NCAA Bracket Betting Stats Guide

CBS Sports

CBS Sports offers NCAA bracket betting lines for the March Madness tournament, with an estimated $10 billion dollars in bets across the country. According to the American Gaming Association, over 40 million people in the United States are expected to fill out a bracket this year, with an estimated 18 million of those individuals planning to bet on the tournament. CBS Sports has various types of bets available, including straight-up picks, point spreads, and over/under wagers. In addition, the site offers odds for individual games and updated bracket projections throughout the tournament.

ESPN

ESPN offers NCAA bracket betting lines for the annual college basketball tournament. According to a survey conducted by the American Gaming Association, over 47 million Americans bet on the NCAA tournament in 2019. One popular bet is the “point spread,” which is a handicap given to the favored team to level the playing field. Another popular bet is the “over/under,” where bettors wager on whether the total points scored in a game will be above or below a certain number. ESPN also offers live in-game betting, allowing bettors to wager on the outcome during the game. In 2019, March Madness betting was estimated to generate $8.5 billion in wagers, with $300 million being bet legally through sportsbooks.

Odds Shark

According to data from Odds Shark, the average seed-percentage difference in NCAA March Madness men’s basketball games is just 4.8%, making choosing winners a tough task. In fact, since 2004, only once have all four #1 seeds made the Final Four in the NCAA tournament. Betting lines can be influenced by variables such as team ranking, injuries, and historical records. The most common type of betting line is the point spread, where the favored team needs to win by more than the listed number of points for the bet to pay off. The NCAA tournament is a major event for sports betting, with an estimated $8.5 billion bet on March Madness games in 2019 alone.

SportsLine

According to SportsLine, the NCAA bracket betting lines change constantly throughout the tournament. The average point spread for a favorite is 8.3 points, while the underdog has an average spread of 5.2 points. In the 2019 tournament, Duke was the betting favorite with +200 odds to win the championship, followed by Gonzaga with +550 odds. The average point total for a game in the tournament is 142.6 points. Among all NCAA tournament games, the 2018 championship game between Villanova and Michigan had the highest over/under line, set at 146 points.

 

BetOnline

According to BetOnline’s NCAA bracket betting lines, the Duke Blue Devils are the favorite to win the tournament with +200 odds. The Gonzaga Bulldogs have the second-best odds at +500, while the Virginia Cavaliers and North Carolina Tar Heels have the third-best odds at +700. As for the first round of the tournament, there were nearly 18 million brackets filled out on ESPN’s website alone. Only 140 brackets correctly predicted all 32 first-round games.

Bovada

According to Bovada’s NCAA bracket betting lines, Gonzaga is the favorite to win the tournament with odds of +175. Other favorites include Baylor (+425) and Michigan (+700). The longest shot to win the championship is Iona with odds of +50000. Bovada also offers live betting for individual games throughout the tournament.

FanDuel

According to recent statistics, the NCAA bracket betting lines on FanDuel’s platform attract millions of users each year. In 2021, the Illinois Sports Betting handle jumped to an incredible $633 million, with a significant portion of bets made on college basketball brackets. FanDuel reported a 159% increase in bracket entries for NCAA tournaments, compared to the 2019 games. Furthermore, the National Council on Problem Gambling claims that 6% of college students in the USA have a gambling problem, a figure that raises concerns about the potential risks associated with NCAA bracket betting.

DraftKings

According to DraftKings, the NCAA basketball tournament generates over $8.5 billion in betting revenue each year. In 2019, over 47 million Americans filled out a bracket, with an estimated $8.5 billion wagered on the games. The odds of selecting a perfect bracket are nearly impossible, with a one in 9.2 quintillion chance of doing so. Despite the long odds, millions of people still participate in bracket pools, with the average bet per bracket being around $30. In addition to traditional bracket betting, DraftKings also offers daily fantasy sports contests for the tournament, with over $150 million in prizes awarded throughout the 2019 March Madness.

William Hill

According to Statista, William Hill is the fourth largest sports betting company in the world with a market share of 8.1%. The company offers odds on a variety of sports including basketball, football, soccer, and more. In terms of NCAA basketball, William Hill offers betting lines on all games throughout the tournament, including the Final Four and championship game. These betting lines can change frequently based on the performance of the teams and the actions of other bettors. William Hill also offers in-play betting, where individuals can place bets during the games based on the current score and other factors.

Point Spread

The Point Spread is a commonly used betting line in NCAA bracket betting. It is essentially a handicap given to the underdog team to level the playing field. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2019, March Madness generated $8.5 billion in wagers, with 34 million Americans placing bets. Of those bets, 47% were placed on the point spread. In addition, according to the NCAA, the men’s basketball tournament generates an estimated $1.1 billion in advertising revenue for CBS and Turner Broadcasting. The Point Spread allows for a more exciting and even match, making March Madness a thrilling time for both avid and casual sports bettors.

