2024 March Madness Odds and Betting Trends For Second Round

2024 March Madness Odds and Betting Trends For Second Round

March Madness odds for the second round are now on the board. It's two more days of wall-to-wall basketball, with eight games each day.

As we learned Thursday and Friday, these matchups don't always go according to form. NCAA Tournament Second Round odds certainly aren't immune to surprising results, either.

Here's everything you need to know about 2024 March Madness odds for second-round games: action, movement and betting trends. Check back regularly for updates, as bookmakers provide their insights on March Madness Second Round 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. Looking to bet on professional basketball? Check out our NBA odds.

March Madness Odds for Second Round Games

East Region

No. 13 Yale vs No. 5 San Diego State Odds

John Poulakidas and his Yale teammates celebrate their upset of Auburn. (Getty)
  • Opening point spread: San Diego State -6
  • Opening moneyline: San Diego State -225/Yale +185
  • Opening total: Over/Under 129
  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET Sunday (TBS)

UPDATE 9:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: With tipoff looming, San Diego State is laying 5.5 points in BetMGM Nevada's March Madness Second Round odds. That's all the number has been at since opening Friday night.

"It's 2/1 tickets and 2/1 money on San Diego State," BetMGM Nevada's Scott Shelton said of spread play in the book's Las Vegas market. "But it's the same case as the other games on the moneyline: 4/1 tickets and 8/1 money on Yale. These 'dog moneyline backers are getting slaughtered."

BetMGM Nevada opened the total at 129.5 and made a couple trips to 128.5. But the number climbed throughout the afternoon/evening and is now at 132.5 (Under -115). Ticket count is 2/1 on the Over, while money is 2/1 on the Under.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Yale (23-9 SU/18-12 ATS) was the Friday First Round Cinderella, in stunning comeback fashion vs. No. 4 seed Auburn. The Bulldogs trailed 68-58 with 7:15 remaining, but finished the game on a 20-8 run.

That gave the Ivy Leaguers a 78-76 win as 14.5-point underdogs.

San Diego State (25-10 SU/13-18-1 ATS) earned a hard-fought 69-65 victory over No. 12 seed UAB. But the Aztecs fell short of cashing as 6.5-point favorites.

San Diego State is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games.

The SuperBook pegged the Aztecs 6-point favorites to open. That line nudged down to -5.5 tonight. The total went from 129 to 129.5 and back to 129 in March Madness odds for the second round.

No. 9 Northwestern vs No. 1 UConn Odds

Stephon Castle and UConn are double-digit favorites vs. Northwestern. (Getty)
  • Opening point spread: UConn -13
  • Opening moneyline: UConn -1400/Northwestern +800
  • Opening total: Over/Under 135.5 points scored
  • Time: 7:45 p.m. ET Sunday (truTV)

UPDATE 7 P.M. ET SUNDAY: With tipoff 45 minutes out, Connecticut is laying 13.5 points in BetMGM Nevada's NCAA Tournament Second Round odds market. That's where the Huskies opened two nights ago, and they spent most of Saturday at -14.5.

The line has been at some iteration of UConn -13.5 since late Saturday night.

"It's 3/1 tickets and 6/1 money UConn," BetMGM Nevada's Scott Shelton said of point-spread action at the book's Las Vegas operations. "They're playing the 'dog on the moneyline, 8/1 tickets and virtually all the money on Northwestern. A UConn win/Northwestern cover would be great. But even a Northwestern upset would be OK, because it would break up parlays."

The total spent most of the past two days at the 135.5 opener, at various juice. It got to 136.5 for a few hours this morning, but has since been at 135.5.

"They're playing the Over, tickets 4/1 and money 2/1," Shelton said.

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: UConn landed on BetMGM's March Madness Second Round odds board as 13.5-point favorites Friday night. The line went to Huskies -14.5 (-105) within a few hours.

Since then, it's toggled between Connecticut -14.5/-13.5 at various juice, and it's now -13.5 flat. Spread tickets are running almost 3/1 and spread money 6/1 on the Huskies. On the moneyline, Northwestern (+750) is nabbing 86% of tickets/51% of money.

