2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | March 17, 2025
Written by: Colby Marchio
Last Updated: Mon Mar 17, 2025, 15:42 PM
Read Time: 4 minutes
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If you are chasing value in this tournament, two bets stand out—a battle-tested powerhouse and a dangerous sleeper. The South Region is a brutal gauntlet, but whoever survives it will be primed to win it all, and one team has everything lining up at the perfect time. Meanwhile, an overlooked squad led by a legendary coach is built to shock the world, and the odds are too good to ignore.
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NCAA Tournament Winner Odds
Can Auburn finally get over the hump?
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Duke: +340
Florida: +375
Auburn: +425
Houston: +650
Michigan State: +1800
Alabama: +1800
Tennessee: +2200
St. John’s: +2200
Texas Tech: +2500
Iowa State: +2800
Arizona: +3500
Wisconsin: +4500
NCAA Tournament Winner Best Bet
Personally, I believe whoever emerges from the South Region will most likely win it all—just as we saw with UConn’s grueling path to the national title last year. This region is an absolute gauntlet, featuring Auburn, Michigan State, Iowa State, Texas A&M, Michigan, and Ole Miss.
I am very high on Auburn and Michigan State, but now that the bracket is finalized, I lean toward Auburn overall. The Tigers would be too much for the Spartans if they end up facing off. They have done nearly everything right this season, and the best thing that could have happened to them was losing in the conference tournament. Now, they can focus on the real goal—winning the whole damn thing.
Two weeks ago, I would have said Florida. I grabbed them at +750 back then, but now, with the second-best odds behind Duke, I would rather take Auburn at 4/1. After their win at Alabama, I convinced myself they are the best team in the country.
Best Bet: Auburn (+425) on BetOnline
Dark Horse Winner
How far can Rick Pitino take this St. John’s team?
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So, you want a team to win it all at 10/1 odds or higher? Look no further than my Italian bias—we are on St. John’s.
Why? For starters, they are one of the best-coached teams in the country, led by Rick Pitino. Sure, they have their flaws from beyond the arc and the free-throw line. However, they boast one of the nation’s best defenses and are among the most well-conditioned teams.
I am not usually a fan of teams that push the pace, as they tend to burn out in the tournament. However, the Red Storm are different. They do not just run and try to outscore opponents—they play immaculate lockdown defense. This season, they have held opponents to 65 points per game while scoring nearly 80.
Their path to the Final Four will be tough, with Florida, Texas Tech, and Maryland in the West Region. However, at these odds, they are well worth a shot, especially with the massive chip on their shoulder. You can also grab them to win the West at +650 on BetOnline.
Sprinkle Bet: St. John’s (+2200) on BetOnline
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Former D1 (club) baseball player, Colby has been betting since his college days at DePaul, where he had to endure the worst collegiate basketball the Big East has ever seen. He is an advanced analytics nerd who spends his free time on Bart Torvik, Ken Pom and Batters-Box.com. He has never seen an underdog he has not liked. Hot. Corn. Bull. It does not matter the dog he loves them all.
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