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What is the best part of March Madness? Some may say the opening round upsets. Others might say the incredible runs by teams like St. Peter’s, VCU, or George Mason. But why are all these things fun? Besides, you get your bracket and a chance to win bragging rights.
Money. Money is the key, and betting, whether it be games or futures, is the way to get it. Suppose you make the right bets. Finding those right wagers is the key. Let us look at some of my favorite plays this March.
(All Lines from FanDuel Sportsbook and current as of time of writing.)
March Madness Top Bets
Florida To Make Final Four (-125)| While the value is not great, Florida to the Final Four might be the best bet for the entire tournament. After crushing Alabama 104-82 in the SEC semi-finals, the Gators avenged an earlier loss to Tennessee with an 86-77 in the finals.
Florida was able to garner the final one seed with the tournament victory and, although shipped out west, were handed an easier draw having St. John’s, Texas Tech, and Maryland as the two, three, and four seeds, respectively. Going further down the ranks, Missouri and Kansas might cause some trouble, but these teams are both at the bottom of the bracket and would not face Florida until the Elite Eight.
I love this draw, and I love this team, which is averaging 85.4 points. Good for No. 3 in the country. Behind only Alabama and a Gonzaga team that is an eight-seed, the Zags’ lowest seed since they started breaking into the tournament and disrupting the norm.
Gonzaga to Sweet 16 (+280)| Over the past decade, three things have been certainties. Death, Taxes, and Gonzaga to the Sweet 16. The Zags have not missed the round of 16 since 2014, and while this season will be difficult, Gonzaga still has the talent to do it.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 👑🏆 pic.twitter.com/R8GzGZwWJN
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) March 12, 2025
After getting off to a slow start on the season, Mark Few and Gonzaga started to find themselves before the West Coast Conference, a tournament they won yet again. This garnered them an eight-seed and a matchup against a scrappy Georgia team. It also left them with a second-round game against a Houston Cougars team that still has the stink of last season when they lost to Duke after Jamal Shead was injured in the first half and could not return.
Although Houston is the favorite to come out of the Midwest region at (+130), they also have the shortest odds of any of the one-seeds to do so. Houston has a legendary defense. something the Cougars have sustained under Kelvin Sampson. But Gonzaga, with the No. 2 ranked offense at 86.6 points, will have the firepower and the size to make things difficult for Houston again in 2025.
If the Zags fail to make the Sweet 16, it would not be a major shock. But I am willing to wager a unit or two that they will figure it out at crunch time.
March Madness Top Longshot Bets
Yale to the Sweet 16 (+920)| The Bulldogs are going up against one of my favorite teams to bust in Texas A&M in round one. Should the Ivy Leaguers make it past the Aggies, they will take on the winner of Michigan and New Mexico.
Both teams like to push the ball up and down the floor when needed. Yale can do this with the best of them finishing the 2024-25 season with a top-25 offense averaging 81.7 points -- higher than both New Mexico and Michigan. Their ability to score allows them to pull off the upsets needed to make the Sweet 16. I am not asking them to make a Final Four run. I just need them to win two games. At (+920) odds, it is worth a play.
North Carolina to the Elite 8 (+900)| While seemingly stupid to take the last team in to make a run this is the same position VCU found itself in and they pulled off a Final Four run. And who can forget George Mason, Florida Gulf Coast, and St. Peter’s? UNC has one thing those teams did not. The talent to match up with any team they face.
After dominating San Diego State, a game against an up-and-down Ole Miss team awaits them. Chris Beard has done wonderfully with the Rebels, but they still lack the talent of the Tar Heels.
A HUGE game from RJ Davis to lead UNC to a W in the NCAA tournament 🔥
🏀 26 PTS
🏀 6-6 3-PT FG pic.twitter.com/3XtEHvd0yo— ESPN (@espn) March 19, 2025
A potential game against Iowa State will certainly be tough. The Cyclones gained a No. 3 seed by advancing through what was considered the toughest league in the country. The Big 12 disappointed this season. Baylor and Kansas were both down, and the only team to hold up its end of the bargain was Houston.
Iowa State also had some inexplicable and sizable losses showing they can be beaten by anyone. This includes an 80-61 loss to a Kansas State team that failed to make the tournament. The Kansas State game was immediately followed by a 69-51 loss to Kansas. Perhaps their worst loss was a 74-68 loss to an Oklahoma State squad that finished 15-17. UNC can take down the Cyclones, leaving just one game between you and this bet hitting. Besides, what is life without a few chances?
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