BetMGM's total opened at 135.5, briefly touched 136.5 early this morning and is now 135.5 (Over -115). Tickets and money are in the 4/1 range on the Over.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Connecticut (32-3 SU/23-12 ATS) didn't mess around at all with No. 16 seed Stetson. The Huskies raced to a 52-19 halftime lead and coasted to a 91-52 victory laying 27.5 points.

Dan Hurley's squad is 8-0 SU/7-1 ATS in its last eight outings.

Northwestern (22-11 SU/18-14-1 ATS) got a final-seconds bucket to tie Florida Atlantic at 58 and force overtime. Then the Wildcats rolled in the extra frame, winning 77-65 as 4.5-point underdogs.

Northwestern is a middling 5-4 SU in its last nine, but is 7-2 ATS in that stretch.

UConn opened -13 vs. Northwestern in Caesars Sports' March Madness Second Round odds market. Later this evening, the Huskies went to -13.5 and -14.

No. 11 Duquesne vs No. 3 Illinois Odds

Jimmy Clark III and Duquesne hope to keep their Cinderella story going. (Getty)
  • Opening point spread: Illinois -9
  • Opening moneyline: Illinois -375/Duquesne +295
  • Opening total: Over/Under 151.5 points scored
  • Time: 8:40 p.m. ET Saturday (TNT)

UPDATE 7:40 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Illinois is at -9.5 (-120) on BetMGM Nevada's March Madness Second Round odds board, an hour before tipoff. On Friday night, the Fighting Illini opened -9.5 (-105), and they've since topped out three times at -10.5 (-105).

The latest move came this afternoon, from Illinois -10.5 (-105) to the current -9.5 (-120).

"It's 1.5/1 tickets and 2/1 money on Illinois spread. But they're playing Duquesne on the moneyline, 10/1 tickets and 4/1 money," BetMGM Nevada's Scott Shelton said of action in the sportsbook's Vegas market. "Illinois winning and not covering would be ideal."

The total opened at 148.5 and has been at various iterations of 147.5 since Friday afternoon. It's currently 147.5 (Under -115).

"Almost perfect two-way tickets and money. We're a tiny loser on the Over," Shelton said.

UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: In Thursday's first round, Duquesne scored its first NCAA Tournament win since 1969. The Dukes (25-11 SU/19-16 ATS) were 9.5-point underdogs to No. 6 seed BYU and pulled out a 71-67 upset.

Duquesne is on a 9-0 SU/8-1 ATS tear, covering the last five.

Illinois was an 11.5-point favorite against No. 14 seed Morehead State, yet led just 39-38 at halftime. But the Illini (27-8 SU/20-13-2 ATS) pulled away in the second half for an 85-69 win and cover.

Illinois is on a five-game win streak (4-1 ATS).

On Thursday evening, DraftKings Sportsbook opened Illinois -9, and the initial move a few minutes later was to -8.5. Then began the climb, and by early this morning, the Illini were up to -10.5.

Illinois is now -10, with early spread tickets running 2/1 and early spread money 4/1 on the favorite.

DraftKings' total opened at 151.5 and by late Thursday night was down to 148. It's still 148 tonight, with tickets dead even and money 3/1 on the Under.

No. 7 Washington State vs No. 2 Iowa State Odds

  • Opening point spread: Iowa State -7.5
  • Opening moneyline: Iowa State -300/Washington State +250
  • Opening total: Over/Under 129 points scored
  • Time: 6:10 p.m. ET Saturday (TNT)

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: With tipoff 40 minutes out, Iowa State sits at -6.5 on the BetMGM NCAA Tournament Second Round odds board. That's down a point from the -7.5 opener, and the line has been at various iterations of Cyclones -6.5 since Friday afternoon.

"Plenty of interest in the Cyclones today. We'll be rooting for Wazzu to cover the spread and maybe pull off the upset here," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said.

The total opened at 129.5 and this afternoon reached its low point of 127.5. It's now 127.5 (Over -115). Contrary to the move, BetMGM is hoping for a low-scoring contest.

"It's the lowest total on the board today, and we're gonna need it to go Under 128.5," Magee said.

UPDATE 2:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: BetMGM toggled between Iowa State -7.5/-6.5 at various juice early on in March Madness Second Round odds. The Cyclones are now -6.5 (-115) while taking 66% of early spread bets. But 59% of early spread dollars are on Washington State.

