March Madness Odds 2025: Duke, Auburn Clear Favorites; Iowa State, Houston Trail
Led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, Duke sits atop the March Madness odds with the season at its midway point.
While the Blue Devils are the biggest favorites, they only have a slight lead over an Auburn team they defeated 84-78 on Dec. 4. Our March Madness betting sites see those two programs as the clear top two with Iowa State, Houston, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee in the next tier.
However, there's plenty of time left for the March Madness odds to be shaken up, especially with how loaded the SEC and Big 12 are this year.
March Madness odds 2025
March Madness odds from our best sports betting apps.
- Duke: Thanks to the play of Wooden Award odds favorite Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils are the March Madness odds favorite
- Auburn: If Flagg doesn't win the Wooden Award, it would likely go to the Tigers' Johni Broome, but he's dealing with an ankle injury that could impact Auburn down the stretch
- Iowa State: Led by Curtis Jones, Tamin Lipsey, and Keshon Gilbert, the Cyclones are as disruptive on defense as they are explosive on offense
- Houston: A defensive juggernaut, Kelvin Sampson once again has his team positioned to be in the race for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament
March Madness odds favorite 2025
Duke March Madness odds (+600)
Flagg is positioned to be just the fourth true freshman to win the Wooden Award. and the likely No. 1 pick in the NBA draft is seemingly getting better as the season goes on. 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 $60 profit if they win the title.
Best odds: +600 via bet365 | Implied probability: 14.29%
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Auburn March Madness odds (+650)
The top team by KenPom, Auburn could live and die by Broome's health this season. Arguably the best two-way player in the country, he's expected to miss a handful of games after injuring his ankle in a near upset loss to South Carolina.
Assuming Broome returns to form when he's back on the court, the Tigers are set to give Duke its biggest challenge. Beyond Broome, Auburn has five other players scoring in the double digits, including budding star Tahaad Pettiford and veteran Chad Baker Mazara. If those two can keep the ship afloat and Auburn keeps it up, a $10 winning bet on the Tigers pays a $65 profit.
Best odds: +650 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 13.33%
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Iowa State March Madness odds (+1400)
Under T.J. Otzelberger's guidance, Iowa State has become one of the most consistent teams in the country. The Cyclones are one of just two teams that rank top 10 in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency; Duke is the other.
With a rotation that goes eight deep and includes its sixth man, Jones, being the leading scorer, Iowa State is going to be a tough matchup in March. This veteran roster looks ready to take the next step and went toe-to-toe with Auburn in an 83-81 loss earlier this season. The Cyclones are definitely worth considering with a $10 winning bet paying a $140 profit.
Best odds: +1400 via Caesars | Implied probability: 6.67%
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My March Madness contender to watch
Alabama March Madness odds (+1600)
While Alabama is an inherently flawed team due to Nate Oats' prioritization of offense over defense, this roster is built to make a deep run in March. Last year it took a UConn team that was destined to win a second straight title to stop the Crimson Tide, well, the Huskies aren't looking like the same threat this year.
Led by All-American Mark Sears, Alabama is the highest-scoring team in the country (91.1 PPG) and has a plethora of players capable of popping off. Between Sears, Grant Nelson, Labaron Philon, and Aden Holloway, I like Alabama's chances of making noise when it matters most. And if they can take home a title, a $10 bet pays a $160 profit.
Best odds: +1600 via bet365 | Implied probability: 5.88%
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 are the favorites to win the 2025 NCAA Tournament with +600 odds. Those odds imply a win probability of 14.29%.
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
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Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
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