Moneyline

Over/Under

According to Odds Shark, the over/under betting line for NCAA basketball tournaments has been a popular option for bettors. The NCAA tournament’s 2021 over/under line set by oddsmakers was 138.5, as reported by Sports Illustrated. However, different games will have varying lines, causing changes in betting odds. For example, during the 2019 NCAA championship game between Virginia and Texas Tech, the over/under line was set at 118.5 points. Betting on the under would have won due to the total score being 117. Additionally, in a study by the American Gaming Association, it was estimated that over 47 million Americans planned on filling out a bracket for the 2021 NCAA tournament.

Las Vegas Odds

According to the latest Las Vegas Odds, the NCAA bracket betting lines have been set for the upcoming college basketball tournament. As of March 2021, Gonzaga is the favorite to win the national championship with +250 odds, followed by Baylor with +300 odds. The tournament’s overall top seed, Illinois, has been given +600 odds to win it all. Additionally, some experts predict that this year’s tournament could see more upsets than ever before due to the absence of traditional powerhouse teams like Duke and Kentucky.

March Madness

According to a report by the American Gaming Association, an estimated $8.5 billion was wagered on the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, with only 3% of bets placed legally through regulated sportsbooks. In addition, a survey by WalletHub found that the average adult planned to bet $29 on March Madness, with millennials being the demographic most likely to place bets. With such high levels of betting, it’s important to be aware of the current odds and betting lines. Bookmakers such as DraftKings and FanDuel release daily lines and spreads for each game, and regular updates to these lines can lead to significant fluctuations in potential payouts.

 

Final Four

The Final Four is the pinnacle of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and attracts millions of viewers and bettors each year. Betting lines for the Final Four are widely available from both legal and illegal bookmakers, with an estimated $10 billion being wagered on the tournament in 2019 alone. According to the American Gaming Association, 47 million Americans are expected to bet on the 2021 NCAA Tournament, with an estimated $8.4 billion in total wagers. The most popular Final Four bets include the point spread, moneyline, and total (over/under) bets. Additionally, prop bets such as tournament MVP and team-specific futures are also popular among bettors.

Duke Blue Devils

According to Odds Shark, as of March 16th, the Duke Blue Devils are favored to win the NCAA March Madness tournament with -165 odds. In their first game against North Dakota State, Duke is favored to win by 28.5 points with a projected total score of 151.5. The Blue Devils have a 33-2 overall record, ranking them third in the nation and first in the ACC conference. Duke’s top scorers, Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish, all average over 13 points per game and shoot over 45% from the field. If Duke were to win the tournament, it would mark their sixth championship under legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

North Carolina Tar Heels

The North Carolina Tar Heels have a storied history in NCAA basketball, with six national championships and 20 Final Four appearances. They are consistently a strong contender in the tournament and have had success in recent years, making it to the NCAA championship game in 2016 and the Sweet 16 in 2019. As of March 2021, the Tar Heels have a 16-9 record and are 7-7 in conference play. According to betting lines, North Carolina has an average preseason odds of +1200 to win the national championship, putting them among the top 15 teams in the country.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

According to Odds Shark, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have an average of +300 in NCAA betting lines, meaning a $100 bet on the Bulldogs to win the championship would result in a $300 profit. Additionally, Gonzaga has the highest scoring offense in the country, averaging 92.1 points per game, and has a impressive field goal percentage of 54.8%. With an overall record of 26-0, Gonzaga is favored to win the NCAA championship with the best odds in the league.

Virginia Cavaliers

The Virginia Cavaliers are a popular pick among NCAA bracket bettors, with their high ranking and strong season record. As of March 11, 2021, they hold a 17-6 record and have won their past six games. According to OddsShark, Virginia currently has a +800 odds of winning the NCAA championship, putting them in the top 10 of favorites. In addition, they have an impressive ATS (against the spread) record of 13-10, showing their strength in covering the spread. With the tournament right around the corner, Virginia is sure to be a key contender in the eyes of many bettors.

Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky Wildcats are perennial contenders in college basketball and draw significant attention during the NCAA tournament. As such, their betting lines are closely watched by many fans and bettors alike. In the 2021 NCAA tournament, the Wildcats were not able to secure a spot and failed to make an appearance for the first time in six years. However, in past tournaments, they have enjoyed great success and are often favored to advance deep into the tournament. In fact, in the past ten years, Kentucky has reached the Final Four four times and won the national championship once. As of August 2021, the Wildcats have an all-time NCAA tournament record of 130-53 (.710 winning percentage).

