March Madness is upon us and, with more states legalizing sports betting, it’s sure to have more interest than ever this year. Ahead of this year’s NCAA Tournament, we’re bringing you all the latest March Madness odds and lines.

Read on to find out all the odds to win March Madness games, how these odds work, how you can claim bonuses, and more, to make the most of your sports betting efforts this year.

BetOnline Sports logo

50% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now
BetUS Sports logo

125% Sign Up Bonus Up To $2,500 + 30 Free Spins

5 Stars Claim Now
Everygame Sports logo

100% up to $500 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now
MyBookie Sports logo

50% Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $1,000

5 Stars Claim Now
BUSR Sports logo

100% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500

5 Stars Claim Now
XBet Sports logo

50% Welcome Deposit Bonus Up To $500 + $10 Casino Chip

5 Stars Claim Now
Bovada Sports logo

Get a Welcome Bonus of up to $750

5 Stars Claim Now
Sportsbetting AG Sports logo

First Two Deposits Matched Up To $1,000 (2x $500)

5 Stars Claim Now
BetNow Sports logo

100% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now
Jazz Sports logo

75% Sports Welcome Bonus Up To $2,500

5 Stars Claim Now
In This Guide
Show full guide
Show less

March Madness Odds at the Best NCAA Tournament Sportsbooks

There are a total of 68 teams competing for the title in the NCAA Tournament. In your sports betting quest, you will find many March Madness betting odds and markets that can be used to place your bets. To help you better understand what you can expect this year, we’re breaking down the odds for easy research.

Below, you will find our chart that explores each team’s projected odds of winning March Madness in 2024. Check it out and be sure to keep reading to learn more about the sportsbooks associated with them.

Explaining March Madness Odds and Lines

When you visit a sportsbook you may see several odds and lines listed, which could come across as very daunting. However, March Madness betting odds and game lines are fairly straightforward and similar to odds you would see during the regular season for NCAAB or the NBA.

March Madness lines refer to the individual game lines sportsbooks assign for each game and each team. More specifically, game lines are represented by point spreads. For example, if Duke is favored by -3 this means oddsmakers believe Duke will win by at least 3 points (or more). Conversely, if Duke is an underdog their line would read +3, which means oddsmakers believe Duke will lose by 3 points (or less). To successfully win a point spread bet (or line), the team you wager on must cover the spread.

In the above Duke example, Duke must win by 4 if they are favored by -3 for you to win your bet. If they win by 3, you push, which means you don’t win or lose and if they win by 1, 2, or lose outright, then you lose your bet. The same concept applies for the +3 point spread but the inverse would be true (e.g. Duke must lose by 1, 2, or win outright for you to win your +3 wager).

The terms odds and lines are often interchangeable to describe point spread bets, over/under total bets, moneyline bets, and/or prop bets. Additionally, odds are most commonly used to describe future bets. In the case of March Madness, you will most definitely see sportsbooks post future odds on who will win the NCAA Tournament in 2024. This just means the sportsbook calculated the probability of each team winning and adjusted their handicap accordingly.

Below, you will find our expert insights on the top March Madness odds from the best NCAA sportsbooks. Use our guide to help you find the most suitable betting site for your needs.

How to Read March Madness Odds and Lines

Successful betting requires you to understand betting odds. You will not be able to win long-term betting on sports if you don’t understand the betting odds and their probabilities.

American odds can be presented in either positive or negative terms. Here are some examples of American March Madness betting odds for a game between Notre Dame and Florida State.

Positive odds show what kind of profit you can expect to get. Let’s say Notre Dame has +130 odds. If you bet on Notre Dame to win the game and you wagered $100, you would win $130 on top of getting your initial wager back from the sportsbook. Thus, you take home $230 but net $130 in profit.

Negative odds, on the other hand, show you what you need to wager to place a bet on that team. For example, of Florida State has -140 odds, you would need to bet $140 to win $100 if Florida State wins. Again, you will also receive your initial wager back if you win your bet.

Safe March Madness Bets to Make on NCAA Tournament Odds

Heading into the NCAA tournament with an impressive 25-2 record, Houston finds itself as the odds-on favorite in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Heading into March Madness, the Houston Cougars are ranked as the No. 1 team in the official KenPom rankings.

