March Madness Odds 2025: Despite Recent Losses, Auburn and Duke Remain Favorites
Parity has defined this college basketball season, though two teams are clearly above the rest. And the March Madness odds didn't move much even with those two juggernaunts losing last week.
Auburn and Duke remain the two largest favorites at our March Madness betting sites thanks to Johnin Broome and Cooper Flagg being the two best players in the country. These two schools are so obviously the nation's best that the Tigers' loss to Florida and the Blue Devils' defeat to Clemson didn't shift the odds at all.
Only four other programs - Houston, Alabama, Iowa State, and Tennessee - are getting odds shorter than 20/1 to win the NCAA Tournament.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, we're making our early March Madness predictions.
March Madness odds 2025
March Madness odds from our best sports betting apps.
- Auburn: Even with Auburn's loss to the Gators, the Tigers are projected to be the top overall team in March Madness, per Bracket Matrix
- Duke: Despite the Blue Devils falling to Clemson, Flagg is still minus money by the Wooden Award odds, and Duke is one of only two teams to beat Auburn this season
- Houston: A defensive juggernaut, Kelvin Sampson again has his team positioned to be in the race for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, and it handled Baylor to bounce back from an OT loss to Texas Tech
- Alabama: The Crimson Tide boast one of the scariest offenses in the country, and they jumped to No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll
- Iowa State: After a hot first half of the season, the Cyclones have lost four Big 12 games since Jan. 18
March Madness odds favorites 2025
Auburn March Madness odds (+430)
The top-ranked offensive team according to 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, and a recent loss to Florida didn't even put a dent in these odds.
Assuming Broome keeps up his play down the stretch, the Tigers are set to give Flagg and Duke its most significant challenge. Beyond Broome, Auburn features four other players scoring in 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 $43 profit.
Best odds: +430 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 18.87%
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Duke March Madness odds (+450)
Flagg is positioned to become 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 was beginning to look like the team to beat before its loss to Clemson. But that shouldn't scare Blue Devils backers off, as Auburn and Duke are still firmly the best teams in the country.
What makes Jon Scheyer's squad so dangerous is that it's not just Flagg carrying the load, as Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor are two of the top ACC players. 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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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 bet365 | Implied probability: 9.09%
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My March Madness contender to watch
Alabama March Madness odds (+1200)
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, Mississippi State, and Arkansas.
The Crimson Tide lead the country in PPG (90.0) 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: +1200 via Caesars | Implied probability: 7.69%
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 Auburn Tigers are the favorites to win the 2025 NCAA Tournament with +430 odds. Those odds imply a win probability of 18.87%.
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: SBRBONUSDYW | 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
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
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Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
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