March Madness Odds 2025: Duke, Auburn Pulling Away From Houston, Alabama
As the college basketball season hits its last few weeks before conference tournaments begin, two teams remain the clear March Madness odds favorites.
Both Duke and Auburn remain co-favorites at our March Madness betting sites, with neither program showing any signs of slowing down, thanks to the play of stars Cooper Flagg and Johni Broome.
Only four other programs - Houston, Alabama, Iowa State, Tennessee - have odds shorter than 20/1 to win the NCAA Tournament.
March Madness odds 2025
March Madness odds from our best sports betting apps.
- Duke: Thanks to Flagg's play as the overwhelming Wooden Award odds favorite, the Blue Devils should earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament
- Auburn: If Flagg doesn't win the Wooden Award, it would likely go to Broome, who has the Tigers projected for the top overall seed in March Madness, per Bracket Matrix
- Houston: A defensive juggernaut, Kelvin Sampson again has his team positioned to be in the race for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, even after an upset loss in OT to Texas Tech
- Alabama: The Crimson Tide have one of the scariest offenses in the country, helping hide their inconsistent defense
- Iowa State: After a hot first half of the season, the Cyclones have seen their odds lengthen after dropping three games in a row in Big 12 play
March Madness odds favorite 2025
Duke March Madness odds (+450)
Flagg is positioned to be just the fourth true freshman to win the Wooden Award and is expected to be the No. 1 pick by the NBA draft odds. That's why Duke is beginning to look like the team to beat and should be capable of earning the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
But what makes Jon Scheyer's team so dangerous is that it's not just Flagg carrying the load, as Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor are two of the best players in the ACC. In a down year for the conference, Duke is poised to finish strong and make a March run that could lead to a $10 bet paying a $45 profit if they win the title.
Best odds: +450 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 18.18%
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Auburn March Madness odds (+450)
The top-ranked offensive team by KenPom, Auburn survived while Broome was on the mend and now he's back in full force. Arguably the best two-way player in the country, he carried the Tigers to a win over a strong Tennessee team in his return to the court.
Assuming Broome keeps up his play down the stretch, the Tigers are set to give Duke its biggest challenge. Beyond Broome, Auburn has four other players scoring in the double digits, including budding star Tahaad Pettiford and veteran Chad Baker-Mazara. If those two continue to complement Broome and carry Bruce Pearl's team to a title, a $10 winning bet on the Tigers pays a $45 profit.
Best odds: +450 via Caesars | Implied probability: 18.18%
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Houston March Madness odds (+1000)
After a bit of a slow start to the season, Houston has locked in over the last two months. Sampson's squad showed it's ready to compete for a title when it went into Allen Fieldhouse and managed a 92-86 double-OT win against Kansas despite the Jayhawks having a 99% win probability with 21 seconds left in regulation.
The Cougars are top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency and have an eight-deep made up of fierce defenders and versatile scorers. With LJ Cryer and J'Wan Roberts leading the charge, the Cougars have a shot to win the NCAA Tournament, which would turn a $10 bet into a $100 profit.
Best odds: +1000 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 9.09%
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My March Madness contender to watch
Alabama March Madness odds (+1300)
Feeling confident in any team outside of Duke and Auburn is tough in a season that's clearly got two programs head and shoulders above the rest. However, Alabama is the third-best team in the country over the last few weeks, with impressive road wins over Kentucky and Mississippi State.
The Crimson Tide lead the country in PPG (90.2) and sit behind just Auburn in adjusted offensive efficiency thanks to a lineup that includes stars Mark Sears and Grant Nelson. If Nate Oats' offense can continue to cover for his defense, Alabama has a shot in March.
Best odds: +1300 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 7.14%
March Madness opening odds
March Madness opening odds via FanDuel.
- Duke: +1100
- Kansas: +1100
- UConn: +1200
- Houston: +1400
- North Carolina: +1600
- Kentucky: +1800
- Alabama: +2000
- Arizona: +2000
- Baylor: +2000
- Gonzaga: +2000
- Michigan State: +2500
- Purdue: +2500
- Tennessee: +2500
- Auburn: +3000
- Iowa State: +3000
- Texas: +3000
- Creighton: +3500
- Marquette: +3500
- Arkansas: +4000
March Madness odds history
| 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 Duke Blue Devils and Auburn Tigers are the co-favorites to win the 2025 NCAA Tournament with +450 odds. Those odds imply a win probability of 18.18%.
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 does March Madness start?
Selection Sunday is set for Sunday, March 16 with the first four being played on March 18 and 19. The first round of the NCAA Tournament will then be played March 20 and 21, followed by the second round on March 22 and 23.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight are the following week between March 27 and 30. The Final Four is on April 5 with the championship on April 7.
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
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- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
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