  • UConn: +450 (BetOnline)
  • Houston: +700 (BetOnline)
  • Purdue: +800 (BetOnline)
  • North Carolina: +1,400 (BetOnline)

Cody Williams from the Colorado Buffaloes is expected to be an early pick in the 2024 NBA Draft but his team is unlikely to lift the trophy with current odds of +15,000. However, he could win the  NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Award as the last eight winners have all been guards including last year’s winner and now Utah Jazz player Ochai Agbaji.

How to Bet on March Madness Odds

Making the most of March Madness betting odds means taking advantage of any bonuses and promos available to you. To begin, you want to compare the odds between the different sports betting sites that we mentioned above.

To do this effectively, you will need to do the following when it comes to college basketball betting:

1. Sign Up to One of Our Recommended Sites for March Madness Lines and Odds.

NCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

All the sites we have reviewed on this page are excellent choices for betting on college basketball and the best one for you depends on your needs. Overall we rate Betonline as the best NCAA basketball betting site for odds and lines.

2. Complete the Registration ProcessNCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

Once you have chosen the site that best suits your NCAA betting needs, click the join button (usually top right of tight of the page) and complete the registration process. It’s a quick and easy process to register. You will need to input details such as name, email address, zip code, phone number, etc. For the majority of sites on our list, it generally takes less than 15 minutes to sign up.

3. Check Out the Promotions

BetOnline deposit promotions page

Before depositing any of your own money you need to find out what bonuses you can claim either check out our sportsbook promo codes page or check the promotions tab of the site you have chosen.

4. Deposit Funds

Betonline deposit

After completing your research and claiming your new player sign-up bonuses, deposit funds into your account(s).

5. Place Your Bet

BetOnline Basketball Betting

Finally, select your NCAA college basketball betting odds of choice. Note, be sure to compare the odds between all the NCAA basketball betting sites that you registered with. Then sit back and enjoy the game and hopefully collect your winnings. Good luck!

How the NCAA Tournament Works

Every year starting at some time in March 68 of the best Division 1 basketball teams come together to compete in the NCAA tournament. The tournament is made up of 32 teams that receive automatic bids for winning their respective conferences. The other 36 teams are selected by the NCAA commission based on their performance throughout the season and are given an at-large bid.

The tournament officially begins on selection Sunday. On Selection Sunday the 68 teams to participate in the tournament teams are officially announced and the bracket is released. The bracket consists of four quadrants usually based on geographical location, each contains 16 teams and each team will be seeded 1-16.

The first games to be played are that of the first four. Technically these games are not part of the tournament but actually played to earn a spot in the tournament. These 4 games are played by eight teams comprised of the four lowest-ranking automatic bid teams and the four lowest-ranking at-large bid teams. The winners of these games move forward to the first round of 64.

It is a pure knockout tournament which means if you lose one game you are out after the first round, we see 32 teams go home and the second round sees 16 teams leave. Now we are into the sweet sixteen stages, from here we drop down to the elite eight and then we are left with the winner of each of the four quadrants and the final four.

This is the first point that number 1 seed teams can meet each other. The two semi-finals are played and then we have the championship game that this year is being played in Houston on April 3rd.

NCAA Tournament Schedule – 2024 March Madness Schedule

March Madness begins on March 12th with Selection Sunday. And just two days later, everything kicks into high gear with the First Four, taking place between March 14h and 15th. The First Round gets officially underway on March 16th.

This yearly celebration is a must-see TV for many sports fans. You can find out when all the action takes place in our March Madness schedule below.

Round Date City Arena
Selection Sunday March 17 N/A N/A
First Four March 19 & 20 Dayton, Ohio UD Arena
First/Second March 21 & 22 Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
First/Second March 21 & 23 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
First/Second March 21 & 23 Omaha, NE CHI Health Center
First/Second March 21 & 23 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
First/Second March 21 & 23 Salt Lake City, UT Delta Center
First/Second March 22 & 24 Memphis, TN FedExForum
First/Second March 22 & 24 Spokane, WA Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena
First/Second March 22 & 24 Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse
First/Second March 22 & 24 Brooklyn, N.Y. Barclays Center
West Regional March 28 & 30 Los Angeles, CA Crypto.com Arena
East Regional March 28 & 30 Boston, MA TD Garden
Midwest Regional March 29 & 31 Detroity, MI Little Caesars Arena
South Regional March 29 & 31 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
Final Four April 6 & 8 Phoenix, AZ State Farm Stadium