Further, the Cougars (+240) are landing 92% of moneyline bets/83% of moneyline cash early on.

The total opened at 129.5 (Under -115) and is now 128.5 (Over -115). The Over is drawing 56% of tickets/54% of money.

UPDATE 1 A.M. ET FRIDAY: Iowa State (28-7 SU/23-10-2 ATS) took care of No. 15 seed South Dakota State 82-65. The Cyclones just did get there for bettors as 15.5-point favorites.

Iowa State is on a 4-0 SU and ATS upswing and is 8-1 SU in its last nine games.

Washington State held off No. 10 seed Drake 66-61 as a 1.5-point underdog.

The SuperBook just opened this matchup at Iowa State -7.5 in March Madness odds for the second round. The total is 129. Check back Friday for odds and action updates.

South Region

No. 9 Texas A&M vs No. 1 Houston Odds

  • Opening point spread: Houston -9.5
  • Opening moneyline: Houston -480/Texas A&M +360
  • Opening total: Over/Under 132.5 points scored
  • Time: 8:40 p.m. ET Sunday (TNT)

UPDATE 7:15 P.M. ET SUNDAY: With tipoff about 1.5 hours out, Houston is down to -8.5 at BetMGM. The Cougars opened -9.5 and went to -10.5 a couple times on Saturday and earlier today. But by this afternoon, the line was down to the current Houston -8.5.

"It's good two-way on the point spread. A few more tickets and a little bit more money on Houston," BetMGM Nevada's Scott Shelton said. "They are playing A&M on the moneyline, 10/1 tickets and 99% of the money."

The total climbed from 132.5 Friday to a peak of 135.5 early this evening, and it's now at 134.5 (Over -115).

"It's 2/1 tickets on the Over, but really good two-way on the money, almost dead even," Shelton said.

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: Houston hit BetMGM's NCAA Tournament Second Round odds board as 9.5-point chalk early Saturday. The Cougars have since toggled between -9.5/-10.5 at various juice.

It's now Houston -9.5 flat, with 56% of spread tickets/58% of spread money on underdog Texas A&M. Further, early moneyline action is all Aggies, at 90% of tickets/89% of money.

The total opened at 132.5, went to 133.5 Saturday afternoon and 134.5 Saturday night. The Over is netting 71% of tickets/70% of money.

UPDATE 1:15 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Texas A&M (21-14 SU/17-18 ATS) rang up 58 first-half points en route to a 98-83 win over No. 8 seed Nebraska. The Aggies cashed as 1.5-point favorites, moving to 6-1 SU and ATS in their last seven games.

The Aggies will face No. 1 seed Houston (31-4 SU/17-16-2 ATS) on Sunday. The Cougars routed No. 16 seed Longwood 86-46 as 24-point favorites Friday, rebounding from a blowout loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tourney final.

Houston is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games (6-6-1 ATS). Moments ago, Caesars Sports opened the Cougars -9.5.

No. 12 James Madison vs No. 4 Duke Odds

Xavier Brown and James Madison upset Wisconsin on Round 1. (Getty)
  • Opening point spread: Duke -7
  • Opening moneyline: Duke -320/James Madison +250
  • Opening total: Over/Under 148.5 points scored
  • Time: 5:15 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 4 P.M. ET SUNDAY: With tipoff 75 minutes out, Duke is down to -6 in TwinSpires Sportsbook's March Madness odds for the second round. The Blue Devis opened -7.5 and made a stop at -7 on the way down.

James Madison is attracting 75% of tickets/78% of money on the spread. And the Dukes are again very popular on the moneyline, as well, taking 65% of tickets/72% of dollars. James Madison is currently +205.

"Public darling James Madison is receiving a majority of the bets. Hopefully for our sake, their run ends here," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.

The total dipped from 148 to 147, with 52% of tickets on the Over/59% of cash on the Under.

UPDATE 10:15 A.M. ET SUNDAY: BetMGM opened Duke -7.5 (even) very early Saturday in March Madness Second Round odds. A few hours later, the first moves were to -6.5 (-120) and -6.5 (-115). Since mid-Saturday morning, though, the line has been at either Blue Devils -7.5 (-105) or -7.5 flat.

