March Madness MVP Odds 2024: Newton Named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player

The NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award went to UConn's Tristen Newton, who had the fourth-shortest odds by the March Madness MVP odds from our best March Madness betting sites.

The NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award is given to the player who most influences his team's success. As you might expect, that honor almost always goes to the national champion's star.

Entering this year's men's national championship game between the Purdue Boilermakers (34-5) and the UConn Huskies (37-3), it was Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan atop the oddsboard. However, Huskies All-American Tristen Newton was named March Madness MVP after a strong performance in UConn's 75-60 win over Purdue. 

Newton was our top pick for the award in our March Madness MVP predictions while Edey was the popular name to win it after spending all season atop the Wooden Award odds. With the season over, we take a look at Newton's performance and how his odds stacked up at our best sports betting sites.

2024 March Madness MVP odds

(March Madness MVP odds updated April 7)

March Madness MVP odds analysis 

April 9, 2024: Heading into the men's national championship game, it was expected that the winning team's center would bring home the March Madness MVP. Had Purdue been able to upset UConn in the title game, it was a foregone conclusion that Edey would be crowned March Madness MVP. In six NCAA Tournament games, the 7-foot-4 Canadian averaged 29.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. However, the award hasn't gone to a player on a losing team in the NCAA Tournament in over 40 years. 

That's partially why Clingan was the favorite to win the award at four of our five best sports betting apps. The Huskies defensive anchor averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks during March Madness, but a quieter championship performance opened the door for Newton, UConn's best player all season, to win it.

Ahead of the Sweet 16, Newton's odds were the second shortest (+750) behind Edey (+600), and they only got shorter heading into the Elite Eight and Final Four (+400). But after two iffy scoring performances - a combined 17 points in those two rounds - Newton's odds lengthened to +700.

Yet Newton saved his best for last with 20 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in the national championship. That took his averages in the NCAA Tournament to 14.5 points, 7.2 assists, and four rebounds, and earned the senior the honor of Most Outstanding Player.

March Madness MVP history

If it seems like March Madness MVPs only come from teams that win the championship, you would be mostly right.

While it was a far more common practice for the tournament committee to honor the best player in the competition regardless of whether his team took home the title, that trend has long since faded. Here's a look at the list of NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Players since 2000 (the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic):

There hasn't been an NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player from a non-title team since 1983, when future No. 1 pick and Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Akeem Olajuwon took home the honor for a Houston Cougars team that fell to NC State in the title game.

March Madness MVP FAQs

Who won the March Madness MVP this year?

UConn's Tristen Newton won the award despite having odds as long as +700 heading into the men's national championship. He beat out Purdue's Zach Edey and UConn's Donovan Clingan, the favorites by the March Madness MVP odds.

Edey's odds were as low as +175, representing an implied probability of 36.36%, while Clingan's were as low as +170, representing an implied probability of 37.04%. Newton's +700 odds implied a 12.50% probability that he would win the award.

How is the March Madness MVP determined?

Media members choose the tournament's Most Outstanding Player following the completion of the championship game.

How can I bet on the March Madness MVP?

Sports betting sites have menus devoted to March Madness markets; simply access these markets via your sportsbook of choice, search for "March Madness MVP" (or "Most Outstanding Player"), select the player you wish to bet on, set your stake and send it through!

Who won last year's March Madness MVP?

Adama Sanogo was the 2023 March Madness MVP; he was listed at odds of +200 heading into the Final Four.

March Madness betting odds pages

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