March Madness 2025 Best Bets

Henry Palattella
Henry Palattella

Mar 21 | 2025

The NCAA Tournament is a 67-game marathon with plenty of drama, upsets, and buzzer-beaters. It’s also a paradise for bettors, as the wall-to-wall action means countless betting opportunities are available. 

Here are our five favorite bets that are available ahead of the start of this year’s tournament. 

All odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook and subject to change. 

March Madness 2025 Best Bets 

McNeese State to reach the Sweet Sixteen (+700)

One of our favorite upset picks, McNeese State is a mid-major powerhouse and seems poised to bust brackets around the nation. The Cowboys dominated the Southland Conference this year, and have the makeup that every team in the Midwest region should be sacred of.

They’ll face off against a beatable Clemson team in the Round of 64 before facing off against either Purdue or High Point in the Round of 32. 

Last year’s bracket featured a double-digit seed (No. 11 seed NC State) and we think McNeese State is this year’s version. 

If you’re feeling feisty, it might be worth putting a little sprinkle on them to advance to the Elite Eight (+3900). Their biggest threats from the bottom of the bracket are Tennessee and Kentucky (the region’s no. 2 and 3 seeds, respectively). They’re both talented teams, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them get upset earlier in the tournament. 

Texas A&M to reach the Final Four (+1200)

Yes, the Aggies are coming off an upset loss to Texas in the SEC Tournament, but we love their chances to go far even though they’re in a challenging region. 

While they’re in the same region as Auburn (who got the No. 1 seed and is entering the tournament as the top overall seed), the Aggies gave the Tigers one of their two conference losses when they beat them 83-72 weeks ago. 

They limited Johni Broome to just eight points in the win, which is their recipe for success. The Aggies are limited on offense, but they play stifling defense, get offense boards and get to the foul line. 

Broome’s still not 100%, and Bruce Pearl’s coach teams always seem to fade whenever they’re faced with some kind of expectations. They got upset in the first round last year and could be due for another big upset this year. 

Outside of the Tigers, the biggest threats in the region come in the form of No. 3 Iowa State and No. 2 Marquette, but they’re both on the other side of the bracket. Texas A&M has the talent to beat either in the Elite Eight. 

A No. 4 seed has made the Final Four in the past two seasons, and we think Texas A&M is this year’s version.

UC San Diego to cover +2.5 spread against Michigan in the Round of 64 (-110)

The first non-futures bet on this list, the Tritons are in the midst of a 15-game winning streak and have made the tournament in their first year of eligibility. 

They’re a veteran team led by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, who averaged 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game en route to winning Big West Player of the Year. They’re a pesky team and could cause trouble to a Michigan team that’s struggled with turnovers. 

The Wolverines are in their first season with Dusty May at the helm, and they responded to his leadership by winning the Big Ten title. They have two legit big men in Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, but they will be going against one of the hottest teams in the nation. 

The Tritons should clear this small spread — if not win the game outright (+116). 

At least one No. 1 seed to reach the Final Four (+220)

This seems like free money. While there have been more upsets in the tournament as of late, at least one No. 1 seed has reached the Final Four in 11 of the past 12 tournaments. The lone exception was 2023 when a No. 4 seed (UConn) two No. 5 seeds (Miami (FL) and San Diego State) and a No. 9 seed (FAU) made the Final Four. 

While we’re not super high on Auburn, it wouldn’t be surprising to see any of these No. 1 seeds make the Final Four and end up cutting down the nets. 

The conversation starts with Duke, who is led by star freshman Cooper Flagg, who is set to be the No. 1 pick in this summer’s NBA Draft. He’s one of three likely first-round draft picks on the roster (along with Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach) and is complemented by some veteran guards. 

Flagg missed most of the ACC Tournament with an ankle sprain that’s put his status up in the air for the Blue Devils’ opener, but that should impact their ability to make the Final Four. 

Florida and Houston are the No. 1 seeds at the bottom of the bracket, and they both have the ingredients needed for a deep run. 

Florida has a stellar backcourt of Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin with a rotation that’s oozing with height and athleticism, while Houston’s defense is unrivaled. 

At least one of these top seeds will go down ahead of the Final Four, but we also think at least one of them will make it to the last weekend.,,

St. John’s wins the National Championship (+2800)

…but that still doesn’t mean that a No. 1 seed will win it all. 

We’re backing the Red Storm to make a wild run through the West bracket and take home the championship at the end of the tournament. 

The Johnnies are coached by legendary coach Rick Pitino, who has sent six schools to the NCAA Tournament. They may not score at the clip you’d want from a powerhouse, but they might be the nation’s best defensive team, and it seems like a guarantee that they won’t go down without a fight. 

Yes, they struggle to shoot (they shot just 26.8% from 3-point range during conference play) and don’t have many guys who can create their own shot, but they force opponents to beat them. 

