March Madness Odds Elite Eight: Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends For Every Game

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

8 minute read

March Madness odds for the Elite Eight are front and center, as the nation's greatest three-weekend sports betting party continues. Four games across Saturday-Sunday will determine who lands on the NCAA Tournament Final Four odds board.

N.C. State's Cinderella run continues as a No. 11 seed, while No. 1 seeds UConn and Purdue continue to beat all comers.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 March Madness odds Elite Eight market: action, movement and betting trends on every game. Check back regularly for updates, as bookmakers provide their insights on March Madness Elite Eight odds. And if you're a college hoops bettor in North Carolina, registration is now available, as all the top North Carolina sportsbooks are live.

March Madness Odds for Elite Eight Games

No. 11 N.C. State vs No. 4 Duke Odds

• Opening point spread: Duke -6
• Opening moneyline: Duke -260/N.C. State +220
• Opening total: Over/Under 143 points scored
• Time: 5:05 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 4:20 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Forty-five minutes before tipoff, Duke is laying 6.5 points on TwinSpires Sportsbook's March Madness Elite Eight odds board. The Blue Devils opened -6.5 and spent time at -7 before going back to -6.5.

Underdog North Carolina State is taking 70% of spread tickets/77% of spread dollars.

"N.C. State has been a very popular 'dog throughout the tourney. Today is no different. The moneyline is 5/1 tickets and 8/1 money on N.C. State. We're big Duke fans this evening," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.

The total dipped a point from 142.5 to 141.5. The Over is getting 61% of tickets, while 58% of money is on the Under.

UPDATE 11 A.M. ET SUNDAY: N.C. State is a bigger underdog than when this game opened early Saturday at BetMGM. But the Wolfpack are a very trendy underdog as their Cinderella story resumes.

Duke opened -5.5 and quickly advanced to -6.5 in the wee hours Saturday, then went to -7.5 (even) Saturday afternoon. The line is still Blue Devils -7.5 (even), but the Wolfpack are landing 73% of spread bets/72% of spread money.

Further, moneyline play leans even more heavily to N.C. State, at 89% of bets/83% of dollars.

"The needs are gonna be Duke and Tennessee. N.C. State and Purdue are attracting a lot of bettors," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said. "If we can get Duke to cover and Tennessee outright, that would be the best for us today."

BetMGM opened the total at 143.5 (Under -115), and that's where the number rests this morning. It's two-way play, with 57% of bets on the Over/55% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 12:30 A.M. ET SATURDAY: N.C. State (25-14 SU/19-19-1 ATS) continued its improbable postseason run with a Sweet 16 upset. The Wolfpack closed as 7.5-point underdogs and won 67-58 Friday night.

North Carolina State lost its last four regular-season games, but hasn't lost since. The Wolfpack made a five-wins-in-five-days run through the ACC Tourney, and they're 8-0 SU/6-2 ATS in postseason play.

Next up for N.C. State is a very familiar opponent: ACC rival Duke (27-8 SU/21-14 ATS) on Sunday. The Blue Devils knocked out No. 1 seed Houston 54-51 catching 4.5 points Friday night.

Standout Cougars guard Jamal Shead suffered an ankle injury with 6:38 remaining in the first half. Shead missed the rest of the game.

Duke is 3-0 SU and ATS in the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils' last loss was actually to N.C. State in the ACC quarterfinals, 74-69.

"It's funny. N.C. State played Duke literally 15 days ago, and it closed Duke -10.5 on a neutral court. It won't be that high this time," Michaelson said. "But that really gives you an idea of how unlikely this N.C. State runs is, for the Wolfpack to be double-digit 'dogs in the conference quarterfinals.

"I would think we'll need N.C. State. But the public loves a Cinderella, so you never know. I could see one of our big public players making a large moneyline bet on the 'dog."

In-Progress/Completed Games

No. 2 Tennessee vs No. 1 Purdue Odds

• Opening point spread: Purdue -3
• Opening moneyline: Purdue -155/Tennessee +135
• Opening total: Over/Under 147.5 points scored
• Time: 2:20 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: About three hours pre-tipoff, Purdue is 4.5-point chalk in TwinSpires Sportsbook's March Madness odds Elite Eight market. The Boilermakers opened -3.5 and made a stop at -4 on the way to -4.5.

Purdue is attracting 75% of spread tickets/82% of spread money.

"The public is showing massive support for Purdue. Spread and moneyline action is lopsided toward the Boilermakers," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said. "We're hoping the public can finally lose one in this tournament."

The total inched from 147.5 to 147, with 53% of tickets on the Over/56% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 1 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Purdue (32-4 SU/20-15-1 ATS) continued rolling through the Midwest Region tonight. The Boilermakers led Gonzaga 40-36 at halftime, but stormed through the second half for an 80-68 win as 4.5-point favorites.

Purdue is 3-0 SU and ATS in the NCAA Tourney, with all three wins by double digits.

Tennessee (27-8 SU/18-16-1 ATS) fended off No. 3 seed Creighton 82-75 laying 3.5 points. The Vols are trying to reach their first-ever Final Four, while keeping Purdue from its first Final Four since 1980.

"Purdue-Tennessee is the total opposite of Duke-N.C. State. The public is afraid to back either of these teams because of their histories in March," Michaelson said. "Somebody is making their first Final Four since 'Video Killed the Radio Star' came out."

The SuperBook opened Purdue -3 in the past 30 minutes, with a total of 147.5. The total already nudged up to 148.

"I think our need will be dependent on the previous [Elite Eight] games," Michaelson said. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of UConn-Bama-Duke-Purdue moneyline parlays. And if Purdue is all that's left, we'll be looking for Tennessee outright.

