2025 March Madness Betting Odds: NCAA Tournament First Round Spreads, Moneylines, Totals

, , , ,
Written By Tim Heaney | Last Updated
Auburn's Johni Broome

The first slate of 2025 March Madness odds tips off on Tuesday with the First Four odds before first-round odds begin on Thursday in the Round of 64. Online sportsbooks have released markets for the upcoming games just after the bracket was revealed on Selection Sunday.

The single-elimination tournament continues through the Final Four in San Antonio on April 5 and the national championship game on April 7.

Find the best odds for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament after sportsbooks open them. We’re referencing DraftKings Sportsbook’s March Madness opening lines for the spread and over/under below, which were posted immediately after the bracket was released up through 6:40 p.m. ET on March 16. Click on the tables below to bet now.

SOUTH Region First-Round Odds

Opening Odds After Selection Sunday Show

GameFavoriteUnderdogOver/Under
(1) Auburn vs. (16) Alabama St/Saint Francis (PA)Auburn -31.5ASU +31.5150.5
(8) Louisville vs. (9) CreightonLouisville -1.5Creighton +1.5144.5
(5) Michigan vs. (12) UC San DiegoMichigan -3.5UC San Diego +3.5140.5
(4) Texas A&M vs. (13) YaleTexas A&M -7.5Yale +7.5140.5
(6) Ole Miss vs. (11) North CarolinaOle Miss +1.5SDSU/UNC -1.5155.5
(3) Iowa State vs. (14) LipscombIowa State -13.5Lipscomb +13.5142.5
(7) Marquette vs. (10) New MexicoMarquette -2.5New Mexico +2.5151.5
(2) Michigan State vs. (15) BryantMSU -19.5Bryant +19.5150.5

The South Region is potentially the most loaded in the NCAA Tournament. Auburn is the top overall seed and one of the favorites to win it all. Michigan is coming off a Big Ten Tournament title. Michigan State is the regular season Big Ten champ, and teams like Marquette and Iowa State have some excellent veteran guards who will be tough matchups for any opponent.

Key Matchups

No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton

The 8/9 matchups are always good, but each team has been in the top 25 at various points this season. Creighton has one of the best centers in college basketball in Ryan Kalkbrenner at 7-foot-1 (19.4 PPG & 8.8 RPG), and they surround him with strong scoring guards like Steven Ashworth (16.3 PPG 36.9% 3P%) and Jamiya Neal (11.5 PPG). Louisville can score the basketball as well as anyone. They have four guards averaging double figures, and when they get hot from three, they can run teams out of the gym.

No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 13 Yale

If you are looking for a double-digit seed to pull an upset in the South Region, keep your eyes on Yale. The Bulldogs have tournament experience, as this is their third appearance in the last four seasons. Last season, they pulled an upset as a #13 seed over Auburn, so they are not strangers to this moment. Look for John Poulakidas, who dropped 28 against Auburn last season and has had a stronger senior season for Yale, averaging 19 PPG and shooting 40.2% from three.

South Region Betting: Current Odds

No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 16 Alabama State

No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 15 Bryant

No. 3 Iowa State vs. No. 14 Lipscomb

No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 13 Yale

No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 12 UC San Diego

No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 North Carolina

No. 7 Marquette vs. No. 10 New Mexico

No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton

EAST Region first-round odds

Opening Odds After Selection Sunday Show

GameFavoriteUnderdogOver/Under
(1) Duke vs. American/MSMDuke TBDAmerican/MSM TBD
(8) Mississippi State vs. (9) BaylorBaylor -1.5MSU +1.5146.5
(5) Oregon vs. (12) LibertyOregon -4.5Liberty +4.5139.5
(4) Arizona vs. (13) AkronArizona -15.5Akron +15.5166.5
(6) BYU vs. (11) VCUBYU -2.5VCU +2.5142.5
(3) Wisconsin vs. (14) MontanaWisconsin -18.5Montana +18.5148.5
(7) Saint Mary’s vs. (10) VanderbiltSaint Mary’s -5.5Vanderbilt +5.5135.5
(2) Alabama vs. (15) Robert MorrisAlabama -22.5Robert Morris +22.5164.5

The East Region is led by most sportsbooks betting favorite to win it all: the Duke Blue Devils. It will be crucial for Duke to get Cooper Flagg back if they want to make a run. Teams like Oregon, BYU, and Wisconsin have shown that when at their best, they can beat anyone in the country.