Check More of Our March Madness College Gambling 2024 Guides


Ranking the Top 10 Betting Sites for March Madness Odds & Lines in 2024

Our expert team has compiled a list of the best March Madness betting sites for this year’s NCAA Tournament:

  1. BetOnline – Our top pick of the best overall betting site for March Madness odds
  2. Bovada – Excellent array of prop bets with great odds
  3. MyBookie – Best betting site for March Madness specials odds
  4. Everygame – Our pick for user-friendliness and features
  5. XBet – Best site for beginners to March Madness odds
  6. Lucky Block – Excellent live betting and fast withdrawals
  7. BetUS – The best March Madness betting site for pro bets and futures
  8. BetNow – A great choice for March Madness mobile odds and betting
  9. BUSR – Top sports betting for crypto users
  10. Jazz Sports – Great site for March Madness odds & lines

Sportsbooks with the Highest Odds for March Madness

It’s important to know what to look for in the various NCAA sports betting sites. Below, we show you where to bet on March Madness and why each site made our list.

1. BetOnline – Highest March Madness Odds 2024

BetOnline NCAA March Madness bonus

BetOnline, a betting site with plenty of incentives, is an obvious choice for anyone looking to place a bet on the NCAA Tournament. These odds are some of the best in the industry.

The site has undergone a massive redesign to make their site more competitive and user-friendly. The result is a simple interface that’s easy to use. Whether you’re a seasoned sports bettor or a beginner, you will find this interface to be welcoming and accessible.

It’s easy to find what you’re looking for, and there are plenty of features and options at your disposal. Some sports betting sites complicate things and make it hard to navigate, but BetOnline simplifies things while giving you plenty to see and do.

As such, you’re sure to have an enjoyable sports betting experience with the site. It’s a breeze to find the sports you want to bet on and place bets. You can place bets on NCAA March Madness odds on totals and spreads. There is also a $250,000 Bracket Madness contest with a $25 entry fee.

Plus, you can deposit with credit cards, bank wires, or a variety of crypto options. So you’ve got plenty of ways to get your payments, which is always a welcome addition. You can receive a $1,000 welcome bonus by using the BetOnline promo code and there are also lots of other sports promos including reload bonuses and risk-free bets.

What we like:

  • A quarter of a million Bracket Madness contest
  • Lots of March Madness promotions like risk-free bets
  • No-fees for crypto deposits
  • Best odds to win March Madness on futures for the Tournament favorites
  • Unique NCAA Tournament prop bets

What we don’t:

  • High rollover requirements
  • Fees on card payments

 

2. Bovada – Best Odds to Win March Madness on Future Bets

NCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

Bovada is another top site for March Madness betting odds. The sportsbook has gained a lot of brand recognition through the years, thanks to its high odds and abundant props markets.

One great feature at Bovada is their prop builder. You can personalize props from will a certain player score x amount of points, will a player get 10 or more rebounds plus many other options. You can even make a few and then put them into a parlay and boost the odds of your bet.

Live betting is also another area Bovada excels. Their live betting platform runs smoothly and updates in real-time so you won’t miss a chance to bet on any action during a game.

Lastly, Bovada offers both major credit cards and crypto options. Users can also earn up to $4,500 in Bitcoin bonuses. The one downside is because they heavily promote the use of crypto the bonus for fiat payments is set fairly low at $250.

What we like:

  • Prop builder feature for March madness
  • Many payment methods with quick withdrawal
  • Competitive NCAA March Madness odds
  • Superb VIP/Loyalty program
  • Low wagering requirement for bonus

What we don’t:

  • Welcome bonus for non crypto payments is low
  • A limited number of bonuses and promotions

 

3. MyBookie – Best Betting site for March Madness Specials Odds

NCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

Another great option for bettors is MyBookie. The sportsbook offers strong odds on March Madness and a wide range of NCAA Tournament betting markets.

This site is also great for those who enjoy props. MyBookie thrives on props through the props-building feature. As such, you should find the sports betting site to be a solid choice if you’re looking for props and more.

A 50% bonus on your first deposit of up to $1,000 is available by using a MyBookie promo code. You can also get reload bonuses for sports and refer rewards. These are attractive promos to keep sports bettors coming back for more.