"Although I know we have liability on the Vols to win the Midwest Region."

No. 6 Clemson vs No. 4 Alabama Odds

• Opening point spread: Alabama -2.5
• Opening moneyline: Alabama -145/Clemson +125
• Opening total: Over/Under 165.5
• Time: 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday (TBS/truTV)

UPDATE 8:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Alabama opened and remains -3 on TwinSpires' March Madness Elite Eight odds board. Spread ticket count is 2/1 and spread money almost 6/1 on the Crimson Tide.

"We're flooded with 'Bama liability, especially with UConn winning and all the parlays going through the Huskies. We're hoping to have a result go our way for once in this tournament," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.

The total dialed down from 164 to 162 at TwinSpires, with 57% of tickets on the Over/59% of money on the Under.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Alabama hit BetMGM's March Madness odds Elite Eight market at -3.5. The Crimson Tide spent most of Friday at various iterations of -2.5, then early today returned to -3.5.

Spread tickets are running just shy of 2/1 and spread money 2.5/1 on Alabama. Underdog Clemson is netting 69% of moneyline tickets, but 'Bama is getting 54% of moneyline dollars.

"Clemson +3.5 would be the preferable result," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said.

BetMGM opened the total at 164.5 and spent a couple hours today at 163.5 (Over -115). The number is now back at 164.5, with tickets and money in the 2/1 range on the Under.

UPDATE 12:30 A.M. ET FRIDAY: No. 4 seed Alabama (24-11 SU/19-15-1 ATS) became the first team to knock out a No. 1 seed in this NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide, 4.5-point underdogs, took down North Carolina 89-87 Thursday night.

'Bama is 3-0 SU and ATS in the NCAA Tourney.

No. 6 Clemson (24-11 SU/20-14-1 ATS) was the first to punch a ticket into the March Madness Elite 8 odds market. The Tigers upset No. 2 seed Arizona 77-72 as a 7.5-point underdog tonight.

Clemson suffered an upset loss of its own against Boston College in the ACC Tournament. But the Tigers are 3-0 SU and ATS in the Big Dance.

Moments ago, The SuperBook opened Alabama -2.5 in the March Madness Odds Elite Eight market.

"I would think the public will back Alabama. They just saw an exciting win with a lot more offensive firepower than what Clemson had," SuperBook risk supervisor Chase Michaelson said. "Clemson has benefited from opponents shooting well below average on 3-pointers in all three [NCAA Tournament] games.

"If 'Bama hits a bunch of 3-pointers, I don't know if Clemson has the offensive firepower to stay with it."

In the early moments, the spread is already on the move, up to Alabama -3. In addition, the total is down a point to 164.5.

No. 3 Illinois vs No. 1 UConn Odds

• Opening point spread: UConn -8.5
• Opening moneyline: UConn -360/Illinois +300
• Opening total: Over/Under 155.5
• Time: 6:09 p.m. ET Saturday (TBS/truTV)

UPDATE 5 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Just over an hour before tipoff, Connecticut is laying 9 points in TwinSpires Sportsbook's March Madness Sweet 16 odds market. That's where the Huskies opened Thursday night, and they spent time at -8.5, as well.

UConn is taking 55% of tickets, but a more robust 75% of money on the spread.

"UConn, as expected, is taking the bulk of money, and we'll be massive Illinois fans. UConn/Alabama moneyline is being parlayed together nonstop today," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.

The total is up a point from 154.5 to 155.5, with 61% of tickets/66% of cash on the Over.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET SATURDAY: A few hours before tipoff, BetMGM has UConn as 8.5-point chalk. That matches the opening number, and in fact the line hasn't moved, save for a couple of juice adjustments to Huskies -8.5 (-115). The last of those adjustments came in the past 30 minutes, but it quickly reverted to Connecticut -8.5 flat.

No surprise, it's solid UConn action on the spread, at 69% of tickets/74% of money. Underdog Illinois is landing 80% of moneyline bets/52% of moneyline dollars.

"Illinois is definitely a need to cover," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said.

BetMGM opened the total at 155.5, bottomed out at 154.5 a couple of times and peaked at 156.5 twice this afternoon. It's now 155.5 (Under -115), with 58% of tickets/64% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 12:50 A.M. ET FRIDAY: Connecticut (34-3 SU/25-12 ATS) continues to blow up any and all competition. In tonight's East Region semifinals, the Huskies outscored No. 5 seed San Diego State 42-21 in the second half, rolling to an 82-52 rout.

UConn easily cashed as an 11.5-point favorite, moving to 9-0 SU/8-1 ATS in its last nine games. And in their last nine NCAA Tournament games, the Huskies are 9-0 SU and ATS.

Illinois (28-8 SU/21-13-2 ATS) fended off No. 2 seed Iowa State 72-69 catching 1.5 points to reach the East final. The Fighting Illini are 6-0 SU/5-1 ATS in their last six games.

Moments ago, The SuperBook pegged Connecticut 8.5-point chalk to open, with a total of 155.5. The spread is stable, while the total dipped to 154.5.

"This is a case where we looked to make the line as high as possible, because we expect one-way traffic on UConn," SuperBook risk supervisor Chase Michaelson said. "When you've won nine straight NCAA Tournament games by double digits, the public is gonna load up behind you.

"Illinois is good. And they're catching 8.5. The line will go up and up, until there's sharp resistance."

All that said, Illinois just might have the goods take that next step.

"I would think Illinois is best positioned to give UConn a run for its money, of probably any team the Huskies have faced in the last two tournaments," Michaelson said.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson