Duke, Arizona, and Michigan Lead NCAA Tournament Odds

As the NCAA Tournament begins, Duke, Arizona, and Michigan have emerged as the frontrunners to win the national championship, according to early futures released by oddsmakers. These three teams are favored in the +300 to +400 range, meaning a successful $1 wager would yield $3 to $4 in profit.

Tournament Favorites

Duke (32-2) currently holds the top spot, earning the No. 1 overall seed in the East Region after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. Duke defeated Virginia 74-70 to secure their second consecutive ACC Tournament championship under coach Jon Scheyer.

Arizona (32-2) is also a strong contender, securing the No. 1 seed in the West Region after winning the Big 12 tournament. Michigan (31-3) rounds out the top three, despite falling to Purdue in the Big Ten championship game.

Defending national champion Florida is positioned slightly behind the leaders, with odds ranging from +650 to +750.

Other Contenders

Following the top four seeds, Houston, Iowa State, and Illinois are considered the next most likely teams to win, with odds between +1000 and +2000. UConn and Purdue, both No. 2 seeds, fall into the +2500 to +3500 range.

First Four Games

The tournament kicks off with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio. Several matchups feature tight point spreads, including UMBC as a 2.5-point favorite over Howard, and Texas as a 1.5-point favorite over North Carolina State. Lehigh is favored by 2.5 over Prairie View A&M, while Miami (Ohio) is a 7.5-point underdog to SMU.

Tournament Schedule

The first full day of tournament action is Thursday, with 32 games scheduled. The remaining 32 games will be played on Friday. The tournament will culminate in Indianapolis with the Final Four on April 4 and the championship game on April 6.

Odds to Win the NCAA Tournament

• Duke (+300 / +380)
• Michigan (+360 / +390)
• Arizona (+390 / +340)
• Florida (+750 / +800)
• Houston (+1000 / +1300)
• Iowa State (+1500 / +1700)
• Illinois (+1900 / +2000)
• UConn (+2500 / +3500)
• Purdue (+2500 / +2700)
• Michigan State (+4000 / +6000)
• Virginia (+7500 / +6500)
• Gonzaga (+4000 / +7000)
• Arkansas (+6000 / +5000)
• St. John’s (+6000 / +10000)
• Kansas (+6000 / +10000)

–Field Level Media