Last week delivered a major turning point: the dream of a perfect bracket was officially shattered. When No. 6 Tennessee upset No. 4 Virginia in the tournament’s 44th game, the final remaining perfect brackets, once numbering in the tens of millions, were eliminated. It marked a defining moment that underscores the unpredictability and chaos that make March Madness so compelling.

With the field now narrowed and competition intensifying, bettors still have plenty of ways to get involved. Whether choosing game-by-game spreads, betting on futures, or exploring an array of player and team props, the action is far from over. As the tournament unfolds, strategic betting can transform the excitement of March Madness into real profit opportunities.

In the sections below, we’ll break down the key betting angles, odds, and strategies to help you make the most of the Sweet 16 and beyond.

Game line odds

One of the most popular and accessible ways to bet on March Madness is through game lines, which give bettors multiple angles to approach each matchup. These lines typically include three primary options: point spreads, moneylines (win bets), and totals (over/under). Each wager type comes with its own strategy and level of risk.

Point spread betting focuses on the margin of victory, requiring a team to win by a certain number of points, or stay within that margin if they’re the underdog. Moneyline bets are more straightforward, as you’re simply picking the outright winner of the game, though odds will vary depending on each team’s perceived strength. Totals betting, on the other hand, shifts the focus away from the winner entirely and instead challenges bettors to predict whether the combined score of both teams will go over or under a set number.

Below are the current game line odds from Bovada’s online sportsbook for the Sweet 16 matchups that are scheduled to be played on March 26th and 27th.

Texas (#11) vs. Purdue (#2) — Sweet 16

• Spread: Texas +7.0 (-110) / Purdue -7.0 (-110)
• Win: Texas +255 / Purdue -310
• Total: O149.5 (-105) / U149.5 (-115)

Iowa (#9) vs. Nebraska (#4) — Sweet 16

• Spread: Iowa +2.0 (-110) / Nebraska -2.0 (-110)
• Win: Iowa +110 / Nebraska -130
• Total: O134.5 (-110) / U134.5 (-110)

Arkansas (#4) vs. Arizona (#1) — Sweet 16

• Spread: Arkansas +8.0 (-115) / Arizona -8.0 (-105)
• Win: Arkansas +290 / Arizona -380
• Total: O168.5 (-105) / U168.5 (-115)

Illinois (#3) vs. Houston (#2) — Sweet 16

• Spread: Illinois +3.5 (-110) / Houston -3.5 (-110)
• Win: Illinois +145 / Houston -170
• Total: O140.0 (-110) / U140.0 (-110)

St. John’s (#5) vs. Duke (#1) — Sweet 16

• Spread: St. John’s +6.5 (-110) / Duke -6.5 (-110)
• Win: St. John’s +225 / Duke -275
• Total: O141.5 (-110) / U141.5 (-110)

Alabama (#4) vs. Michigan (#1) — Sweet 16

• Spread: Alabama +10.0 (-110) / Michigan -10.0 (-110)
• Win: Alabama +400 / Michigan -575
• Total: O174.0 (-110) / U174.0 (-110)

Michigan State (#3) vs. Connecticut (#2) — Sweet 16

• Spread: Michigan State +2.0 (-115) / UConn -2.0 (-105)
• Win: Michigan State +110 / UConn -130
• Total: O136.5 (-110) / U136.5 (-110)

Tennessee (#6) vs. Iowa State (#2) — Sweet 16

• Spread: Tennessee +4.0 (-110) / Iowa State -4.0 (-110)
• Win: Tennessee +160 / Iowa State -185
• Total: O139.0 (-110) / U139.0 (-110)

Futures Offer Bigger Payouts And Higher Risks

While game lines provide immediate results and quick payouts, futures bets require patience but often come with significantly larger rewards. Futures wagers are placed on outcomes that won’t be decided until later in the tournament—such as picking the team that will win the national championship, reach the Final Four, or even advance to a specific round.

Because these bets are made in advance and carry more uncertainty, sportsbooks typically offer higher odds, which can translate into bigger payouts for bettors willing to wait. This makes futures especially appealing for those who can identify undervalued teams early or anticipate momentum shifts as the tournament progresses.

Below are some of the futures available online with the sportsbooks we recommend at sportsbetting18.com.

National Champion

• Michigan (#1) +310
• Arizona (#1) +360
• Duke (#1) +400
• Houston (#2) +700
• Purdue (#2) +1300
• Illinois (#3) +1500

To Make the Final Four – East Region Winner

• Duke (#1) -110
• Connecticut (#2) +425
• St. John’s (#5) +425
• Michigan State (#3) +475

Sources:

• Bovada odds
• March Madness Bracket

The tournament field includes 68 teams, composed of conference champions and at-large selections chosen by the NCAA selection committee. Several programs barely made the bracket through the play-in round, while others narrowly missed out after mixed results late in the season.