You can also play at the site’s online casino. The account can be funded via crypto, credit cards, or Person 2 Person.

What we like:

  •  March Madness predictions and coverage
  • Free bracket contest for March madness
  • Lots of educational material on college basketball betting
  • Prop building feature

What we don’t:

  • Limited payment options
  • High minimum deposit for card payments

 

4. Everygame – Our Pick For User Friendliness and Features

NCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

Everygame is another great sportsbook option. The company has been taking online bets since the mid-nineties and since then has continually grown into a popular sportsbook destination for newcomers and veteran sports bettors.

The sportsbook is currently offering a very decent welcome bonus — new bettors at Everygame can receive a 100% signup bonus, which is divided between their first three deposits. They also host a competition where the winners can win tickets to the final four.

As we inch closer to the beginning of the tournament in 2024, you’ll surely see March Madness betting odds and lines begin to take shape on the sportsbook page at Everygame. Additionally, you can browse their wide selection of odds for other sports and leagues, including NBA, MLB, soccer, and more.

What we like:

  • March Madness competition to win tickets to the final four
  • Easy site to navigate; fewer options but more streamlined
  • User-friendly live betting
  • NCAA odds are very competitive
  • Bet booster feature

What we don’t:

  • Odds are up later than most other sites
  • No picks or predictions on site

 

5. XBet – Competetive March Madness Basketball Betting odds and Bracket Contest

great college basketball betting odds sportsbook

XBet offers great NCAA March Madness odds and strong bonuses.  Bettors will find everything they need to bet on the NCAA Tournament with Xbet including props.

The site also provides bettors with insight and analysis from industry experts including NCAA predictions. These can be found on the news section of the website and it is an incredibly useful tool for both novice and seasoned bettors.

Until recently Xbets payment options were left lacking when compared to other sites but they have now updated their accepted payments and there are plenty of options including 10 crypto options as well as fiat payments.

An Xbet promo code can be claimed by all new customers to the site which offers a 100% bonus on your first deposit up to $500. There is also a $100 refer-a-friend bonus and a sports reload bonus of up to $250 on all deposits. Apart from these offers though there are not the regular sports promotions you find at some other sites like BetOnline.

What we like:

  • 100% deposit match welcome bonus
  • Bet on NCAA March Madness futures
  • March Madness bracket competition
  • On-site picks and predictions
  • Fewer payment options than on other sites

What we don’t:

  • $45 minimum deposit via card payments
  • Welcome bonus maximum only $500

 

6. BetUS – Early NCAA March Madness Odds and Huge Welcome Bonus

NCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

If you want a sports betting site that excels at bonus features, BetUS won’t disappoint.

Indeed, BetUS easily has one of the most appealing welcome bonuses available in the industry. As such, it comes highly recommended for both beginner and veteran bettors alike.

If you want to ensure that you get the best experience when betting on March Madness, you’ll want to check out BetUS.

You stand to get $3,125 in bonus cash when you sign up with BetUS. The overall sportsbook is comparable to its peers, and you’ll find all of the usual props, spreads, and totals.

BetUS TV is another feature that the sportsbook brings to the table. This section of the website provides insight and predictions from industry professionals, covering all major sports, including the NCAA Tournament.

What’s more, you can fund your account via traditional methods, as well as Bitcoin, Ripple, or Ethereum. This is a welcome addition to see, as it breaks the traditional funding mold found in most other sportsbooks.

What we like:

  • Offers picks and predictions
  • Parlay betting feature
  • Huge welcome bonus
  • Competitive March Madness odds
  • Reliable payouts

What we don’t:

  • Time period applicable for bonus
  • High minimum deposit of $100 to claim welcome bonus

 

7. BetNow – Excellent Live March Madness Betting Odds

NCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

If you’re looking for a reliable sportsbook, BetNow is one of our top choices. As a sports betting site, BetNow accepts players from several countries, not just the United States.

With more than six years in the industry, you can trust that BetNow knows what it’s doing and therefore offers a solid betting experience for bettors who are eager to get in on March Madness betting odds.

BetNow is licensed in Curacao, where it operates its independent sports betting site. You can find everything from NCAA basketball to racing offered on BetNow.