It's all underdog James Madison on both the spread and moneyline. The Dukes are taking 75% of spread bets/81% of spread cash, along with 88% of moneyline bets/89% of moneyline cash.

BetMGM opened the total at 148.5 and made only a modest juice adjustment, to Under -115 on Saturday. The Under is taking 60% of bets/64% of money.

UPDATE MIDNIGHT ET FRIDAY: Duke (25-8 SU/19-14 ATS) pulled away in the second half to beat No. 13 seed Vermont 64-47. The Blue Devils cashed as 12.5-point faves and are 9-3 SU and ATS in their last 12 games.

In Sunday's second round, Duke will meet No. 12 seed James Madison (31-3 SU/20-14 ATS). The Dukes, a very trendy first-round underdog catching 4.5 points, dispatched No. 5 seed Wisconsin 72-61.

Caesars Sports opened Duke -7 in the NCAA Tournament Second Round odds market. There was no movement late tonight.

No. 10 Colorado vs No. 2 Marquette Odds

  • Opening point spread: Marquette -3
  • Opening moneyline: Marquette -165/Colorado +140
  • Opening total: Over/Under 147 points scored
  • Time: 12:10 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 8:10 A.M. ET SUNDAY: An hour before tipoff, Marquette sits at -4.5 (-105) in BetMGM's March Madness odds for the second round. On Friday night, the Golden Eagles opened -3.5, and by late Saturday night, the line was -4.5 (-105).

Since then, there have been juice adjustments to Marquette -4.5 flat and -4.5 (-115), before reverting to -4.5 (-105). Spread tickets are running almost 3/1 and spread money almost 4/1 on the Golden Eagles.

"We're gonna need Colorado to cover +4.5. Colorado outright would be a huge result for the book," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said. "We wouldn't mind a low-scoring game, either, but it's not something we need."

BetMGM's total opened at 147.5 and stuck there at various juice until this morning. It then surged to 151.5, with stops at 148.5/149.5/150.5 along the way. Now, it's at 149.5 (Over -115). Tickets and money are in the 4/1 range on the Over.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Marquette (26-9 SU/21-13-1 ATS) trailed No. 15 seed Western Kentucky 43-36 at halftime. But the Golden Eagles put up 51 second-half points to win easily 87-69 laying 14.5 points.

Colorado (26-10 SU/19-17 ATS) already had an NCAA Tourney game under its belt, beating Boise State in the First Four. The Buffaloes followed with a wildly entertaining win over No. 7 seed Florida, in a game that went down to the wire.

Cody Williams' jumper with two seconds left gave Colorado a 102-100 win and cover as 1.5-point chalk. The Buffs are 10-1 SU/8-3 ATS in their last 11 outings.

Caesars hasn't moved off its Marquette -3 opener tonight. The total nudged from 147 to 146.5 and back to 147.

No. 14 Oakland vs No. 11 N.C. State Odds

Jack Gohlke hit 10 3-pointers in Oakland's huge upset of Kentucky. (Getty)
  • Opening point spread: North Carolina State -5.5
  • Opening moneyline: N.C. State -260/Oakland +210
  • Opening total: Over/Under 146 points scored
  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET Saturday (TBS/truTV)

UPDATE 6:40 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Thirty minutes pre-tip, N.C. State is a 6.5-point favorite on The SuperBook's NCAA Tournament Second Round odds board. The Wolfpack opened -5.5 late Thursday night and went to -6 Friday morning/-6.5 Friday evening.

This morning, North Carolina fell back to -6, but this late this afternoon returned to -6.5. But the movement is counter to the need tonight.

"We're gonna need Oakland for a decent amount," SuperBook executive director John Murray said. "There are a lot more straight moneyline bets on Oakland. But we've got a lot of parlays on N.C. State. I thought there'd be more Oakland takers."

The total opened at 146, bottomed out at 144.5 Friday afternoon and peaked at 147.5 this afternoon. It's now at 147.

"We're gonna need the Under. A good amount of business on N.C. State and the Over," Murray said.