The “First Four” matchups on March 17–18 will tip off the postseason College Basketball tournament, followed by round one on March 19th. Odds for the first four games are already posted at 18+ sportsbook sites.

Howard (#16) vs. MD Baltimore County (#16)

• Spread: +1.5 (-105), -1.5 (-115)
• Win: +105, -125
• Totals: O139.5 (-110), U139.5 (-110)

NC State (#11) vs. Texas (#11)

• Spread: +1.0 (-115), -1.0 (-105)
• Win: -110, -110
• Totals: O158.5 (-110), U158.5 (-110)

Lehigh (#16) vs. Prairie View A&M (#16)

• Spread: -3.5 (-105), +3.5 (-115)
• Win: -165, +140
• Totals: O143.0 (-110), U143.0 (-110)

SMU (#11) vs. Miami Ohio (#11)

• Spread: -7.0 (-115), +7.0 (-105)
• Win: -320, +260
• Totals: O163.5 (-110), U163.5 (-110)

Note: In addition to the first four game lines, you can also find game lines for the first round of the tournament and tournament futures.

March Madness 2026 Futures

When it comes to betting on the March Madness basketball tournament, most bettors are looking to fill the perfect bracket, and while those individual prediction competitions are fun, lots of people enjoy actually wagering on the futures as well.

While game lines include the money line, spread, and totals, futures are strictly betting on who will prevail. Popular futures include who will win the tournament, who will make the final four, the elite eight, and the sweet sixteen. Underdogs typically have positive odds (+) while the favorites have negative odds (-), making wagers on the favorite less profitable. Future odds

Below are the current future odds from Bovada. These odds will change daily as the action unfolds on the court.

National Champion

• Duke (#1)+325
• Michigan (#1)+325
• Arizona (#1)+400
• Florida (#1)+700
• Houston (#2)+950
• Illinois (#3)+1800
• Connecticut (#2)+2000
• Iowa State (#2)+2000
• Purdue (#2)+2500
• Gonzaga (#3)+4000
• Michigan State (#3)+5500
• Arkansas (#4)+6000

To Make the Final Four – East Region Winner

• Duke (#1)-135
• Connecticut (#2)+600
• Michigan State (#3)+700
• John’s (#5)+900
• Louisville (#6)+1300
• Kansas (#4)+1500

To Make the Final Four – South Region Winner

• Florida (#1)+160
• Houston (#2)+250
• Illinois (#3)+310
• Nebraska (#4)+1100
• Vanderbilt (#5)+1100

Note: On the women’s side, UCONN (-250) is heavily favored to win the tournament after going undefeated in the regular season. However, the tournament will pit them against the best of the best, day after day, so if they do prevail, their storybook season will be well deserved.

Can You Win Real Money Betting On College Basketball?

Online sportsbooks reviewed at Sportsbetting18.com offer real money wagers on the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments. While most options focus on game lines and futures, additional prop bets may appear as the tournament advances.

Regardless of the tournament or wager type, volatility is intrinsic to college basketball betting. Elite competitors still endure off nights, tough matchups, or momentum shifts that can upend expectations. The college setting intensifies this unpredictability, with younger athletes, emotional fans, and fast in-game changes making outcomes even less certain. Recognizing these factors, seasoned bettors approach college sports with strategy, respect, and caution—knowing that talent alone does not guarantee predictability.

Sources:

• Bovada (Odds)
• CNN.com
• March Madness Bracket

Two games will tip off this year’s March Madness Tournament tomorrow at 1:00 PM. The winners will be selected among the final 64 teams competing for the 2025 College Basketball National Championship.

The North Carolina Tarheels have hoisted multiple tournament titles but barely qualified as an 11 seed this year. Only four ACC programs made it to March Madness: the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils, the Clemson Tigers (#5), the Louisville Cardinals (#8), and North Carolina.

The Tarheels are favored by four tomorrow, and Alabama State is also projected to move on to the first round.

North Carolina (#11) vs. San Diego State (#11)

• Spread: NC -4.0 (-120), SD +4.0 (EVEN)
• Moneyline: NC -195, SD +165
• Over: 142.0 (-110)
• Under: 142.0 (-110)

St. Francis PA (#16) vs. Alabama State (#16)

• Spread: SF +3.5 (-110), AS -3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: SF +140, AS -165
• Over: 140.0 (-110)
• Under: 140.0 (-110)

Wednesday at 1:00 PM, two more First Four games will begin. College basketball betting sites suggest that American will narrowly get beyond Mount St. Mary’s.

