2024 Women’s March Madness Championship Odds and Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Women's March Madness odds are garnering plenty of attention, perhaps more this year than in any year previous. For that, sportsbooks can thank Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.

However, while Clark is all the rage, the fact remains that South Carolina is a solid favorite in odds to win the Women's NCAA Tournament. As the Gamecocks should be, with their perfect 37-0 record entering the Final Four.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 Women's March Madness odds market: action, movement and betting trends. Check back regularly for updates, as bookmakers provide their insights on Women's NCAA Tournament 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.

Women's March Madness Odds

Liability Leader

No. 1 seed Iowa (33-4) took out No. 3 seed and defending champ LSU 94-87 in the Elite Eight. That avenged the Hawkeyes' loss in last season's championship game.

Clark poured in 41 points against LSU, in what multiple sportsbooks reported as the most-bet women's college basketball game ever. Next up for the Hawkeyes: a matchup vs. No. 3 seed UConn in the Final Four.

Iowa championship action continues to roll in on the strength of Clark's popularity in the Women's March Madness odds market.

"As long as the Iowa Hawkeyes remain in the tournament, they continue to attract money from bettors," Magee said. "They remain the biggest loser on the futures book, by a decent margin."

That said, Magee and the BetMGM risk room are rooting for an Iowa-South Carolina final. Betting interest on that matchup would be phenomenal.

"Iowa playing South Carolina could beat out the handle on the Iowa-LSU game. So Iowa winning and advancing to the national championship game would still be great for the book, even if it means we lose on the [Iowa-UConn] game."

Iowa and South Carolina didn't meet during the regular season. The only opportunity to meet this year would be in the national championship game. South Carolina is the No. 1 seed in Region 1, while Iowa is the No. 1 seed in Region 2.

So what would the number be for a Gamecocks-Hawkeyes showdown?

"I think I'd probably land South Carolina -5.5," Magee said. "South Carolina went off at about -9.5/-8.5 against LSU on a neutral floor. I think Iowa is a few points better than LSU.

"Iowa has the best player the women's college game has ever seen, and has a cast that can shoot the lights out. Iowa is one of only two teams in the country with a more efficient offense than South Carolina. The only question is if Iowa has the defense capable of beating a team like South Carolina."

The South Carolina-LSU game Magee referred to was the SEC Tournament final, in which the Gamecocks beat the Tigers 79-72. In a Jan. 25 regular-season game at LSU, South Carolina notched a 76-70 victory.

Head of the Class

Just how much better do oddsmakers perceive South Carolina to be, compared with No. 2 choice Iowa? Well, as the Final Four awaits, the Gamecocks are -200 favorites on BetMGM's Women's March Madness futures odds board.

Then the prices stretch out to +300 for Iowa, +700 for UConn and +1400 for N.C. State. To math it out: A $200 bet on South Carolina to win it all would turn a profit of $100. By contrast, a $100 bet on Iowa to win it all would net $300.

Despite a short price for months, South Carolina was often still perceived as a value play. The Gamecocks are that good, heading into the Final Four showdown against No. 3 seed North Carolina State.

"I think we've seen all year, as evidenced by South Carolina's zero losses, that this is unequivocally the best team in the women's game. We've been short on them all year for that reason," BetMGM trader Seamus Magee said.

"There’s still money coming in on the Gamecocks," Magee said, while noting South Carolina began the tourney as -135 chalk.

With the minus-money price, though, liability doesn't stack up much.

"South Carolina is still a very nice winner for the book," Magee said.

Wolfpack, Huskies Underdogs

Strictly from a numbers perspective, BetMGM should be rooting for an N.C. State national championship.

"N.C. State women winning the title would be the best result for the book. I wouldn’t say they’ve gotten the same attention as the N.C. State men. But bettors in North Carolina have certainly noticed the success of the women’s team," Magee said.

As for fellow Final Four underdog UConn:

"I think UConn, all around and when healthy, is one of the best teams in the country. And I think the Huskies are certainly more than capable of beating Iowa on Friday night," Magee said. "At the moment, UConn is a loser for the futures book, but nowhere near where the book stands on Iowa winning the title."

However, that doesn't mean BetMGM wants a UConn-N.C. State or UConn-South Carolina final. As noted above, just for the sheer volume of action it would generate, Magee and Co. want Caitlin Clark and Iowa meeting undefeated South Carolina on Sunday night, for all the marbles.

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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