Most sports bettors agree that BetNow is a solid contender on the sports betting scene and brings a respectable user experience to the table. What’s more, you can get a 100% deposit bonus of up to $500 when you make your first deposit.

Rollover is minimal and players receive bonuses in cash, not play credits. This is nice to see, as it’s not often that offshore betting sites offer this feature.

BetNow’s software is equally nice. Its interface features live betting and you’ll find prop bets for a wide variety of sports. In addition, you can use Bitcoin to make deposits and receive payouts quickly and easily. There’s even a VIP Program available for select players, which offers a 15% bonus on deposits.

What we like:

  • $1 million March Madness competition
  • Intuitive in-play betting feature
  • Great mobile website
  • Choice of three welcome bonuses
  • Decent odds on NCAA March Madness odds

What we don’t:

  • Max amount of any of the welcome bonuses is $500
  • Fewer prop bets than other sites

 

8. BUSR  – One of the Best Welcome Bonuses

NCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball FuturesBUSR is licensed in the United Kingdom and Central America. This international gaming company has won awards for its operations, serving as a commendable sports betting site for many sporting events.

Not only will you find lots of March Madness betting odds options but also a litany of additional events, such as horse racing. Plenty of international events are on BUSR, as well, including Wimbledon, the Masters, and lots of soccer.

There is even an online casino, which features live dealer games. If you’re familiar with or have used sites like MyBookie, Bovada, or BetOnline, you should feel right at home with BUSR.

To use BUSR and receive payouts, you will first need to verify your phone number and provide documentation to prove your identity. From there, you can get your payouts via check, wire, or Bitcoin.

Customer support through BUSR is top-of-the-line, featuring helpful and knowledgeable agents who are available to assist you when you need a hand. It’s worth mentioning that they are located in Costa Rica.

But you can access BUSR’s customer service department via chat, email, social media, or by phone.

What we like:

  • $2,500 welcome bonuses
  • Sites come in multiple languages
  • Wide range of March Madness bets
  • 64, sweet sixteen, and elite 8 bracket contests
  • 24/7 customer service

What we don’t:

  • High qualifying deposit amount for bonus
  • Betting lines released later than competitors

 

9. Sportsbetting.ag – Risk Free Bets Available

Sportsbetting.ag March Madness odds and bonus

Sportsbetting.ag was established in 1996 and is one of the oldest gambling sites in the United States. The site didn’t formally establish its sportsbook until 2003 after amassing an initial user base and level of interest. In 2012, BetOnline purchased Sportsbetting.ag and since then the company has grown into one of the largest and most trusted sportsbooks.

Today, Sportsbetting.ag is both user-friendly and reliable. Like most competitors, SportsBetting.ag features a plethora of NCAA Men’s basketball odds, including March Madness betting lines and odds.

The sportsbook is even offering a 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000 during Championship Week in March, which is the week of basketball that takes place before the NCAA Tournament tips off.

All-in-all, you’ll find a wealth of features and options to keep you busy during March Madness, so be sure to check out this sportsbook as you research and compare different sites.

What we like:

  • Regular sports promos and bonuses
  • Offers March Madness bracket challenge
  • Live betting
  • 64, sweet sixteen, and elite 8 bracket contests
  • 24/7 customer service

What we don’t:

  • 50%welcome bonus
  • Fees on card payments

 

March Madness Betting History

The NCAA Tournament is over 80 years old now and has a rich history. It was in way back 1939 that the first NCAA March Madness Tournament occurred in Evanston, Illinois. It is an incredibly difficult tournament to win considering the massive amount of Division 1 teams and the wealth of talent each team possesses.

Kansas won the tournament last year in 2022 by narrowly beating North Carolina but it is UCLA has won the most titles with 11 in total, followed by Kentucky with 8, North Carolina with 6, and Duke with 5. The tournament format has varied over the years but has been relatively the same recently with the exception of the First Four which was introduced in 2011.

Previous March Madness Winners by Seed

NCAA March Madness Odds and Lines [cur_year] - Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

When it comes to predicting the winner of a tournament, sportsbooks are pretty good at their job. Since 2005 the betting favorites going into the tournament have ended up winning the title. This year’s betting favorite before the tournament is Houston so backing them is not a bad choice.

