March Madness Predictions & Picks for Every NCAA Tournament Game

Last updated: April 2, 2025 2:06 PM EDT • 6 min read X Social Google News Link

Here, we'll be making our best March Madness predictions and national championship picks for the NCAA Tournament based on the top college basketball odds from our best March Madness betting sites.
There is no better time to be a college basketball bettor than during March Madness, when the entire sports world is focused on three weeks of unbridled chaos.
You can expect free college basketball picks from our expert staff all season long, but the action truly heats up with the NCAA Tournament and Final Four odds.
🏀 March Madness predictions, picks, full schedule
They call it the greatest three weeks in sports for a reason, and it's not just all those buzzer-beaters and crazy upsets.
Sure, those add to the excitement and mystique of the NCAA Tournament, but March Madness is also the perfect opportunity to lay down a few bucks on the most thrilling tournament in all of sports. It is an event known for shocking upsets and long-shot winners, which makes it accessible for veterans and newcomers alike.
Whether you're a regular sports bettor or simply looking for a way to profit off your best March Madness upset picks, we have you covered with our best picks and predictions for the Big Dance.
👉 Want AI-driven bracket insights? Check out our full March Madness AI bracket predictions with score predictions for every game.
March Madness national championship pick
Some college basketball bettors may be steering clear of picking No. 1 seeded Houston as a National Champion. The Cougars are suffering from a bad case of "Gonzaga-itis" these days, considering this is the fourth straight year they have earned a 1 or 2 seed but they have yet to win a National Title.
The case for Houston this year is that they are arguably the hottest team in the country, and that they have what appears to be the easiest path to San Antonio among No. 1 seeds.
The Cougars now have a 32-4 overall record after beating SIU Edwardsville and Purdue in the first and second rounds, respectively. Three of Houston's four losses came in November. Their lone loss in 2025 was an 82-81 overtime heartbreaker to Texas Tech.
The Cougars have the No. 1 ranked defensive team in the country and have routinely shown the ability to stifle top teams. Houston held BYU to just 54 points in the Big 12 Tournament two weeks ago. They did not allow an opponent to crack the 70-point mark in the 13 games prior to their 81-76 win over Gonzaga.
I like Kelvin Sampson to finally break through.
My National Champion pick: Houston
- Matt Burke

🗓️ 2025 March Madness schedule, key dates
Date | Round / Event |
---|---|
March 29-30 | Elite Eight |
April 5 | Final Four |
April 7 | National Championship Game |
Here is the Elite Eight schedule.
Saturday, March 29
- No. 1 Florida 84, No. 3 Texas Tech 79
- No. 1 Duke 85, No. 2 Alabama 65
Sunday, March 30
- No. 1 Houston vs. No. 2 Tennessee (2:20 p.m. ET, CBS)
- No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 2 Michigan State (5:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
💡 March Madness strategy, betting tips
The NCAA Tournament is one of the few sporting events on the calendar that welcome sharp bettors alongside those who have never watched sports in their life. In many ways, that's the beauty of March Madness and what makes it such a galvanizing event each year across the nation.
That said, there are ways to learn how to bet on college basketball and better prepare yourself for a profitable run through the tournament. As always, we're here to help you get a step ahead as you fill out your brackets and make your own March Madness picks and predictions.
Where can I make March Madness picks?
All of our best March Madness betting sites feature odds - and March Madness betting promos - for the NCAA Tournament. Those same books will also offer lines on the games in the following rounds within minutes of the matchups being set.
We'll also continue to preview every game of the NCAA Tournament, so be sure to check back here for all of our best college basketball picks.
What are the best March Madness bonuses?
We're committed to helping you get the most out of your college basketball bets, and that doesn't end with picks and predictions. In addition to previewing all 67 games of the NCAA Tournament, we've also rounded up all of the best sportsbook promos for March Madness from our best sports betting sites.
Always be sure to shop around for the best college basketball odds. Lines can move quickly with such a short turnaround between games during the NCAA Tournament. Getting the best possible odds from the best sportsbooks is one of the top ways to ensure a profitable run through March Madness.
How do you make March Madness predictions?
Our team at Sportsbook Review is dedicated to making smart, accurate predictions throughout the college basketball season, and not just for a few weeks in March and April.
That process includes closely following the top teams and dark-horse contenders during the regular season and studying each matchup. And breaking down all the March Madness trends and potential matchups that could define each region and ultimately the entire tournament.
For more on how to bet on March Madness, check out our guides on how to bet on college basketball and how to fill out a March Madness bracket.
🔢 March Madness betting history
Below is a look at March Madness betting history.
Year | Team | Preseason odds |
---|---|---|
2023-24 | UConn | +2000 |
2022-23 | UConn | +8000 |
2021-22 | Kansas | +1400 |
2020-21 | Baylor | +800 |
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
What are March Madness betting picks?
We'll be covering all 67 games throughout the tournament, all the way through the national championship game on April 7.
Who makes your March Madness predictions?
We pride ourselves on having a team full of college basketball betting experts who approach every game with detail in mind and a level of preparation that rivals anyone else in the industry.
That doesn't mean we're correct with every pick, of course, but we aim to provide the best possible information to make your March Madness picks better.
How many March Madness predictions will you make?
We'll be covering every single game during the NCAA Tournament with previews of all 67 March Madness contests and our best predictions and picks for the winners of each region and the tournament overall.
💰 March Madness betting odds pages
👑 Best March Madness betting sites
Ready to place your March Madness bets? Check out the best March Madness betting promos from our best March Madness betting sites, as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review.
- 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.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission

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