Mount St. Mary’s MD (#16) vs. American (#16)

• Spread: MSM +2.5 (-115), American -2.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: MSM +120, American -140
• Over: 129.0 (-110)
• Under: 129.0 (-110)

Neither Xavier nor Texas has ever won a college basketball national championship, but both programs routinely qualify for the tournament. This combination of elite ball clubs will bring attention not normally granted to a first four match-up.

Xavier (#11) vs. Texas (#11)

• Spread: Xavier -3.0 (-110), TX +3.0 (-110)
• Moneyline: Xavier -150, TX +130
• Over: 149.5 (-110)
• Under: 149.5 (-110)

Who Will Win March Madness?

When perusing the March Madness futures for this year’s tourney, the ranking for potential winners falls mainly in line with the seeding. The first program to break the trend is the Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona is a four-seed but rates eighth overall, according to the latest tournament odds. The Wildcats won the tournament in 1997 and made it to the finals in 2001.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the UConn Huskies are two more outliers, both eight seeds. Gonzaga has made it to the field of 64 every season since 1999 and has lost in the finals twice.

UConn won the last two national championships in a row but wasn’t as dominant on the hardcourt this season.

National Championship Odds For March Madness 2025

• Duke (#1) +300
• Florida (#1) +350
• Auburn (#1) +400
• Houston (#1) +700
• Alabama (#2) +1600
• Tennessee (#2) +1600
• St. John’s (#2) +2000
• Arizona (#4) +2500
• Michigan State (#2) +2500
• Texas Tech (#3) +2800
• Gonzaga (#8) +3300
• Iowa State (#3) +4000
• Connecticut (#8) +5000
• Illinois (#6) +5000
• Kentucky (#3) +5000
• Maryland (#4) +5000
• Wisconsin (#3) +5000
• Kansas (#7) +6600
• Missouri (#6) +6600
• Purdue (#4) +6600
• Clemson (#5) +7500
• Texas A&M (#4) +8000
• BYU (#6) +10000
• Louisville (#8) +10000
• Memphis (#5) +10000
• Mississippi (#6) +10000
• Saint Mary’s CA (#7) +10000
• Michigan (#5) +12500
• UCLA (#7) +12500
• Marquette (#7) +15000
• Baylor (#9) +17500
• Creighton (#9) +20000
• Mississippi State (#8) +20000
• Virginia Commonwealth (#11) +20000
• Drake (#11) +25000
• Georgia (#9) +25000
• New Mexico (#10) +25000
• North Carolina (#11) +25000
• Oregon (#5) +25000
• San Diego State (#11) +25000
• Oklahoma (#9) +30000
• UC San Diego (#12) +30000
• Arkansas (#10) +75000
• Akron (#13) +100000
• Alabama State (#16) +100000
• American (#16) +100000
• Bryant (#15) +100000
• Colorado State (#12) +100000
• Grand Canyon (#13) +100000
• High Point (#13) +100000
• Liberty (#12) +100000
• Lipscomb (#14) +100000
• McNeese State (#12) +100000
• Montana (#14) +100000
• Mount St. Mary’s MD (#16) +100000
• NC Wilmington (#14) +100000
• Nebraska Omaha (#15) +100000
• Norfolk State (#16) +100000
• Robert Morris (#15) +100000
• SIU Edwardsville (#16) +100000
• St. Francis PA (#16) +100000
• Texas (#11) +100000
• Troy (#14) +100000
• Utah State (#10) +100000
• Vanderbilt (#10) +100000
• Wofford (#15) +100000
• Xavier (#11) +100000
• Yale (#13) +100000

One of the most surprising programs to qualify for the field is the St. John’s Red Storm. They haven’t made it into the tournament since 2019, but this year, under head coach Rick Pitino, they are a 2-seed.

Despite their high seed, 18+ sportsbooks have placed a +2000 moneyline on the Red Storm’s chances of winning the tourney.

The SEC has set the record for most teams in the tournament at 14, breaking the previous mark set by the Big East in 2011 with 11 teams.

Bovada Sportsbook – Sports Illustrated

Pre-purchases are open now, with the final deadline for submitting an entry set at 12:15 p.m. on March 20th. Selection Sunday is this weekend, so participants cannot begin making their picks until 9 p.m. that same evening.

Picks can be altered up until the 12:30 p.m. EST deadline on March 20th.

