March Madness Odds 2025: UConn Favorite to 3-Peat with Dan Hurley Back
It would be a surprise to see any team other than UConn atop the March Madness odds across our best March Madness betting sites after the Huskies won back-to-back titles and retained Dan Hurley as head coach.
With Hurley reportedly turning down a six-year, $70 million deal from the Los Angeles Lakers, UConn gave their national championship-winning coach a six-year, $50 million extension.
But to become just the second program in college basketball history to three-peat, UConn must compete with some of the sport's most historically successful players.
Kansas and Duke have reloaded differently as they attempt to return titles to their programs. While the Jayhawks have utilized the transfer portal, the Blue Devils brought in Cooper Flagg, the country's No. 1 recruit.
And while Alabama isn't historically on the level of UConn, Duke, and Kansas, the Crimson Tide might have the best roster top to bottom in the country.
March Madness odds 2025
March Madness odds from our best sports betting apps as of July 29 | 🔥 = best odds | ❄️ = worst odds
| Team | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UConn | +900 | +1000 | +900 | +700 ❄️ | +1000 |
| Kansas | +1000 | +1000 | +975 ❄️ | +1200 🔥 | +1100 |
| Duke | +1000 | +1200 | +1100 | +900 ❄️ | +1200 |
| Alabama | +1100 | +1300 🔥 | +1200 | +1000 ❄️ | +1200 |
| North Carolina | +1600 | +2000 | +1700 | +2000 | +1600 |
| Houston | +1800 | +1600 | +1600 | +1800 | +1600 |
| Gonzaga | +1800 | +2000 | +2000 | +1800 | +2000 |
| Baylor | +2200 | +2000 | +2000 | +2500 🔥 | +2000 |
| Arkansas | +2200 ❄️ | +3000 🔥 | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Arizona | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 | +2200 | +2200 |
2025 March Madness favorites
UConn (+1000)
This past season, UConn became the first team to win back-to-back NCAA Tournaments since Florida in 2006 and 2007. But to win three in a row is an entirely different beast, and clearly one Hurley wants to conquer. The UCLA Bruins under John Wooden are the only team ever to three-peat, and they won seven in a row.
Can the Huskies join that rare air? It looked like Hurley's squad would be drained of its talent after two March Madness runs in a row, but then Alex Karaban opted to return to school rather than enter the NBA draft. Hurley also utilized the portal to bolster his roster.
UConn landed Saint Mary's sharpshooter Aidan Mahaney and Michigan big man Tarris Reed Jr. in the portal. To further justify the Huskies' top spot, they're bringing in five-star recruit Liam McNeeley and returning Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson, two key role players on last year's championship team.
If UConn manages to pull off the three-peat, a $10 bet on these odds pays an $100 profit.
Best odds: +1000 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 9.09%
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Kansas (+1200)
Last season didn't quite go as planned for Bill Self and Kansas. The Jayhawks opened the season ranked No. 1 after landing Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson via the portal. But injuries and inconsistency plagued Kansas all season before the team fell to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the portal not paying dividends like Self hoped last season, he's once again built his team with transfers. Not only is Dickinson returning to the Jayhawks, but they're set to add Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State), AJ Storr (Wisconsin), and Rylan Griffen (Alabama). All three are expected to make a big impact.
What's even scarier is that seniors KJ Adams Jr. and Dajuan Harris will be back, too. Kansas has one of the most experienced rosters in the country. A $10 winning bet on the Jayhawks pays an $120 profit.
Best odds: +1200 via Caesars | Implied probability: 7.69%
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Duke (+1200)
Duke has seen its odds slip slightly after opening as the favorite to win the 2024-25 NCAA Tournament. It makes sense to see the Blue Devils fall behind more veteran teams in UConn and Kansas, especially after losing starters Jeremy Roach (Baylor) and Mark Mitchell (Missouri) in the portal.
Duke's ceiling this season, the third under Jon Scheyer, will be tied to how quickly Flagg can live up to the hype. He's the top recruit in the country and is already projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
With four of the top five players from last year's team gone, Flagg will have every opportunity to be the go-to option at Duke as a freshman. Support around him will come from the Blue Devils' lone returning starter, Tyrese Proctor, and transfers Sion James (Tulane), Mason Gillis (Purdue), and Maliq Brown (Syracuse).
Best odds: +1200 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 7.69%
My March Madness team to watch
Alabama (+1300)
It says much about Kansas and Duke's roster reloads that they're both listed with shorter odds than Alabama. The Crimson Tide made it to the Final Four last year before falling to UConn, and they bring back the catalyst for that success.
Guard Mark Sears is returning for his senior season after putting up 21.5 points per game last year and shooting 43.6% from three. Joining him back in Tuscaloosa are Grant Nelson (11.9 PPG), Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (8.9 PPG), and Jarin Stevenson (5.3 PPG).
But what should put them over the top is the talent Nate Oats is bringing in. He added Pepperdine transfer Houston Mallette (14.7 PPG), USF transfer Chris Youngblood (15.3 PPG), Auburn transfer Aden Holloway (7.3), and five-star freshmen Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell.
A $10 winning bet on the Tide pays an $130 profit, and I expect this price to drop early in the season.
Best odds: +1300 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 7.14%
2025 March Madness odds over time
Latest odds via DraftKings.
| Team | Opening odds (April 9, 2024) | July 29, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Duke | +1100 | +1000 |
| Kansas | +1100 | +1000 |
| UConn | +1200 | +900 |
| Houston | +1400 | +1800 |
| North Carolina | +1600 | +1600 |
| Kentucky | +1800 | +2500 |
| Alabama | +2000 | +1100 |
| Arizona | +2000 | +2500 |
| Baylor | +2000 | +2200 |
| Gonzaga | +2000 | +1800 |
| Michigan State | +2500 | +5500 |
| Purdue | +2500 | +4000 |
| Tennessee | +2500 | +5000 |
| Auburn | +3000 | +3500 |
| Iowa State | +3000 | +3000 |
| Texas | +3000 | +6000 |
| Creighton | +3500 | +4500 |
| Marquette | +3500 | +5500 |
| Arkansas | +4000 | +2200 |
Past March Madness winners
| 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 UConn Huskies 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: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers 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.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