Historically most tournaments have been won by a number 1 seed. In total 24 champions (64% of all tournaments) have been number 1 seed and another 9 (25% ) have been won by seeds 2 or 3. It is incredibly rare for a lower seed to win the tournament but it has happened a few times. The biggest upset was Villanova in 1985 who were an 8th seed but went on to win the tournament.

Past March Madness Winners by Year

March Madness betting history

In recent history, it has mostly been a team from a power conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, SEC, PAC-12) school winning the championships. Check out the list of winners from every single NCAA Tournament dating from 1960 to the present.

NCAA Tournament March Madness Winner NCAA Tournament MOP
1960 Ohio State Jerry Lucas
1961 Cincinnati Jerry Lucas
1962 Cincinnati Paul Hogue
1963 Loyola Chicago Art Heyman
1964 UCLA Walt Hazzard
1965 UCLA Bill Bradley
1966 UTEP Jerry Chambers
1967 UCLA Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1968 UCLA Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1969 UCLA Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1970 UCLA Sidney Wicks
1971 UCLA Howard Porter
1972 UCLA Bill Walton
1973 UCLA Bill Walton
1974 NC State David Thompson
1975 UCLA Richard Washington
1976 Indiana Kent Benson
1977 Marquette Butch Lee
1978 Kentucky Jack Givens
1979 Michigan State Magic Johnson
1980 Louisville Darrell Griffith
1981 Indiana Isaiah Thomas
1982 North Carolina James Worthy
1983 NC State Hakeem Olajuwon
1984 Georgetown Patrick Ewing
1985 Villanova Ed Pinckney
1986 Louisville Pervis Ellison
1987 Indiana Keith Smart
1988 Kansas Danny Manning
1989 Michigan Glen Rice
1990 UNLV Anderson Hunt
1991 Duke Christian Laettner
1992 Duke Bobby Hurley
1993 North Carolina Donald Willams
1994 Arkansas Corliss Williamson
1995 UCLA Ed O’Bannon
1996 Kentucky Tony Delk
1997 Arizona Miles Simon
1998 Kentucky Jeffrey Sheppard
1999 Connecticut Richard Hamilton
2000 Michigan State Mateen Cleaves
2001 Duke Shane Battier
2002 Maryland Juan Dixon
2003 Syracuse Carmelo Anthony
2004 Connecticut Emeka Okafor
2005 North Carolina Sean May
2006 Florida Joakim Noah
2007 Florida Corey Brewer
2008 Kansas Mario Chalmers
2009 North Carolina Wayne Ellington
2010 Duke Kyle Singler
2011 Connecticut Kemba Walker
2012 Kentucky Anthony Davis
2013 Louisville Luke Hancock
2014 Connecticut Shabazz Napier
2015 Duke Tyus Jones
2016 Villanova Ryan Arcidiacono
2017 North Carolina Joel Berry
2018 Villanova Donte DiVincenzo
2019 Virginia Kyle Guy
2020 Canceled N/A
2021 Baylor Jared Butler
2022 Kansas Ochai Agbaji
2023 UConn Adama Sanogo

March Madness Betting Strategy

With so many games happening during the tournament and so much to take in, it is very useful to have a strategy when making March Madness bets. There are multiple factors to consider which we have outlined below.

  • Take advantage of early lines: The March Madness basketball betting odds will be available for individual games after the brackets are released on Selection Sunday. If you see a spread that catches your eye, don’t be afraid to place the bet immediately. This is because the spreads fluctuate based on the money being wagered on that specific team. If a lot of people start wagering money on that team the odds will decrease.
  • Have a disciplined approach: It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the tournament and lay down a big first wager. This is not advisable and you should never bet your entire balance on one game. The general rule of thumb is to bet 1-5% of your account balance on one game.
  • Use Live Betting features:  Using live betting can be a rewarding and beneficial strategy. If a team that is heavily favored are down early in a game, which can easily happen, you would be able to take a live bet for a smaller spread and increase your potential winnings.
  • Research analytic stats: Research is key to any winning betting strategy. Brushing up on team and player stats from the regular season and in games in the early stage of the tournament can give you the edge when placing your bets.
  • Be aware of the seeds you are betting on: You may see a team that has an impressive record for this season and has fantastic odds to win a game, this may seem too good to be true and it probably is. Many lower seeds have a stellar records but play in a smaller conference. If a team is a low seed it is almost always for a good reason.