Existing BetOnline members can enter the contest up to 20 times. The cost per entry decreases as you reach preset thresholds. The first entry is $20, entries two and three are $15 each, 4-10 are $10 each, and 11-20 are $5 each.

How To Play

Contestants are required to select the winners of all 63 games in the March Madness Tournament. There is an additional tie-breaker question in case two participants end up with the same number of points at the end of the tourney, which asks the total points scored in the championship game.

Points will be awarded for each correct pick based on the following schedule:

Point System

• 1 point for every correct selection in the 1st Round
• 2 points for every correct selection in the 2nd Round
• 4 points for every correct selection in the Sweet 16
• 8 points for every correct selection in the Elite 8
• 16 points for every correct selection in the Final Four
• 32 points for picking the winner of the Championship Game

The contest’s prize pool totals $200,000 cash, with $50,000 being awarded to the top finisher. If more than $200,000 in cash entries are accepted at BOL, the additional funds will be added to the total prize pool.

Cash prizes do not feature any playthrough conditions and can be withdrawn immediately upon placement in the winners’ accounts.

Here is how the prize pool is broken down among the top 1,250 finishers:

Prize Pool

• 1st – $50,000
• 2nd – $25,000
• 3rd – $10,000
• 4th – $5,000
• 5th – $4,000
• 6th – $3,000
• 7th – $2,500
• 8th – $1,750
• 9th – $1,250
• 10th – $1,000
• 11th – 15th $800
• 16th – 20th $500
• 21st – 30th $400
• 31st – 40th $320
• 41st – 50th $280
• 51st – 75th $240
• 76th – 100th $200
• 101st – 150th $160
• 151st – 200th $120
• 201st – 400th $80
• 401st – 700th $60
• 701st – 1,000th $45
• 1,001st – 1,250th $30

For any ties that occur following the tie-breaker, the total cash winnings will be split along with the next lowest prize.

For example, if two players finish tied for first, the first and second-place prizes will be combined and split between them.

Here are the latest futures offered by the top college basketball sportsbooks for the tournament.

2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Winner

• Duke +325
• Auburn +375
• Florida +700
• Houston +800
• Alabama +1100
• Tennessee +1600
• Saint Johns +2200
• Michigan State +2000
• Iowa State +2500
• Texas Tech +3500
• Kentucky +4000
• Maryland +4000
• Texas A&M +5000
• Arizona +5000
• UConn +5000
• Gonzaga +5000
• Wisconsin +5000
• BYU +6500
• Kansas +6500
• Missouri +6500
• Clemson +6500
• Purdue +8000
• Illinois +8000

Alabama Crimson Tide (#4) vs. North Carolina Tarheels (#1)

• Spread: Alabama +3.5, North Carolina -3.5
• Moneyline Odds To Win: Alabama +155, North Carolina -180
• Over/Under: 173.5
• Odds To Win March Madness: Alabama +4000 (13th), North Carolina +1000 (5th)
• 7:00 PM

The winner of this SEC vs. ACC battle will face the victor between Clemson and Arizona in the Elite 8. March Madness betting sites are favoring the Tarheels to beat the Crimson Tide. North Carolina is the only Atlantic Coast Conference team that is favored to win in the Round of 16.

Clemson Tigers (#6) vs. Arizona Wildcats (#2)

• Spread: Tigers +7.5, Wildcats -7.5
• Moneyline Odds To Win: Tigers +265, Wildcats -330
• Over/Under: 151.5
• Odds To Win March Madness: Tigers +9000 (15th), Wildcats +800 (4th)
• 7:00 PM

The Clemson Tigers are a 7.5-point underdog to Arizona, suggesting that the Wildcats will advance to the next round and play the winner of the NC vs. AL game. Arizona has the fourth-best overall odds in the current March Madness futures, suggesting they’ve got a solid shot at making the Final Four.

Illinois Fighting Illini (#3) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (#2)

• Spread: Illinois +1.5, Iowa State -1.5
• Moneyline Odds To Win: Illinois +105, Iowa State -125
• Over/Under: 146.5
• Odds To Win March Madness: Illinois +3000 (12th), Iowa State +2000 (8th)
• 7:00 PM

This game has the tightest point spread on the board, currently set at 1.5 points in favor of the Cyclones at 18+ college basketball betting sites. This contest could go either way, and the winner will face whoever comes out on top between UConn and San Diego State.

San Diego State Aztecs (#5) vs. Connecticut Huskies (#1)

• Spread: San Diego +11.0, UConn -11.0
• Moneyline Odds To Win: San Diego +430, UConn -625
• Over/Under: 136.0
• Odds To Win March Madness: San Diego +7500 (14th), UConn +200 (1st)
• 7:39 PM

The final game of night one features the most lopsided spread in the Sweet Sixteen, as UConn holds an 11-point advantage. The Aztecs are no slouch, but the Huskies appear poised for a repeat National Championship run.

