2025 March Madness Odds Report, Betting Trends: Everything You Need To Know

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

March Madness odds for 2024-25 are getting some looks, with the tipoff of the college basketball season. And no surprise, the most successful team of this century is a co-favorite.

UConn, coming off its second straight national title, is joined by Kansas atop odds to win March Madness. But a handful of teams are in hot pursuit.

Here's everything you need to know about college basketball futures odds: action, line movement and betting trends. Check back regularly for updates on 2025 March Madness odds, and use our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action.

2025 March Madness Odds

Three-Peat Prospect

UConn has won the last two NCAA Tourmaments, giving it five since 2004, to go along with its first national title in 1999. Last season, the Huskies went 37-3 SU, including 9-0 SU in postseason play.

In fact, over its last 28 games of the 2024-25 season, Connecticut was 27-1 SU. Still, following UConn's 75-60 championship win over Purdue, BetMGM opened the Huskies as the +1200 third choice in March Madness odds for 2025.

However, with the season just underway, it's UConn as the +900 co-favorite to win it again. And early bettors like the two-time defending champs, too.

"There's no shortage of UConn backers so far. They're the second-most-bet team for March Madness and the fourth-highest liability," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee.

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Rock Chalk Jayhawk

Joining UConn atop BetMGM's NCAA Tournament futures odds is Kansas. Last season, the Jayhawks went an un-Kansas-like 23-11 SU. Bill Self's squad bowed out in the second round of March Madness, losing to Gonzaga 89-68.

But back in April, Kansas opened as the +1100 co-favorite with Duke. Both the Jayhawks and UConn were +850 the week before this season started, and both are now +900.

Unlike UConn, Kansas is a reasonable result for BetMGM early on.

"Kansas has taken decent action so far, but is still a positive result for the house," Magee said.

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The Jayhawks had a huge early-season test in just their second game. Kansas blew a 15-point halftime lead at home against North Carolina, but pulled out a 92-89 victory.

Duke is now the +1000 co-third choice with Alabama. And the Blue Devils are No. 1 in tickets and money in BetMGM's March Madness championship odds market.

UConn is No. 2 in tickets and money, followed by Kansas. Alabama, which has made a notable move from its +2000 opening number, is fourth in tickets and fifth in money.

Needs And Liabilities

At this very early stage, Magee cited a few teams that BetMGM is siding with in NCAA Tournament odds.

"Our root-fors are Alabama, Kansas, Arizona and Houston," Magee said.

Arizona opened +2000 and is now among a few teams at +2500, ninth in odds to win March Madness. Houston opened and is currently +1400, the sixth choice.

So where is the early liabilty?

"We're rooting against Duke, UCLA, Gonzaga, UConn, Rutgers and Auburn," Magee said.

Perennial contender Gonzaga is the +1100 fifth choice, a significant leap from its +3000 opening number in April. A week before the season opened, the Bulldogs were +1700. The Zags are sixth in ticket count and fourth in money at BetMGM.

Auburn opened +3000 and is now +2500. UCLA and Rutgers are the longer shots of that bunch, though both have seen their odds improve. The Bruins opened +8000 and are now into +4000, while Rutgers is +5000 after opening +6000.

Flying Under The Radar

Magee also pointed to potential dark horse that's worth an early look in odds to win the NCAA Tournament.

"I like Ole Miss this year," he said. "Chris Beard is a great coach, and the Rebels picked up some great transfers in the portal. I think they could be worth a flier this year."

Ole Miss opened and remains +8000 on BetMGM's 2025 March Madness odds board.

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