Favorites to Win March Madness

This year’s favorite to win March Madness going into the tournament is the UConn Huskies who currently hold the number three spot in the KenPom rankings. They’ve had a fantastic season with a 31-1 record. At BetOnline, they currently have odds of +450 to win whereas most other sites have them at around +520.

While they are the favorites they are by no means runaway favorites. Houston, North Carolina State, and Purdue are all highly favored by sportsbooks to lift the trophy. History also indicates that is likely one of these 4 teams will be the winner as 64% of all tournaments have been won by a number 1 seed.

Best Odds to Win March Madness

As previously stated UConn Huskies are the favorites going into the tournament and they have been the most consistent team this season.

Houston, North Carolina State, and Purdue are the other top picks and their odds vary from around +800 to +1200. They have all had decent seasons with records only slightly worse than UConn’s. UConn is of course the returning champion and will be hoping to go back-to-back. Anyone of these teams has a very good chance of winning

If you fancy slightly more of a long-shot bet but still have a decent chance of winning the tournament you might want to back Creighton at around +2500. They had a poor start to the season with a six-game losing streak but since then have looked much stronger. Virginia also has similar odds to Creighton and stands a chance as they have a top coach in Tony Bennet who has won a championship previously.

When it comes to which sites offer the best odds it’s not that easy as no one site has the best odds for every bet. All the sites from our list have very competitive odds. When it comes to consistency across the board we found BetOnline, Bovada, and MyBookie were top of the pile.

The best odds to win March Madness for the favorites, UConn, are found at BetOnline who at the time of writing have them listed at +450 which is about +100 more than any other site, so if you want to back the Huskies, BetOnline is the best choice. However, Bovada has much better odds for the Houston Cougars with them at +750 but BetOnline has them listed at only +700.

March Madness Bracket Odds

March Madness Bracket Odds

The NCAA tournament is divided into four brackets. Every year college basketball fans participate in bracket contests in an attempt to win big cash prizes.

In a bracket contest, individuals must select the winner of each game in the tournament. There are a total of 67 games in the tournament but most brackets don’t include the first four play-in games and start from the first round of 64 teams so there are 63 games individuals must predict the outcome of.

The chances of a perfect bracket are slim to none. In fact, according to the NCAA the chances of correctly picking the winner of all 63 games for a perfect bracket is 1 in 9.2 quintillions, yes, we said quintillion. No one has ever verifiably completed a perfect bracket. The longest known streak was in 2019 when a man correctly predicted the first 49 games but game 50 saw an end to his streak.

Because the chances are so slim, the winner of the various brackets is usually decided by who has the most accurate bracket. Also, some sites offer sweet sixteen and elite eight brackets where the chances of winning are higher but the prizes are lower. The brackets are not to be confused with prop bets. Most of the sites discussed on this page have bracket promotions.

What is the Best Betting Site for March Madness Odds?

We find BetOnline to be the best betting site for March Madness odds and lines available to bettors in all 50 US states. There, you can find a wealth of options and features to help ensure that you get the most out of your sports betting experience for March Madness 2024 and beyond.

BetOnline Sports logo

50% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Play Now

March Madness FAQs

Where can I bet on college basketball national championship odds?

Who is the current favorite for March Madness 2024?

How do I bet on NCAA March Madness?

Who won the last March Madness in 2021?

Author photo
Ernest Masuka
Senior Casino Journalist

Ernest Masuka has cultivated his expertise in the realm of casino gaming, drawing from years of hands-on experience as a casino floor manager. Over the las five years, he has dedicated himself to crafting in-depth online gaming guides and reviews. Joining Basketball Insiders as a freelance content writer in 2021, he has since ascended to a prominent role as a full-time contributing writer. His previous affiliations include contributions to notable online platforms like SilentBet and TopBettingSites.

All posts by Ernest Masuka
Author photo
Ernest Masuka Senior Casino Journalist

Ernest Masuka has cultivated his expertise in the realm of casino gaming, drawing from years of hands-on experience as a casino floor manager. Over the las five years, he has dedicated himself to crafting in-depth online gaming guides and reviews. Joining Basketball Insiders as a freelance content writer in 2021, he has since ascended to a prominent role as a full-time contributing writer. His previous affiliations include contributions to notable online platforms like SilentBet and TopBettingSites.

All posts by Ernest Masuka