March Madness MVP Predictions & Picks 2024: NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player

Rob Paul

Last Updated: March 25, 2024 5:20 PM EDT • 3 min 54 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

Tristen Newton of the UConn Huskies drives against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Connecticut Huskies defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 76-63. We're backing Newton in our March Madness MVP predictions. — Tristen Newton of the UConn Huskies drives against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Connecticut Huskies defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 76-63. Photo by Conor Courtney/Getty Images via AFP.

The 2024 NCAA Tournament is here, and we're preparing with all you need to know to make your March Madness MVP predictions and picks by using the best March Madness MVP odds.

With the second round of the NCAA Tournament wrapped up, our best March Madness betting sites have odds for the 2024 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding player heading into the Sweet 16.

The top teams with the shortest March Madness odds and Final Four odds are taking the court and there are plenty of March Madness MVP options available. It'll almost certainly require a deep tournament run for any player to cash in this market, which has rewarded a title winner every year since 1983 - when Akeen Olajuwon won it for a Houston team that lost to NC State in the final.

As the Sweet 16 approaches, we're looking at the details surrounding the betting market as part of our March Madness predictions. Don't forget to check out our best 2024 March Madness MVP predictions and the March Madness MVP odds.

Our top 2024 March Madness MVP predictions

Name	Team	Position	Best odds
Tristen Newton	UConn	Guard	+1000 via FanDuel
Jamal Shead	Houston	Guard	+1100 via bet365
Donovan Clingan	UConn	Center	+650 via FanDuel
Dalton Knecht	Tennessee	Guard	+1600 via FanDuel
Zach Edey	Purdue	Center	+700 via bet365
RJ Davis	North Carolina	Guard	+1600 via FanDuel
Keshon Gilbert	Iowa State	Guard	+6500 via FanDuel
Terrence Shannon	Illinois	Guard	+4800 via FanDuel

Our favorite 2024 March Madness MVP predictions

Tristen Newton

Best odds: +1000 via FanDuel

For a player to win this award, his team almost always needs to take home the title. That's a key reason most of UConn's top players are within the top 20 shortest odds to win March Madness MVP. Believing that the Huskies can win the title, as their March Madness odds seem to get shorter each day, backing their best player would appear to be a smart option.

Tristen Newton is UConn's leader in points (15.3) and assists (6.2), and he's second in rebounds (6.8). He's the biggest reason the Huskies rank second in adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom, and put up 81.6 points per game. In the Huskies opening round win over Stetson, Newton showcased his scoring with 13 points and playmaking with eight assists while shooting 60% from three. He was even better in the second round against Northwestern with 20 points and 10 assists.

At +1100 odds, he doesn't even have the shortest odds on the team to win the award - that would be Donovan Clingan at +650 - so we like this value. A $10 bet on Newton would lead to a $100 profit if he's crowned March Madness MVP.

Jamal Shead

Best odds: +1100 via bet365

For the past few months, UConn has looked like the team to beat in college basketball and Houston has shown it might be one of the few teams capable of doing it. The Cougars sit just behind the Huskies in the Final Four odds and have arguably the best defense in the country. Led by Jamal Shead, Houston is second in adjusted defensive efficiency and first in points allowed per game (57.7).

While Shead doesn't have the same scoring output as some of the other March Madness MVP contenders, he's a playmaker who sets up his teammates. He averages 6.4 assists per game all while ranking No. 2 in the country in DBPR, per EvanMiya. In Houston's first round win over Longwood, Shead only had 11 points, but added nine assists and shot 62.5% from the floor. He followed that up with 21 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in the Cougars second round OT win over Texas A&M.

We're getting slightly longer odds on Shead at +1100 via bet365, but FanDuel's +1000 odds imply a 9.09% probability that he takes home the award, according to our odds calculator.

Past March Madness MVP winners

Year	Player	College	Title
2023	Adama Sanogo	Connecticut	✅
2022	Ochai Agbaji	Kansas	✅
2021	Jared Butler	Baylor	✅
2019	Kyle Guy	Virginia	✅
2018	Donte DiVincenzo	Villanova	✅
2017	Joel Berry II	North Carolina	✅
2016	Ryan Arciadacono	Villanova	✅
2015	Tyus Jones	Duke	✅
2014	Shabazz Napier	Connecticut	✅
2013	Luke Hancock	Louisville	✅
2012	Anthony Davis	Kentucky	✅
2011	Kemba Walker	Connecticut	✅
2010	Kyle Singler	Duke	✅
2009	Wayne Ellington	North Carolina	✅
2008	Mario Chalmers	Kansas	✅
2007	Corey Brewer	Florida	✅
2006	Joakim Noah	Florida	✅
2005	Sean May	North Carolina	✅
2004	Emeka Okafor	Connecticut	✅
2003	Carmelo Anthony	Syracuse	✅
2002	Juan Dixon	Maryland	✅
2001	Shane Battier	Duke	✅
2000	Mateen Cleaves	Michigan State	✅

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How to bet on the March Madness MVP

Betting on the March Madness Most Outstanding Player (MOP) award adds excitement to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Start by researching players' statistics, playing styles, and past performances to identify potential contenders. Look for futures bets specifically related to the MOP award and consider factors like a player's scoring ability and leadership qualities when making your selection. Compare odds across sportsbooks, analyze tournament schedules and matchups, and diversify your wagers responsibly to maximize your chances of success.

March Madness MVP FAQs

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

March Madness Odds	March Madness Picks	Final Four Odds	March Madness MVP Odds
March Madness Prop Bets	March Madness Upset Picks	March Madness Bracket Guide	March Madness Bracket Predictions
March Madness Bracket Challenge	March Madness betting promos

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Written By:
Rob Paul

A diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Rob's passion for the NFL led him to the NFL Draft, which in turn sparked his love for collegiate sports. Growing up, he was particularly obsessed with the old Big East, MAC, and the Big Ten. That obsession led him to pursue a career in sports media, first as a local reporter, and now as a betting analyst. There's nothing Rob loves more than spending hours on the couch watching college football/basketball, NFL, NBA, or MLB, and hopefully hitting a few bets.