NC State Wolfpack (#11) vs. Marquette Golden Eagles (#2)

• Spread: Wolfpack +6.5, Marquette -6.5
• Moneyline Odds To Win: Wolfpack +240, Marquette -290
• Over/Under: 151.0
• Odds To Win March Madness: Wolfpack +9000 (16th), Marquette +1600 (7th)
• 12:00 PM

The first game on the docket this Friday tips off at noon and features the lowest-remaining seed on the board, the #11 NC State Wolfpack. Online 18+ sportsbooks aren’t giving NC State much of a chance against Marquette, as they are 6.5-point underdogs on Friday.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (#5) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (#1)

• Spread: Gonzaga +5.5, Purdue -5.5
• Moneyline Odds To Win: Gonzaga +195, Purdue -235
• Over/Under: 154.0
• Odds To Win March Madness: Gonzaga +2200 (9th), Purdue +650 (3rd)
• 3:00 PM

The Purdue Boilermakers are the third overall favored team to win March Madness. First, they have to get past the Gonzaga Bulldogs, who have made it to the Sweet 16 for the past nine years. Think twice before betting on the Bulldogs to lose.

Creighton Bluejays (#3) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (#2)

• Spread: Creighton +3.0, Tennessee -3.0
• Moneyline Odds To Win: Creighton +140, Tennesssee -165
• Over/Under: 144.0
• Odds To Win March Madness: Creighton +2500 (10th), Tennessee +1100 (6th)
• 7:00 PM

This Creighton and Tennesse matchup will send one team to the Elite Eight to play the winner of the Gonzaga Purdue game. The next contest is probably why neither team is featured in the top five in the March Madness odds to win it all.

Duke Blue Devils (#4) vs. Houston Cougars (#1)

• Spread: Duke +4.0, Houston -4.0
• Moneyline Odds To Win: Duke +160, Houston -185
• Over/Under: 134.0
• Odds To Win March Madness: Duke +2500 (11th), Houston +500 (2nd)
• 9:40 PM

The final game of the Sweet 16 features a nuclear-hot Duke Blue Devils team poised to take out the Houston Cougars, the No. 1 seed in the South. Consider betting on Duke to cover because this game will likely go down to the wire.

Bovada Sportsbook (Bovada 18+ Betting Site Review) | Official 2024 NCAA Live March Madness Bracket

Odds for March Madness betting are now taking action at online 18+ sportsbooks. First up tonight at 6:40 PM on TruTV is a matchup of potential 16 seeds.

Wagner Seahawks (#16) vs. Howard Bison (#16)

• Point Spread: Wagner +3.5, Howard -3.5
• Moneyline: Wagner +150, Howard -175
• Over/Under: 128.5

The Bison are slight favorites to win and secure the 16th seed in the West bracket. The winner will face the number one North Carolina Tarheels this Thursday.

Tipping off at 9:10 PM tonight on TruTV is a battle between the ACC and the Mountain West conferences.

Colorado State Rams (#10) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (#10)

• Point Spread: Colorado State -3.0, Virginia +3.0
• Moneyline: Colorado State -160, Virginia +135
• Over/Under: 121.0

18-friendly college basketball betting sites suggest that the Rams will win by a three-pointer and earn the 10-seed in the Midwest bracket. The winner will face the 7-seed Texas Longhorns on Thursday (TNT).

Tomorrow at 6:40 PM on TruTV, another 16 vs. 16 matchup is on tap.

Grambling Tigers (#16) vs Montana State Bobcats (#16)

• Point Spread: Grambling +3.5, Montana State -3.5
• Moneyline: Grambling +150, Montana State -175
• Over/Under: 135.0

Grambling State is a 3.5-point underdog to the Bobcats. What makes the tournament so fun is that one of these small schools will become the 16-seed in the Midwest bracket and have a chance to knock off the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday (TNT).

Wrapping up the First Four tomorrow night at 9:10 PM is a 10 v. 10 contest that will secure the final remaining spot in the Round of 64.

Colorado Buffaloes (#10) vs. Boise State Broncos (#10)

• Point Spread: Colorado -2.5, Boise State +2.5
• Moneyline: Colorado -145, Boise State +125
• Over/Under: 140.0

Once again, another tightly contested matchup has been projected by online NCAAB sportsbooks. The victor will play the 7th seed in the South bracket, the Florida Gators.

For gamblers ready to bet on the winner of March Madness, college basketball futures present an opportunity for a massive payday, as long as their wager is correct.

