March Madness Odds 2025: Duke, Auburn Favorites; UConn Tumbles After Maui Mishap
Feast Week didn't disappoint, with a wild amount of March Madness odds movement after back-to-back champion UConn went 0-3 at the Maui Invitational.
The Huskies were +850 not long ago, but their abysmal play in Maui has led to their odds being as long as +2000. As a result, Duke (+1200), Gonzaga (+1300), Alabama (+1500), and Kansas (+1500) sit atop the March Madness odds, with Auburn (+3000) the favorite at a few of our March Madness betting sites.
The college basketball season is about a month in and the chaos has already begun.
March Madness odds 2025
March Madness odds from our best sports betting apps.
- Duke (+1200): Thanks to the play of Wooden Award odds favorite Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils are the new March Madness odds favorite after UConn's poor performances
- Gonzaga (+1300): The Bulldogs have been steadily rising up the board from +1700 a few weeks ago to +1300
- Alabama (+1500): The Crimson Tide rebounded with a huge win over Houston after a loss to Purdue
- Kansas (+1500): The Jayhawks are getting longer odds than the Blue Devils, even after beating Duke on Nov. 26
- Auburn (+3000): The Tigers are as short as +900 at our best sports betting sites after dominating the Maui Invitational, leading to surprising value at this longer price
March Madness odds favorite 2025
Duke (+1200)
There was a ton of buzz around Duke entering the season after the addition of top recruit Cooper Flagg, who's a potential No. 1 NBA pick. While the Blue Devils did slip up against the Jayhawks, Jon Scheyer's team looks like one of the nation's best.
Flagg leads the Wooden Award odds and is a double-digit scoring machine with the playmaking feel to lead an offense, and the rebounding ability to dominate the glass. He's living up to the hype as the next great NBA prospect.
But it's not just Flagg who makes Duke the March Madness odds favorites. Fellow freshman phenom Kon Knueppel flanks him, and he's proven to be one of the more talented scorers in the ACC.
Plus, Scheyer can rely on veterans Tyrese Proctor and Maliq Brown to support his young lineup.
However, Duke getting odds this short feels off since the Blue Devils have already lost to Kansas and Kentucky.
While a $10 winning bet on Duke does still lead to a $120 profit, the Blue Devils haven't proven worthy of being the March Madness odds favorites yet. There are teams with more experienced lineups playing better right now and getting longer odds. Look to those schools for the best value.
Best odds: +1200 via Caesars | Implied probability: 7.69%
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My March Madness team to watch
Gonzaga (+1300)
Gonzaga and head coach Mark Few have been on a remarkable run.
After finishing No. 12 in KenPom with a Sweet 16 berth, the Bulldogs have now finished in the top 15 of the popular analytics site in eight straight seasons. They've also won at least two NCAA Tournament games in nine consecutive March Madness appearances.
Now the Zags bring back seven of their eight rotation players this season from the year prior. They also added an All-Conference player from their own league in Michael Ajayi, and a former 21-point-per-game scorer in Khalif Battle. Between the new additions, steady point guard Ryan Nembhard, and low post monster Graham Ike, this team is loaded offensively.
However, Gonzaga's defense could hamper the team's success this season, and that weakness factored into the Bulldogs' loss to West Virginia. Ike isn't a true rim protector, and the team lacks wing size to guard some of the NBA-ready prospects it may face deeper into the NCAA Tournament.
Still, Few has been around the block forever and is running out of time to pick up his illustrious March Madness title after finishing second twice. This squad has as good a chance as any to get the job done, and that showed during an 89-73 win against Indiana.
Most importantly for bettors, Gonzaga is reasonably priced given its skill level and how much talent the team brought back after a successful season last year.
Best odds: +1300 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 7.14%
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2025 March Madness odds over time
Latest odds via DraftKings.
| Team | Opening odds (April 9, 2024) | Oct. 31, 2024 | Nov. 29, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | +1100 | +900 | +1000 |
| Kansas | +1100 | +850 | +1400 |
| UConn | +1200 | +850 | +2000 |
| Houston | +1400 | +1500 | +1200 |
| North Carolina | +1600 | +2000 | +3500 |
| Kentucky | +1800 | +3500 | +2200 |
| Alabama | +2000 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Arizona | +2000 | +2500 | +4500 |
| Baylor | +2000 | +2000 | +4000 |
| Gonzaga | +2000 | +1700 | +1300 |
| Michigan State | +2500 | +5000 | +5500 |
| Purdue | +2500 | +4000 | +5000 |
| Tennessee | +2500 | +5000 | +2500 |
| Auburn | +3000 | +3000 | +1000 |
| Iowa State | +3000 | +2000 | +1800 |
| Texas | +3000 | +6000 | +7500 |
| Creighton | +3500 | +4000 | +5000 |
| Marquette | +3500 | +6000 | +4500 |
| Arkansas | +4000 | +2500 | +6000 |
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 are the favorites to win the 2025 NCAA Tournament, with odds as short as +700. Those odds imply a win probability of 12.50%.
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 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
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- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
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Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