It’s time for Pitino to cut down the nets. 

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The NCAA Tournament is a 67-game marathon with plenty of drama, upsets, and buzzer-beaters. It’s also a paradise for bettors, as the wall-to-wall action means countless betting opportunities are available. 





Here are our five favorite bets that are available ahead of the start of this year’s tournament. 





All odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook and subject to change. 





March Madness 2025 Best Bets 





McNeese State to reach the Sweet Sixteen (+700)





One of our favorite upset picks, McNeese State is a mid-major powerhouse and seems poised to bust brackets around the nation. The Cowboys dominated the Southland Conference this year, and have the makeup that every team in the Midwest region should be sacred of.





They’ll face off against a beatable Clemson team in the Round of 64 before facing off against either Purdue or High Point in the Round of 32. 





Last year’s bracket featured a double-digit seed (No. 11 seed NC State) and we think McNeese State is this year’s version. 




 




If you’re feeling feisty, it might be worth putting a little sprinkle on them to advance to the Elite Eight (+3900). Their biggest threats from the bottom of the bracket are Tennessee and Kentucky (the region's no. 2 and 3 seeds, respectively). They’re both talented teams, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them get upset earlier in the tournament. 





Texas A&M to reach the Final Four (+1200)





Yes, the Aggies are coming off an upset loss to Texas in the SEC Tournament, but we love their chances to go far even though they’re in a challenging region. 





While they’re in the same region as Auburn (who got the No. 1 seed and is entering the tournament as the top overall seed), the Aggies gave the Tigers one of their two conference losses when they beat them 83-72 weeks ago. 




 




They limited Johni Broome to just eight points in the win, which is their recipe for success. The Aggies are limited on offense, but they play stifling defense, get offense boards and get to the foul line. 





Broome’s still not 100%, and Bruce Pearl's coach teams always seem to fade whenever they’re faced with some kind of expectations. They got upset in the first round last year and could be due for another big upset this year. 





Outside of the Tigers, the biggest threats in the region come in the form of No. 3 Iowa State and No. 2 Marquette, but they’re both on the other side of the bracket. Texas A&M has the talent to beat either in the Elite Eight. 





A No. 4 seed has made the Final Four in the past two seasons, and we think Texas A&M is this year’s version.





UC San Diego to cover +2.5 spread against Michigan in the Round of 64 (-110)





The first non-futures bet on this list, the Tritons are in the midst of a 15-game winning streak and have made the tournament in their first year of eligibility. 





They’re a veteran team led by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, who averaged 19.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game en route to winning Big West Player of the Year. They’re a pesky team and could cause trouble to a Michigan team that’s struggled with turnovers. 




 




The Wolverines are in their first season with Dusty May at the helm, and they responded to his leadership by winning the Big Ten title. They have two legit big men in Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, but they will be going against one of the hottest teams in the nation. 





The Tritons should clear this small spread — if not win the game outright (+116). 





At least one No. 1 seed to reach the Final Four (+220)





This seems like free money. While there have been more upsets in the tournament as of late, at least one No. 1 seed has reached the Final Four in 11 of the past 12 tournaments. The lone exception was 2023 when a No. 4 seed (UConn) two No. 5 seeds (Miami (FL) and San Diego State) and a No. 9 seed (FAU) made the Final Four. 





While we’re not super high on Auburn, it wouldn’t be surprising to see any of these No. 1 seeds make the Final Four and end up cutting down the nets. 





The conversation starts with Duke, who is led by star freshman Cooper Flagg, who is set to be the No. 1 pick in this summer’s NBA Draft. He’s one of three likely first-round draft picks on the roster (along with Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach) and is complemented by some veteran guards. 




 




Flagg missed most of the ACC Tournament with an ankle sprain that’s put his status up in the air for the Blue Devils’ opener, but that should impact their ability to make the Final Four. 





Florida and Houston are the No. 1 seeds at the bottom of the bracket, and they both have the ingredients needed for a deep run. 





Florida has a stellar backcourt of Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin with a rotation that’s oozing with height and athleticism, while Houston’s defense is unrivaled. 





At least one of these top seeds will go down ahead of the Final Four, but we also think at least one of them will make it to the last weekend.,,





St. John’s wins the National Championship (+2800)





…but that still doesn’t mean that a No. 1 seed will win it all. 





We’re backing the Red Storm to make a wild run through the West bracket and take home the championship at the end of the tournament. 





The Johnnies are coached by legendary coach Rick Pitino, who has sent six schools to the NCAA Tournament. They may not score at the clip you’d want from a powerhouse, but they might be the nation’s best defensive team, and it seems like a guarantee that they won’t go down without a fight. 




 




Yes, they struggle to shoot (they shot just 26.8% from 3-point range during conference play) and don’t have many guys who can create their own shot, but they force opponents to beat them. 





It’s time for Pitino to cut down the nets. 

"
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