Key Matchups

No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 Baylor

This is a fantastic eight-nine matchup between two power conference schools that each stand a great chance to give Duke all they can handle in the second round. The matchup between two of the most talented guards in the country in Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe (15 PPG) and Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard (18.7 PPG), should be a great watch. Expect at least one of these two guys to go off for a huge scoring game, maybe even both.

No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 13 Akron

Arizona’s season has been a roller coaster, and they are as likely to go on a deep run as they are to lose in the first round. Meanwhile, Akron is playing some of the best basketball in the country, having won 21 of its last 22 games. If Caleb Love for Arizona has one of his high-volume, low-scoring games, the Zips could put the Wildcats on upset watch.

East Region Betting Odds

No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 American/Mount St. Mary’s

Odds post after American vs. Mount St. Mary’s is settled in the play-in game.

No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 15 Robert Morris

No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 14 Montana

No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 13 Akron

No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 Liberty

No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 VCU

No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Vanderbilt

No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 Baylor

MIDWest Region First-Round odds

Opening Odds After Selection Sunday Show

GameFavoriteUnderdogOver/Under
(1) Houston vs. (16) SIU-EdwardsvilleHouston -25.5SIU-Edwardsville +25.5127.5
(8) Gonzaga vs. (9) GeorgiaGonzaga -4.5Georgia +4.5150.5
(5) Clemson vs. (12) McNeeseClemson -7.5McNeese +7.5133.5
(4) Purdue vs. (13) High PointPurdue -10.5High Point +10.5151.5
(6) Illinois vs. (11) Texas/XavierIllinois TBDTexas/Xavier TBDTBD
(3) Kentucky vs. (14) TroyKentucky -10.5Troy +10.5152.5
(7) UCLA vs. (10) Utah StateUCLA -5.5Utah State +5.5144.5
(2) Tennessee vs. (15) WoffordTennessee -18.5Wofford +18.5133.5

The Midwest region has good sleeper teams like Georgia, McNeese, Illinois, and UCLA. If we had to pick one region for the number one seed and not go to the Final Four, this is it, as Houston has a tough path.

Key Matchups

No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 9 Georgia

This matchup should be a lot of fun, and don’t be shocked if the winner of this game upsets Houston in the second round. The post-matchup between senior Graham Ike (17.1 PPG & 7.5 RPG) of Gonzaga and freshman Asa Newell (15.3 PPG & 6.8 RPG) of Georgia could be explosive. Will the crafty veteran get the job done, or will the talented freshman’s athleticism be too much?

No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 McNeese

Clemson is excellent but might lack the guard scoring to make a run, while McNeese is in its second NCAA Tournament and is a trendy upset pick. What makes McNeese so strong is that they are incredibly balanced, with not a player to identify as the go-to guy but five players averaging double figures, making it hard to slow them down.

Midwest Region Betting Odds

No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 SIU Edwardsville

No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Wofford

No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Troy

No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 13 High Point

No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 McNeese State

No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 Texas/Xavier

Odds post after Texas vs. Xavier is settled in the play-in game.

No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 Utah State

No. 8. Gonzaga vs. No. 9 Georgia

west Region First-Round odds

Opening Odds After Selection Sunday Show

GameFavoriteUnderdogOver/Under
(1) Florida vs. (16) Norfolk StateFlorida -25.5Norfolk State +25.5153.5
(8) UConn vs. (9) OklahomaUConn -4.5Oklahoma +4.5147.5
(5) Memphis vs. (12) Colorado StateColorado State -2.5Memphis +2.5146.5
(4) Maryland vs. (13) Grand CanyonMaryland -11.5Grand Canyon +11.5149.5
(6) Missouri vs. (11) DrakeMissouri -4.5Drake +4.5132.5
(3) Texas Tech vs. (14) UNC WilmingtonTexas Tech -15.5UNC Wilmington +15.5142.5
(7) Kansas vs. (10) ArkansasKansas -4.5Arkansas +4.5144.5
(2) St. John’s vs. (15) OmahaSt. John’s -18.5Omaha +18.5147.5

The West Region is Florida’s to lose, but two-seed St. Johns is playing as well as anyone in the country. One of the favorite sleeper teams in the field is in the region with Drake, and teams like Memphis, Kansas, and Texas Tech have the talent to make a run.