2024 March Madness Championship Odds

• Connecticut (#1) +400
• Houston (#1) +500
• Purdue (#1) +650
• Arizona (#2) +1200
• North Carolina (#1) +1200
• Tennessee (#2) +1400
• Auburn (#4) +1500
• Kentucky (#3) +1700
• Iowa State (#2) +2000
• Marquette (#2) +2000
• Creighton (#3) +2500
• Illinois (#3) +3000
• Baylor (#3) +3500
• Duke (#4) +3500
• Alabama (#4) +4000
• Kansas (#4) +5000

We’ve included the top 16 teams in the March Madness futures above. Among those 16 schools, none are seeded below 4. The defending national champions, the UConn Huskies, have the best odds to win.

Five of the top five teams listed are 1 seeds. This suggests that 2024 will not be a repeat of last year when all Final Four teams were seeded four or lower.

March Madness odds will remain posted at the sites included in our 18+ sportsbook reviews until the championship game on April 8th.

Bovada Sportsbook (Bovada Review), The Official Website Of NCAA Athletics

Three out of four of the top seeds have advanced to the Round of 32. The Purdue Boilermakers are the number one seed in the East bracket and will play the 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson Knights today at 6:50 PM.

The Houston Cougars are still the highest-rated team in the NCAAB futures at online March Madness sportsbooks, with the Alabama Crimson Tide coming in at a close second place.

2023 NCAA DI Mens Basketball Tournament Odds

• Houston (#1) +450
• Alabama (#1) +500
• Kansas (#1) +1000
• Purdue (#1) +1000
• UCLA (#2) +1000
• Gonzaga (#3) +1400
• Connecticut (#4) +1600
• Baylor (#3) +1800
• Duke (#5) +1800
• Marquette (#2) +2000
• Creighton (#6) +2500
• Kentucky (#6) +3300

March Madness is all about the little guy upsetting juggernaut institutions, but the odds suggest that each 1 seed will advance to the Final Four at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.

Today’s Potential March Madness Upsets

18 and over college basketball betting sites have posted game lines for all 16 games going down today. While point spreads indicate that the higher seeds will be victorious, the following matchups have massive upset potential that can benefit your bracket and your wallet.

Drake (#12) vs. Miami Florida (#5)

• Drake Point Spread: +2.0
• Drake Money Line: +110
• Miami Point Spread: -2.0
• Miami Money Line: -130
• Over/Under: 146.0
• 7:25 PM

The Miami Hurricanes finished at the top of the regular season standings of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), one of the top college basketball conferences in the United States.

Miami lost in the ACC Tournament semifinals to the eventual champion Duke Blue Devils. Now, the Hurricanes are favored by 2 against the #12 Drake Bulldogs of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Drake is red hot after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and earning the automatic postseason bid that comes with it. Look for the Bulldogs to upset Miami this evening.

Kent State (#13) vs. Indiana (#4)

• Kent State Point Spread: +4.5
• Kent State Money Line: +165
• Indiana Point Spread: -4.5
• Indiana Money Line: -195
• Over/Under: 140.5
• 9:55 PM

A bet of $1 on the Kent State Golden Flashes will win payouts of $2.65 if they are able to best the Indiana Hoosiers tonight. The Golden Flashes won the MAC Tournament and have a legitimate shot at beating the Hoosiers.

Indiana finished with a 22-11 record and could be the second 4 seed to bow out early in 2023.

2023 March Madness Prop Bets

The sites that rank highly among our 18-friendly sportsbook reviews have posted a few college basketball prop bets that suggest a few lower seeds will be victorious today.

Number Of 9-16 Seeds to win on Day 2 of the Round of 64

• Over 4.5 -115
• Under 4.5 -115

While upwards of 4 of Day 2’s 32 lower seeds are projected to advance, the following March Madness prop implies that the teams seeded 14 through 16 have little chance of success.

Will A 14 Seed Win A Game in the Round of 64

• Yes +105
• No -135

However, keep in mind that Princeton is a 15 seed, and they were able to oust the number-two Arizona Wildcats yesterday.

Lastly, if you intend to bet on March Madness today or before the tournament ends, be sure to place your wagers with a sportsbook that is featured here for 18 and over gamblers.

NCAA.com, ESPN, Bovada.LV – Bovada Sportsbook Review

The Betting Begins

The commotion kicked off this weekend on Selection Sunday. Several sportsbooks opened their bracket contests that evening, inviting bettors to take their best shot at predictions for all 63 games in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament.