UPDATE 2:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: In the wee overnight hours, North Carolina State opened -5.5 in BetMGM's March Madness odds for the second round. This morning, the Wolfpack advanced to -6.5 (even).

Early spread tickets are running 2/1 and early spread money 9/1-plus on N.C. State. But moneyline play is on Oakland, with tickets 2/1 and money 2.5/1.

BetMGM opened the total at 146.5 and is already down 2 points to 144.5. The Under is getting 59% of early tickets/69% of early money.

UPDATE 1:15 A.M. ET FRIDAY: Oakland (23-11 SU/21-12-1 ATS) gets the early nod as NCAA Tournament Cinderella. The Golden Grizzlies shocked No. 3 seed Kentucky 80-76 as 13.5-point underdogs.

North Carolina State (23-14 SU/18-18-1 ATS) just finished a five-wins-in-five-days run to the ACC Tournament title. But the Wolfpack, 4.5-point underdogs, had enough in the tank to beat No. 6 seed Texas Tech 80-67.

Caesars just got this game on the board, in the wee hours of Friday morning. N.C. State opened -5.5, with a total of 146 on the March Madness Second Round odds board. The total nudged up to 146.5.

West Region

No. 12 Grand Canyon vs No. 4 Alabama Odds

  • Opening point spread: Alabama -5.5
  • Opening moneyline: Alabama -245/Grand Canyon +210
  • Opening total: Over/Under 170.5
  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET Sunday (TBS)

UPDATE 6 P.M. ET SUNDAY: An hour before tipoff, Alabama is laying 5 points in TwinSpires' March Madness Second Round odds. That's down a half-point from the 'Bama -5 opener.

It's two-way spread play with a lean toward the Crimson Tide, at 55% of tickets/59% of money.

TwinSpires' total is much more a mover, opening at 169 and now at 172.5, with stops along the way. The Over is netting 66% of tickets/77% of money.

"The total is the big liability in this game. We'll need the Under for a sizable amount," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.

UPDATE 1:30 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Overall, the SEC has been dismal through two days of the NCAA Tournament. High-scoring Alabama is one of the bright spots for the moment.

The Crimson Tide (22-11 SU/17-15-1 ATS) cracked the century mark against No. 13 seed Charleston, winning 109-96. Alabama covered as 8.5-point chalk, ending a four-game ATS slide.

'Bama will next meet Grand Canyon (30-4 SU/19-13-1 ATS). The Antelopes knocked out No. 5 seed St. Mary's 75-66 as 5.5-point underdogs.

Grand Canyon is on a 6-0 SU and ATS streak.

Circa Sports installed Alabama as a 5.5-point favorite in the wee hours of Saturday morning. The Crimson Tide then moved to -6 in March Madness odds for the second round. The total quickly dipped from 170.5 to 168.5.

No. 6 Clemson vs No. 3 Baylor Odds

  • Opening point spread: Baylor -5
  • Opening moneyline: Baylor -190/Clemson +158
  • Opening total: Over/Under 144 points scored
  • Time: 6:10 p.m. ET Sunday (TNT)

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Forty minutes pre-tip, Baylor is 4-point chalk in TwinSpires Sportsbook's March Madness Second Round odds market. That's down a half-point from the opener of Bears -4.

Baylor is drawing 66% of spread tickets, but spread dollars are running closer, at 55% on the Bears.

"Sharp play on Clemson +4.5," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.

The total opened at 148.5 and is now down to 145.5, with the number dropping 2 points in just the last 30 minutes. The Under is taking 53% of tickets/65% of money.

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: BetMGM hasn't moved off Baylor -4.5 since opening Friday night, save for a couple brief juice adjustments to -4.5 (-115). The Bears are now -4.5 flat, while taking 70% of early spread bets/72% of early spread money.

On the flip side, the moneyline is heavy to underdog Clemson (+170). The Tigers are taking 85% of tickets/89% of dollars.

BetMGM opened the total at 145.5 and toggled to 144.5 a couple times. The number is currently 144.5, with the Over seeing 79% of tickets/73% of cash.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Baylor led No. 14 seed Colgate 54-34 at the half and breezed to a 92-67 victory Friday. The Bears (24-10 SU/19-11-3 ATS) easily covered as 14.5-point favorites.

