March Madness Odds 2026: Houston, Purdue, Duke, UConn Early Favorites
Early in the season, brand-name basketball schools like Houston (+1100), Purdue (+1200), Duke (+1300), UConn (+1400), and Kentucky (+1600) remain atop the March Madness odds.
After opening the season as a +950 favorite to win March Madness, Purdue has seen its odds lengthen slightly, giving way to Houston for the top spot on the board. The Cougars are coming off a loss in last year's national title game to Florida, but Kelvin Sampson's team once again has a dominant defense led by JoJo Tugler. Meanwhile, despite losing most of its lineup to the NBA, Duke once again looks like a top team in college basketball thanks to freshman star Cameron Boozer living up to the hype early.
📊 Live March Madness odds 2026
Our March Madness odds update in real time based on the latest college basketball odds.
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🔢 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
| Year | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Florida | +6000 |
| 2023-24 | UConn | +2000 |
| 2022-23 | UConn | +8000 |
| 2021-22 | Kansas | +1400 |
| 2020-21 | Baylor | +800 |
| 2019-20 | Canceled | |
| 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 |
❓March Madness FAQs
Who is the March Madness 2026 favorite?
Houston is the 2026 March Madness odds favorite. The Cougars' odds (+1100) imply an 8.33% probability that they'll 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 will begin with Selection Sunday on Sunday, 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.
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