2025 March Madness Championship Odds, Betting Trends: UConn Eyes Three-peat

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

March Madness championship odds wait for nobody. Even before Purdue and UConn tipped off in Monday's 2024 title game, bookmakers posted odds to win 2025 March Madness.

And there are certainly discrepancies on the board. Caesars Sports is on an island, with UConn atop its 2025 March Madness odds. It's certainly understandable, after the Huskies hammered Purdue for a second straight title. Other sportsbooks leaned into Duke as the favorite.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2024-25 March Madness championship odds market: action, movement and betting trends. Check back regularly for updates, as bookmakers provide their insights on 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.

March Madness Odds

UConn or Duke?

On Monday night, UConn steamrolled Purdue in the second half en route to a 75-60 victory as 7-point chalk. It marked the second straight championship run for the Huskies, who are 12-0 SU and ATS across the 2023 and 2024 NCAA Tourneys.

In the wake of its latest title, UConn could lose all five of its starters. NBA mock drafts show standout sophomore big man Donovan Clingan and breakout freshman guard Stephon Castle going early in the first round, if they choose to declare.

Senior guard Tristen Newton could be a first-round pick, as well. Fellow senior guard Cam Spencer also moves on, and freshman forward Alex Karaban has a decision to make, too.

But Rich Zanco, lead college basketball trader for Caesars Sports, had no qualms with putting Connecticut atop the 2025 March Madness futures odds board. The Huskies opened Monday afternoon as the +1000 favorite.

"The Huskies lost some starters last year, too. You see their bench, and they don't seem to miss a beat," Zanco said. "UConn looked as impressive this year as it did last year, if not more impressive."

FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook have Duke as the favorite, at +1100 and +1000, respectively. FanDuel pegged UConn the +1800 sixth choice. DraftKings gave the Huskies a little more respect as the +1400 co-second choice with Kansas and North Carolina.

At Caesars, you can get Kansas and North Carolina at +2000. Duke is the +1400 third choice, behind UConn and Arizona (+1200).

"It's a little bit of a crap shoot right now anyway. With the transfer portal and coaching changes, there's gonna be a lot of volatility in this market," Zanco said. "Some of the numbers may be inviting to the bettors. We just figured we'll open it up and let the bettors have at it."

Flying Southeastern

In scrolling through Caesars' 2025 NCAA Tournament odds, one thing stands out: Zanco and the rest of the trading team are impressed with the SEC.

Kentucky doesn't even have a coach at the moment, with John Calipari somewhat surprisingly leaving for Arkansas. Yet the Wildcats are the +2200 seventh choice.

"You'd think they'll go after a big-name coach, bring in somebody of stature. The program is still held in high regard," Zanco said of a school that's had Calipari and Rick Pitino at the helm.

Names being bandied about at the moment: Alabama's Nate Oats, former Villanova coach Jay Wright, Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl and UConn coach Dan Hurley.

Kentucky is among a few SEC teams in the top 20 of Caesars' March Madness championship odds market. Alabama, fresh off a Final Four run, is right behind Kentucky at +2500. Auburn and Florida follow, with both at +3000.

After landing Calipari, Arkansas is +4000 to win the title. And Tennessee, which reached the Elite Eight this season, is just outside the top 20 at +5000.

"The SEC in general is gonna be competitive again," Zanco said. "Florida showed us a lot this year, so we shaded the Gators a little bit. Alabama will be in there if Oats stays. Maybe the Kentucky position will be inviting to him."

Flying Under the Radar

Zanco was a big fan of the Big East this season, and not just because of UConn. Creighton and Marquette had strong 2023-24 campaigns and made the NCAA Tournament.

Many observers thought Seton Hall should've been in the Big Dance. The Pirates dealt with the snub by winning the NIT. Another team has Zanco's early attention in March Madness odds for 2025.

"You might want to look at a team like Xavier," he said. "The Big East brand has been on point this year. So maybe somebody from the Big East that was on the outside looking in."

Xavier went a disappointing 15-16 SU this past season, losing a first-round NIT game to Georgia. Caesars has the Musketeers at +10000 (100/1) on the 2025 NCAA Tournament odds board.

Looking for more basketball betting action? Check out our NBA odds.

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