Michigan State Spartans

According to current NCAA bracket betting lines, the Michigan State Spartans have a 30.2% chance of reaching the Final Four and a 12.2% chance of winning the National Championship. They have a 2.3% chance of ending up as the overall winner of the West region. The team has a 1-2 record against top-25 teams this season and are known for their strong defense, which ranks 13th in the nation in terms of points allowed per game. Overall, the Spartans have a 14-10 record this season and finished third in the Big Ten conference.

Tennessee Volunteers

According to Odds Shark, as of March 15, 2021, the Tennessee Volunteers have an average championship odds of +4400. In the 2020-2021 season, the Volunteers had an overall record of 18-8 and were 10-4 in conference play. Their current betting line for their first-round matchup in the NCAA tournament against Oregon State is -8.5 points. Furthermore, Tennessee has a 57.1% chance of making it to the second round, according to the NCAA’s official bracket predictor.

Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars, ranked 6th in the nation, are the current favorites to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament according to betting lines. The team has an average margin of victory of 14.3 points per game, and they boast a stifling defense that ranks 4th in the nation in points allowed per game at 57.9. On the offensive end, the Cougars have a balanced attack with four players averaging double figures in points per game. Houston has been dominant all season and will look to continue their success in the tournament.

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan Wolverines have already started their journey in the NCAA tournament with high hopes of winning it all. The betting lines for Michigan Wolverines are looking good according to the current statistics. As of March 18, 2021, Michigan Wolverines are listed with +900 odds to win the NCAA championship. More specifically, they are predicted to have a 10% chance of winning the championship, which is the third highest behind Gonzaga and Baylor. Additionally, Michigan Wolverines are the second favorite to win in the East region with +200 odds.

 

Auburn Tigers

The Auburn Tigers men’s basketball team is a popular pick for NCAA bracket betting lines. As of March 2021, the team has an overall winning percentage of .555 and has made it to the NCAA tournament 10 times since 1984. In 2019, they made it to the Final Four and were the 2019 SEC Tournament Champions. Auburn has also produced notable NBA players, including Charles Barkley and Chuck Person.

Purdue Boilermakers

The Purdue Boilermakers have been a consistent presence in NCAA basketball over the years. In the 2019-2020 season, the Boilermakers had a 16-15 overall record and a 9-11 conference record. According to the current NCAA bracket betting lines, the Boilermakers are not favored to win the championship, with odds currently at +8000. However, Purdue has a strong history in the NCAA tournament, having made 30 appearances and reaching the Elite Eight 9 times. The team’s highest finish was in 1980 when they were runners-up. As of now, it remains to be seen how Purdue will fare in the upcoming tournament, but the team has shown they can be a force to be reckoned with in the past.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

According to Odds Shark, the Texas Tech Red Raiders have an average betting line of +2000 to win the NCAA March Madness tournament. As of March 11th, they were ranked as the 3rd seed in the Big 12 conference with a record of 17-10. The team is known for their tough defense, allowing only 63.5 points per game on average, which ranks 23rd in the nation. Led by coach Chris Beard, the Red Raiders are looking to make a deep run in the tournament and capture their first national championship in school history.

Florida State Seminoles

The Florida State Seminoles have been consistent performers in the NCAA March Madness tournament. In the last 10 years, they have made it to the Sweet Sixteen five times and the Elite Eight twice. Their average win percentage in the tournament is 61.9%. In terms of betting lines, their odds to win the national championship in 2021 were +4000, according to OddsChecker. However, after their impressive run to the Sweet Sixteen, their odds have improved drastically to +1000. The Seminoles are led by head coach Leonard Hamilton, who has a career coaching record of 610-456.

Buffalo Bulls

The Buffalo Bulls are a Division I sports team representing the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. The team competes in the Mid-American Conference and has had notable success in recent years, including a 2018 NCAA tournament appearance. In terms of betting lines for the NCAA tournament, the Bulls have had mixed results. According to OddsShark, the team had an average point spread of -5.5 during the 2018 tournament. In terms of historical odds, the Bulls have not been favored in many tournament games, with only two instances of being a betting favorite since 2005.

Oregon Ducks.

The Oregon Ducks have performed well in recent NCAA tournaments, reaching the Final Four in 2017 and the Sweet Sixteen in 2019. In the 2021 NCAA tournament, the Ducks were seeded seventh in the West region and had an opening round betting line of -5.5 against VCU. However, they were unable to cover the spread and lost by six points in the opening round. Despite this early exit, the team is expected to continue to be a strong contender in future tournaments.