?

The 2026 March Madness tournament began with Selection Sunday on March 15. The NCAA Championship will be played on Monday, April 6.

Where is the national championship game?

The Final Four and national championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.