Who Are the Favorites for March Madness?

March Madness has finally arrived.

And you know what that means.

Winter is over, spring is starting, and it’s time for some brackets (and betting).

It’s why basketball fans love this part of the year.

Heading into this year’s NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, there’s a lot to look forward to, with most fans already filling out their March Madness brackets and making some bold predictions about which team will be lifting the trophy on April 7. If you’re thinking about doing the same, too, this March Madness guide is going to take a closer look at this year’s favorites in what’s shaping up to be an all-time classic.

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🏀💰 Who Are the Favourites for March Madness?

As reported on industry-leading site Gamble USA, Duke (+310) are the current March Madness favorites with FanDuel. Just behind them are Florida (+400), Auburn (+500), and Houston (+700). However, the overriding belief amongst media experts and fans is that it’s a toss-up between Duke and Florida for the NCAA men’s basketball championship , with both teams looking extremely good this year.

If you’ve been following the NCAA this season, you won’t be surprised by Duke being the 1-seed in the East region and overall favourites to win March Madness.

Duke finished the regular season with a 31-3 record before following it up with a huge win over the Louisville Cardinals to win the ACC title, so all of the momentum is with them. And during the regular season, freshman Cooper Flagg — who will be the key in Duke winning March Madness — has been sensational, too, earning himself a spot as the No.1 overall pick for the 2025 NBA Draft.

The only slight problem is Flagg recently experienced a left ankle injury in the ACC quarter-finals, which is why Duke’s betting odds took a hit (although they’re still the outright favorites to win). Flagg himself hasn’t played since that quarter-final game, so fans are naturally worried. However, coach Jon Scheyer recently confirmed that Flagg is looking good and is expected to play this Friday when the Blue Devils open the NCAA tournament. If Flagg returns healthy and firing, there’s every chance that Duke will be this year’s March Madness champions.

Don’t rule out Florida just yet, though. The 1-seed in the West Region has also been excellent this season, with BetMGM deciding to make them the championship betting favourite following ‘Selection Sunday’. The Gators have looked immense — especially over their past 13 games, which they’ve won 12 of — with star players like Walter Clayton Jr. and Alex Condon being at the center of it all. With Clayton Jr., it’s easy to see why some see him as the best young player in the country. The guy is a serious nuclear shooter, has insane balance and range, and is a constant threat whenever he crosses the halfcourt. Much like Flagg is for Duke, Clayton Jr. could be the deciding factor as to whether Florida wins this year’s March Madness — so he’s definitely one of the players to keep an eye on.

Outside of Duke and Florida, you also have Auburn, Houston, Alabama, and Tennessee as the other top picks. However, if you’re planning to bet on March Madness over the next few weeks, it’s generally recommended you stick with either Duke or Florida, as these are the two teams who are by far most likely to win.

When Does March Madness Start?

Following ‘Selection Sunday’ — which saw the Auburn Tigers, Duke Blue Devils, Houston Cougars, and Florida Gators all gain respective No. 1 seed positions — the first set of ‘First Four’ games for March Madness are set to officially begin on March 19. The tournament will then conclude on April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. There’s going to be plenty of action over the next three weeks, so you definitely won’t want to miss any of it.

How to Watch March Madness

If you’re hoping to watch March Madness in 2025, the good news is that it’s super easy to do. There are plenty of streaming options on the table here, including Max, Paramount+, Hulu, and YouTube TV. And if you want to watch for free, you can download the March Madness app, sign in with your TV provider, and get access to every game — yep, every game — at absolutely no cost. March Madness has never been more accessible.

Who Won March Madness 2024?

Fans will no doubt remember last year when the No. 1 overall seed — Uconn — won its second straight championship by beating Purdue 75-60 in the final. This year, though, the two-time defending champion team is seeded at No. 8 following a relatively disappointing season, which saw them finish third in their conference. Will they win the tournament again this year? It’s highly unlikely, but they’ll still be looking to get off to a good start against Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament first round.

Summary

This year’s March Madness is shaping up to be another great one. You can expect lots of action, shock eliminations, and a likely outcome of either Duke or Florida bringing home the trophy. Whatever happens, make sure you watch all the games and don’t forget to fill out your own March Madness bracket before it all begins.

I (AKA CatBurg) have a lifelong passion for sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports betting and everything in between. My teams are (Packers #GoPackGo) and who I am betting on!