Clemson (22-11 SU/18-14-1 ATS) closed as a 1.5-point pup vs. No. 11 seed New Mexico. But the Tigers were in control from start to finish of a 77-56 win.

Baylor opened -5 earlier this evening on Caesars Sports' March Madness Second Round odds market. The line is stable late tonight, as is the total at 144.

No. 9 Michigan State vs No. 1 North Carolina Odds

Tom Izzo and Michigan State are 3.5-point underdogs to No. 1 seed North Carolina on the NCAA Tournament Second Round odds board. (Getty)
  • Opening point spread: North Carolina -3.5
  • Opening moneyline: North Carolina -180/Michigan State +152
  • Opening total: Over/Under 139 points scored
  • Time: 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS)

UDPATE 4:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: With game time approaching, North Carolina is at -3.5 (-120) in BetMGM's March Madness odds for second-round games. On Thursday night, the Tar Heels opened -3.5 flat, and they made two treks to -4.5 – first on Friday afternoon, at -105, then for a few hours this morning, at +105 and even money.

Earlier today, BetMGM reported strong spread play on UNC, with tickets 5/1 and money 4/1. Current splits aren't available, but the Tar Heels continue getting plenty of support.

"There's gonna be massive handle on this one, and it's a lot of UNC money coming in," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said. "We'll need Michigan State to keep this one close. Spartans outright would clean out a heap of parlays."

UPDATE 2:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: BetMGM pegged North Carolina a 3.5-point favorite to open Thursday night. This afternoon, the Tar Heels briefly touched -4.5 (-105), then went to -3.5 (-115).

It's all Carolina early, with spread tickets and money in the 8/1 range on UNC.

BetMGM's total went from 140.5 to 139.5 (Over -115) and back to 140.5. Ticket count is 2.5/1 and money 4/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 8 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Michigan State took care of No. 8 seed Mississippi State 69-51 in Thursday's tournament opener. The Spartans (20-14 SU/19-14-1 ATS) easily covered as 1.5-point favorites, their third straight ATS win.

The reward for Tom Izzo's troops: A date with No. 1 seed North Carolina (28-6 SU/19-15-1 ATS). The Tar Heels flattened No. 16 seed Wagner, as expected, winning 90-62 as 25.5-point favorites.

UNC is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games (6-4 ATS).

Caesars Sports opened Carolina -3.5 on the March Madness Second Round odds board. The Tar Heels moved to -4 tonight, while the total went from 139 to 140, then 139.5.

No. 7 Dayton vs No. 2 Arizona Odds

  • Opening point spread: Arizona -8.5
  • Opening moneyline: Arizona -500/Dayton +375
  • Opening total: Over/Under 150.5 points scored
  • Time: 12:45 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS)

UPDATE 11:15 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Ninety minutes before today's first tipoff, Arizona is -9.5 (-105) on BetMGM's March Madness Second Round odds board. Over the past 36 hours or so, the Wildcats have been at various iterations of -9.5, after opening -8.5 at BetMGM.

Arizona is netting 54% of spread tickets/60% of spread money. Not surprisingly, underdog Dayton is landing 85% of moneyline tickets/63% of moneyline cash.

However, Arizona is leading off all the moneyline parlays for the public betting masses today. That's helping even things out overall.

"Definitely. It's a great-looking book so far. Two-way action on the moneyline, spread and total," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said.

The total opened at 150.5 Thursday night, but has mostly been at 149.5. Ticket count is almost dead even at BetMGM, while 60% of cash is on the Under. But again, that represents only straight bets. The public parlays are surely running to the Over, just as they are to Arizona.

UPDATE 5 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Arizona (26-8 SU/21-11-2 ATS) got challenged a bit in the first half against No. 15 seed Long Beach State. The Wildcats ultimately ran away for an 85-65 win, narrowly failing to cover as 20.5-point favorites.

Dayton (25-7 SU/17-15 ATS) opened the NCAA Tournament with a huge comeback against No. 10 seed Nevada. The Flyers trailed 56-39 with 7:14 remaining, but rallied for a 63-60 victory as 1.5-point underdogs.

BetMGM opened Arizona -8.5 and quickly moved to -9.5 Thursday night. The Wildcats are now -9.5 (-115), while taking 61% of early spread bets/75% of early spread money.

