March Madness Bracketology Odds & Picks: 3 Mid-Major Cinderellas

Receiving a top-five seed in the 2025 men's NCAA tournament is a notable accomplishment, but that standing could also set up an early exit. In recent memory, Cinderellas aren't very kind. Over the last decade, we've seen a pair of No. 16 seeds deliver first-round upsets for the first time in March Madness history, and three No. 15s advanced the Sweet 16. Heck, Saint Peter's tallied an Elite Eight appearance in 2022. Let's assess the latest bracketology and correlated March Madness odds, focusing on which mid-major teams may provide an unprecedented Final Four run.

Click any bracketology odds below to place a wager. We recommend checking out the best sportsbook promos at the best sports betting sites.

best college basketball betting promos

#

Sportsbook

Bonus

Features

Bet

1

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

• Wide coverage of US and international sports
• Linked to MGM Rewards loyalty program
• Regular odds boosts and promos

Bet Now BetMGM Review

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

2

New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES

• Wide coverage of US and international sports
• High-quality iOS and Android apps
• Very fast withdrawal times

Bet Now DraftKings Review

To be eligible for DraftKings Sportsbook and the Promotion, you must be physically located in AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR (residents only), TN, VA, VT, WY, WV, CA-ONT or CA-AB (each an “Eligible Jurisdiction” or, collectively, the “Eligible Jurisdictions”). Must be 21+ years of age or older (18+ if in DC/NH/PR/WY/CA-AB) (19+ in CA-ONT). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA) Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

3

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days

Bet Now FanDuel Review

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB

4

Get Up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash

• Unique FanCash loyalty program
• Variety of bonuses and ongoing promos
• Fast, reliable app with live betting and streaming

Bet Now Fanatics Review

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

bracketology predictions: final four odds

[tallysight url="https://tallysight.com/new/widget/tile/ncaab/org:the-lines/event:2024-25-futures/topic:ncaab-final-four-2024-2025-teams-to-make-the-final-four/variant:2/deeplinks?id=f4c0ec5d-1089-42b1-a684-0979dc0cfaba"]

1. UC San Diego Tritons: [tallysight-widget type="odds-text" id="67bf7bf67665610c6aee8304"]

Per Bracket Matrix, which combines projections from the most accurate bracketologists on the interweb, Eric Olen's squad is best-positioned for a 12-seed in March Madness. Bettors have recently taken an interest in the Tritons' odds to make the Final Four — with their price down to +6500 at FanDuel Sportsbook.

UC San Diego has wasted no time in its first year of March Madness eligibility. Already a viable at-large contender, the Tritons boast a top-30 adjusted defensive efficiency (AdjD) on Haslametrics — neck-and-neck with notable Final Four contenders like Wisconsin and Michigan. They're 10-2 in true road games, including a win at 24-5 Utah State. They rank top-10 at both ends of the turnover war, only giving it away on 13.9% of their possessions while forcing opponents to cough up the ball at more than 1.5 times that rate (23.4%).

Do-it-all wing Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones oozes with a name that most have never come across until the mid-afternoon 5-12 upset materializes.

2. McNeese Cowboys: [tallysight-widget type="odds-text" id="67bf7be8b62b594ce4cf6e1d"]

Last year, McNeese commanded respect in the betting market despite serving as the quintessential upset pick gone wrong in a blowout loss to Gonzaga. This time, Will Wade's team has a similar yet more dangerous aura.

Like the Tritons, the Cowboys are a projected 12-seed among bracketology odds and force turnovers at a top-20 rate, thanks to five players averaging at least one steal per matchup. Their stingy defense offsets their unimposing length. As long as they avoid a perimeter shootout (228th nationally in 3-point attempt rate), their roster is capable of a deep run in the right region.

Injury-wise, Providence transfer Alyn Breed, who averaged 17.5 points in the first two matchups before suffering a knee injury, is unlikely to return this season.

3. Bradley Braves: +25000

Unlike Missouri Valley leader Drake, Bradley must win Arch Madness to nab a ticket to the Big Dance. If the Braves upend the Bulldogs, Northern Iowa, or an upset bidder, they would likely earn a 13-seed for the NCAA tournament.

Brian Wardle's crew is atop D-I in 3-point efficiency (41.1%), ahead of Villanova and Houston by almost an entire percentage point. Only one player in his rotation hasn't attempted a single triple all season. Historically, there's a greater chance of a mid-major upset when a team can space the court and win the battle of long-range variance.

Loyola-Chicago accomplished this feat in 2018, shooting at least 38.1% from deep in its four wins before Michigan took care of the Ramblers in San Antonio — the same site as this year's Final Four.

Search for more march madness odds

[tallysight-widget type="bet-finder" id="67be4014dc97b3d36792594d"]