Key Matchup

No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Drake

A few weeks ago, Missouri looked like a potential two or three-seed but only won two of their final six games. They get a horrible matchup, too, facing Drake, who is 30-3 on the season and, simply put, is better than their seed, but they play in the MVC. Drake beat every team they faced from power conferences, including Miami, Vanderbilt, and Kansas State. Bennet Stirtz is a star, and don’t be surprised if he drops 25+ points as Drake pulls off the upset.

West Region Betting Odds

No. 1 Florida vs. No. 16 Norfolk State

No. 2 St. John’s vs. No. 15 Omaha

No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 UNC Wilmington

No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 13 Grand Canyon

No. 5 Memphis vs. No. 12 Colorado State

No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Drake

No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas

No. 8. UConn vs. No. 9 Oklahoma

watcH: march madness betting preview

YouTube video preview OXQT_yhnXDY

You can subscribe to the audio-only version of the show on AppleSpotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

USE MARCH MADNESS ODDS FOR BRACKET CHALLENGES

Sign up for the best free bracket contests, and use these odds to bet on Round 1 NCAA Tournament matchups.

TheLines is running a Perfect 16 game: Anyone who picks all teams correctly to reach the Sweet 16 will win $1K.

BEST College Basketball Sportsbook promo codes

Rank
Sportsbooks
Bonus
Features
Play
1
Up to $1,500
In Bonus Bets
BetMGM Sportsbook Review
  • Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*

  • *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

  • Use Bonus Code: THELINES

2
Up to $1,000
In Bonus Bets
Bet365 Sportsbook Review
  • Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
  • OR First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000
  • 30% Extra on Same Game Parlay Profit
  • T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER 21+
  • Use Bonus Code: THELINES
3
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings
On Next 10 Wagers
Caesars Sportsbook Review
  • Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
  • 21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
  • Use Promo Code: THELINESDYW
4
Bet $5
Get $250
In Bonus Bets
FanDuel Sportsbook Review
  • Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins
  • Available on Desktop, Android & iOS
  • Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
5
Up to $100
In Bonus Bets
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook Review
  • Up to $100 in Bonus Bets if First Your Bet Doesn't Win
  • Get Your Bets Boosted
  • 21+. Gambling Problem? Call/Text 1-800-Gambler. T&Cs apply
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
6
Up to $1,000
In No Sweat Bets
Fanatics Sportsbook Review
  • Bet and Get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets or Choose Your Own Offer
  • Earn FanCash & Spend it on Team Swag or More Bets
  • 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
7
Up to $1,250 Bonus
New User Bonus. T&Cs Apply.
DraftKings Sportsbook Review
  • Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets

  • PLUS Get a $50 Bonus Bet on Deposit

  • PLUS up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus

  • Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

21+ in most states to use sportsbook bonus codes. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.

Where Can You Bet On College Basketball Player Props?

Among CBB online betting regulations, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia prohibit gambling on college basketball player props.

Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia don’t allow betting on in-state schools (some exceptions for playing in the tournament) and/or in-state player props. The remaining states with legal online sportsbooks, such as new bet365 state Tennessee, authorize wagering on college basketball player prop odds, including in-state teams.

Oregon does not allow online wagering on college sports. Sorry, Ducks flock.

RELATED ARTICLES


Sign up to our newsletter to get thelines latest hands-on reviews, expert advice, and exclusive offers delivered straight to your inbox.
You are already subscribed to our newsletter. Want to update your preferences data?
Thank you for signing up! You’re all set to receive the latest reviews, expert advice, and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Stay tuned!
Something went wrong. Please try again later