The total went from 150.5 to 149.5 Thursday night. Still, the Over is seeing 69% of bets/76% of money.

Midwest Region

No. 8 Utah State vs No. 1 Purdue Odds

  • Opening point spread: Purdue -9.5
  • Opening moneyline: Purdue -600/Utah State +430
  • Opening total: Over/Under 149 points scored
  • Time: 2:40 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 2:20 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Twenty minutes before tipoff, Purdue is an 11-point favorite on TwinSpires Sportsbook's NCAA Tournament Second Round odds board. The Boilermakers opened at -10.5 and hit -11 on the way to -11.5, before returning to -11.

Utah State is taking 58% of spread tickets, but 66% of spread money is on Purdue.

"The public is on Utah State. We saw sharp play on Purdue -10.5," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.

The total went from 148.5 to 149.5, and just fell back to 149 in the past few minutes. The Over is seeing 59% of tickets/64% of money.

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SATURDAY: BetMGM opened Purdue -10.5 (-115) and by midmorning Saturday went to -11.5. That's where the line rests now, and it's two-way spread play. Underdog Utah State is drawing 52% of spread tickets, while Purdue is landing 54% of spread money.

Moneyline tickets are much more lopsided, at 81% on Utah State, which is currently +450. But moneyline dollars are much closer, at 55% on the Aggies.

BetMGM's total opened at 148.5 and has seen only juice adjustments thus far. It's currently 148.5 (Over -115), with 75% of tickets/87% of cash on the Over.

UPDATE MIDNIGHT P.M. ET FRIDAY: Purdue (30-4 SU/18-15-1 ATS) had no trouble with No. 16 seed Grambling State, rolling to a 78-50 win. However, the Boilermakers were never covering as 27.5-point favorites until their final basket.

Carson Barrett hit a 3-pointer with 37 seconds remaining to account for the final margin, as there was no more scoring. Purdue ended a 1-5 ATS skid.

Utah State (28-6 SU/15-14-3 ATS) rolled past TCU 88-72 laying 3.5 points in the first round. The Aggies are 7-1 SU in their last eight games (3-4-1 ATS).

Caesars Sports opened Purdue -9.5 tonight and quickly went to -10.5. The total went from 149 to 148.5 in the early going in March Madness odds for the second round.

No. 11 Oregon vs No. 3 Creighton Odds

  • Opening point spread: Creighton -6.5
  • Opening moneyline: Creighton -250/Oregon +205
  • Opening total: Over/Under 146.5 points scored
  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET Saturday (TBS/truTV)

UPDATE 9 P.M. ET SATURDAY: With tipoff coming up, Creighton is down to -3.5 (-115) on BetMGM Nevada's March Madness Second Round odds board. On Thursday, the Bluejays opened -5.5, and late Friday/early today, the line toggled between -5.5/-4.5 at various juice.

In the past hour, the line dipped to the current Creighton -3.5 (-115).

"Tickets are really close, less than 100 more on Oregon. And there are a bunch of tickets on both teams. Money is the same way, really well-bet, a little more on Oregon," BetMGM Nevada's Scott Shelton said of action at the sportsbook's Las Vegas shops. "They're playing Oregon moneyline really hard on tickets, 10/1. But money is only 1.5/1 Oregon. All the $50 bets are on the Ducks."

The total dipped from 146.5 to 145.5 multiple times earlier today. But it's up to 147.5 tonight.

"They're playing the Over. Tickets are 3/1 and money 12/1 on the Over," Shelton said.

UPDATE 2:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Creighton opened -5.5 Friday night at BetMGM and has since adjusted to -5.5 (even). early ticket count is 2.5/1 and early money almost 6/1 on underdog Oregon.

The Ducks are taking almost all the early moneyline action, at 95% of tickets/83% of money.

BetMGM opened the total at 146.5 (Under -115) and is now at 146.5 flat. Tickets and money are running 2.5/1 on the Over.

UPDATE MIDNIGHT ET THURSDAY: Oregon played its way into the NCAA Tourney by winning the Pac-12 Tournament. In the first round, the Ducks showed they belonged.