Though it may seem like a long shot, it’s one of the most popular contests of the year. Because bettors can place multiple entries, with bids starting as low as $10, your chances of winning are as great as you make them.

Plus, you don’t even have to get all your predictions right to win! Most March Madness brackets are graded on a points system that prioritizes late-stage games over early matches.

The quality of the grand prizes varies depending on which operator you choose to purchase your bracket entries with. Some 18+ mobile sportsbooks have crypto rewards posted alongside cash prizes.

Stack Your Assets

Other sportsbooks have taken it a step further and are giving away NFTs as a part of the contest. MyBookie, for example, is offering 1 Bitcoin to its first-place winner and an NFT titled Doodle #9432 to its runner-up. You can see what the image looks like below:

The NFT is on the Ethereum blockchain and was last sold for 17.5 ETH. At today’s market price for ETH, the exchange was worth about $45,366. It’s quite ironic that Doodle #9432 is the reward for the runner-up, especially given that the price of 1 Bitcoin is about $39,319.

Comparatively, the second-place prize is of higher value than the first. But that’s beside the point.

March Madness is bound to be one of the most wagered events in history. The increase in both offshore and domestic betting interest has translated to monumental growth for the budding industry.

An estimated 36.5 million Americans are projected to engage in bracket betting during the NCAA Tournament. Between domestic and offshore operators, bettors are expected to wager upwards of $3 billion on the event.

Getting In On The Games

Most sportsbooks will close their bracket entry pages for 18+ college basketball betting by March 17th, if not sooner. If you plan on being a part of the action, you gotta get your bracket in ASAP!

If brackets aren’t your vibe, individual game lines are still very much alive. Round 1 is quickly approaching, but the NCAA’s First Four matches kick off tonight! Check out the odds below:

First Four Odds – 03/15

• Point Spread: Texas A&M Corpus Christi (#16) +3.5, Texas Southern (#16) -3.5
• Money Line: Texas A&M Corpus Christi (#16) +140, Texas Southern (#16) -165
• Total Points: 135.5

First Four Odds – 03/15

• Point Spread: Indiana (#12) -4.0, Wyoming (#12) +4.0
• Money Line: Indiana (#12) -195, Wyoming (#12) +165
• Total Points: 132.5

First Four Odds – 03/16

• Point Spread: Bryant (#16) +3.5, Wright State (#16) -3.5
• Money Line: Bryant (#16) +140, Wright State (#16) -165
• Total Points: 155.0

First Four Odds – 03/16

• Point Spread: Notre Dame (#11) -1.0, Rutgers (#11) +1.0
• Money Line: Notre Dame (#11) -115, Rutgers (#11) -105
• Total Points: 132.0

Odds Courtesy of MyBookie

Source: CBS News

The 2021 March Madness tournament has already produced several surprises along the way, but many bracket bettors picked Gonzaga and Baylor to end up in the final game. Both Baylor and Gonzaga had impeccable season records going into the tournament, with Gonzaga remaining unbeaten.

The final four produced some of the most exciting basketball of the year, with Gonzaga fending off UCLA in the last seconds of overtime (93-90). The game also produced the only buzzer-beater of the tournament.

Baylor had an easier path to the Finals beating Houston 78-59 in the final four rounds. However, Baylor also had to defeat Villanova (5) and Arkansas (3) to earn a finals spot.

Betting on college basketball under the age of 21 is legal when bettors use the proper source. In many cases, the source is 18+ online sportsbooks that accept U.S. bettors. Online sportsbooks offer a plethora of odds for the tournament and the March Madness finals. Below are the Spread, Moneyline, and Total odds for the big game from Bovada’s Online Sportsbook.

March Madness Finals Odds:

Baylor (#1) +4.5 (-115) | +165 | O159.0 (-110)
Gonzaga (#1) -4.5 (-105) | -190 | U159.0 (-110)

Several sports betting states also allow bettors over the age of 18, but most state-regulated sports betting facilities only allow bettors over 21. To date, there are 21 states and Washington D.C. that allow sports betting through domestic services.

Online you will find odds, bonus options, and U.S.-friendly deposit methods, including cryptocurrencies to fund an account. Other services are included with user accounts such as casino gambling, horse race betting, and poker play.

Whether you decide to bet on the game or watch from home, we all hope to see one hell of a battle on the court. The March Madness Finals will air on CBS at 9:20 pm (EST.) on Monday, April 5th, 2021.

NCAAB Conference odds narrow down the options when compared to March Madness futures and thus provides good value to new and experienced basketball bettors alike. When betting on March Madness, most basketball fans typically think of bracket betting, but online futures and game lines are king.