Oregon rolled over South Carolina 87-73 Thursday, easily covering as 2.5-point chalk. The Ducks are on a 5-0 SU surge, cashing in the last three games.

Meanwhile, Creighton dispatched No. 14 seed Akron 77-60 laying 11.5 points.

The Oregon-Creighton line was on the move early in Caesars' March Madness Second Round odds market. Creighton opened -6.5 this evening and made a stop at -5.5 on the way to the current -5.

The total is stable late tonight at 146.5.

No. 7 Texas vs No. 2 Tennessee Odds

  • Opening point spread: Tennessee -6.5
  • Opening moneyline: Tennessee -275/Texas +220
  • Opening total: Over/Under 147.5 points scored
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS)

UPDATE 7 P.M. ET SATURDAY: With tipoff 75 minutes away, Tennessee is laying 6.5 points in The SuperBook's March Madness odds for the second round. Late Thursday night, the Vols opened -6 and moved to -6.5 within an hour. There's been no movement since.

"We're definitely gonna be rooting for the 'dog here. It's pretty one-sided action on Tennessee," SuperBook executive director John Murray said. "No real decision on the total. It's just about the side."

That said, the total has seen a fair amount of movement. The SuperBook opened at 148 and steadily made its way down to 145 by early this evening.

UPDATE 5 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Tennessee (25-8 SU/17-15-1 ATS) had no problem with No. 15 seed St. Peter's in the first round Thursday. The Vols breezed to an 83-49 victory laying a healthy 21.5 points.

The Vols are 8-2 SU/7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.

Texas (21-12 SU/13-19-1 ATS) let its defense do the work against Colorado State in Round 1. The Longhorns allowed just 11 first-half points, leading 27-11 at the break, en route to a 56-44 victory giving 2.5 points.

BetMGM opened Tennessee -6.5 (-105) and made a modest juice adjustment, now at -6.5 flat. It's all Tennessee on the spread, at 85% of tickets/90% money. But early moneyline action is on the 'dog Longhorns, by a similar percentage.

The total dipped to 146.5 (Under -115), with the Under landing 82% of early bets/90% of early dollars.

No. 5 Gonzaga vs No. 4 Kansas Odds

K.J. Adams Jr. and Kansas barely escaped vs. Samford in Round 1. (Getty)
  • Opening point spread: Gonzaga -4
  • Opening moneyline: Gonzaga -190/Kansas +158
  • Opening total: Over/Under 151.5 points scored
  • Time: 3:15 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS)

UPDATE 2:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: As tipoff approaches, BetMGM has Gonzaga -3.5 (-115) on the March Madness Second Round odds board. That's where the Zags opened, and they spent much of Friday and the early hours today at -4.5.

Spread tickets and money are approaching 3/1 on Gonzaga. In fact, among the 16 teams playing today, the Bulldogs are taking the second-most spread bets and dollars. Only North Carolina has more action.

"It's one-way traffic on Gonzaga. We're gonna need the Jayhawks +3.5," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said.

The total opened at 151.5 and got to 152.5 three times today, including in just the past couple minutes. Ticket count is almost 2/1 and money almost 3/1 on the Over.

"We'd like the Under," Magee said.

UPDATE 2:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: BetMGM opened Gonzaga -3.5 (-115) and went to -4.5 (-105) late this morning. Practically all the early spread tickets and money are on the Bulldogs.

On the moneyline, 85% of early bets are on the Zags (-190), while 56% of early dollars are on Kansas (+155).

BetMGM's total opened and remains 151.5. The Over is seeing 60% of bets, while 72% of money is on the Under.

UPDATE MIDNIGHT ET THURSDAY: Gonzaga was thought to be a vulnerable 5 seed against No. 12 seed McNeese State. But the Zags were having none of it, plowing to an 86-65 victory as 6.5-point first-round favorites.

The Bulldogs are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games (7-4 ATS). Gonzaga's lone setback came to St. Mary's in the West Coast Conference final.

Kansas got all it could handle from No. 13 seed Samford, leading just 90-89 in the final 30 seconds. But the Jayhawks (23-10 SU/13-19 ATS) survived for the 94-89 victory giving 7.5 points.

The win halted a 1-4 SU and ATS slide for Kansas.

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