Despite playing a full season, this year feels slightly different after March Madness was completely canceled in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. This year has also started rough for several teams who usually find themselves in the elite 8 including Duke, and North Carolina. 

Below we discuss Conference tournament odds and provide some insight into why oddsmakers favor certain teams over others when betting on College Basketball. 

ACC Championship

Two of the strongest teams in the ACC are not looking too hot this year. Duke is currently sitting near the bottom of the ACC Conference with an 11-11 record. North Carolina is doing a little better at 16-9, but they are not as strong as they use to be. 

Despite Duke and NC’s weak attempt at a National Championship, the ACC in itself isn’t that strong this year. Florida State is favored to win the tournament, but most game fans will probably bet on Virginia. 

ACC Conference Winner: 

• Florida State +225
• Virginia +245
• North Carolina +450
• Louisville +700
• Virginia Tech +700
• Georgia Tech +1000
• Duke +1600
• Clemson +2000
• Syracuse +5000
• Pittsburgh +6600
• Notre Dame +7500
• NC State +8000
• Miami (FL) +20000
• Boston College +25000
• Wake Forest +25000

Big East Championship

In the Big East, Villanova has been strong in recent years, but oddsmakers indicate they sense an upset in the upcoming tournament by favoring Creighton and Connecticut over the Wildcats. 

While Villanova could very well win out and find themselves in the final four, they are not having the same kind of year they were having a few years back. 

Big East Conference Winner:

• Villanova +275
• Creighton +175
• Connecticut +190
• Xavier +450
• Seton Hall +750
• St. John’s +1800
• Providence +3000
• Marquette +5500
• Georgetown +6000
• Butler +5000
• DePaul +30000

Big 10 Championship

Michigan has been leading the Big 10 for the ladder part of the season, and oddsmakers also see their potential by favoring the Wolverines to win the Big 10 Championship. As for winning the 2021 National Championship, that will be a hard mountain for the Wolverines to climb, but they have one of their best seasons in the past few years.

Big 10 Conference Winner:

• Michigan +165
• Ohio State +650
• Illinois +333
• Iowa +400
• Wisconsin +1000
• Purdue +475
• Minnesota +10000
• Indiana +6000
• Michigan State +3300
• Maryland +5500
• Penn State +20000
• Northwestern +12500
• Nebraska +50000

SEC Championship

The SEC is known for producing strong teams with a shot at the National Championship, but this year might be different as Alabama is favored to win the SEC Tournament. Traditionally, Kentucky has been a powerhouse, but the pendulum has begun to swing to other SEC schools in recent years.

As for winning, advancing to the elite 8 or further, I would not have Alabama in my bracket, but anything technically could happen. 

SEC Conference Winner

• Alabama +230
• Tennessee +450
• Missouri +900
• Arkansas +290
• LSU +700
• Kentucky +700
• Florida +700
• Mississippi +2200
• Mississippi State +6000
• South Carolina +17500
• Vanderbilt +25000
• Georgia +10000
• Texas A&M +25000

Other Conference Odds

Below are tournament odds for other NCAA Basketball Conferences not covered above. With 68 teams that enter the tournament bracket, there is always a chance that something crazy could happen; after all, that’s why they call it March Madness.  

MAC Conference Winner:

• Toledo +175
• Buffalo +280
• Akron +450
• Kent State +450
• Bowling Green +1000
• Ohio +1000
• Ball State +2000
• Miami Ohio +3000

American Athletic Conference Winner:

• Houston -175
• SMU +650
• Memphis +400
• Wichita State +300
• South Florida +5500
• Tulsa +7500
• Cincinnati +5500
• Central Florida +6000
• East Carolina +20000
• Temple +20000
• Tulane +20000

Big 12 Conference Winner:

• Oklahoma State +800
• Baylor -140
• Texas +750
• Oklahoma +5000
• Texas Tech+ 1000
• Kansas +325
• West Virginia +650
• TCU +20000
• Kansas State +30000
• Iowa State +50000

PAC-12 Conference Winner:

• USC+185
• UCLA+500
• Colorado+210
• Oregon+265
• Stanford+1500
• Arizona State+2000
• Utah U+3000
• Washington State+6600
• Oregon State+5500
• California+20000
• Washington+20000

Patriot League Conference Winner:

• Colgate -500
• Army +450
• Loyola Maryland +800
• Bucknell +1200

Mountain West Conference Winner:

• San Diego State EVEN
• Utah State +260
• Boise State +375
• Colorado State +400
• Nevada +1800
• UNLV +4000
• Wyoming +6000
• Fresno State +10000
• New Mexico +30000
• San Jose State +30000
• Air Force +50000