The college basketball season is here, and it’s never too early to start building your portfolio of college basketball futures.
The NCAA Tournament odds offer a way to add valuable and profitable tickets to your portfolio by using market timing and scouting of the top teams. This guide will provide insights into elite teams who could be cutting the nets down at the end of the March Madness Tournament, and putting money in your pocket.
Below, you’ll find three teams that, according to the current March Madness odds, we believe are potential champions with profitable opportunities.
Live NCAA Tournament Odds
College basketball offers value for profit not only in betting the games night by night, but also by looking ahead and placing futures bets on who will be the eventual NCAA champion.
For that reason, sharp bettors are already looking to March Madness betting odds to start their season with a strong portfolio. As the season progresses, we can also add tickets on underperforming teams that we think are being undervalued due to injuries or poor early-season play.
Still, it is important to have a portfolio of top teams that could cruise through the season. For the teams outlined today, this could be the best price you get all year.
March Madness Best Bets
Houston (+1000)
Scoring points with flashy dunks and huge three-pointers will get you on the highlight shows. However, championships are won with defense and rebounding.
That is where Houston is at its best.
Houston only allowed 58.5 PPG last season. Last season, the Houston Cougars had an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.8% which was 11th among Division 1 teams.
The Cougars also had the number one-ranked recruiting class in the nation, and some have said it’s the best recruiting class of all time. This team has the ability to play defense, grab rebounds, and features the most talented freshman class in the nation.
The Cougars had a chance to win on the last possession of the NCAA Championship game last year, that’s how close they were to winning. Bet on the Houston Cougars and head coach Kelvin Sampson to finally get it done.
Florida Gators (+1400)
At this price, how can we not have interest in the defending champions? The Gators returned their entire frontcourt that helped win the championship last year.
Last year, they were 5th in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage at 37.5%. This domination on the glass is expected to continue with their experienced front court. Their defense is strong too! Last year, they held opponents to a 40% shooting percentage, which is 16th nationally.
The Gators also have a proven head coach in Todd Golden, who is one of the few active coaches to win a title and who dominated the transfer portal this season. Florida also has plenty of versatility in their lineups, making them a matchup nightmare in a single elimination game.
There is a reason the Florida Gators won the championship last year, but there is no reason why the price for them to repeat is so low. Take the Florida Gators to repeat as NCAA champions.
Gonzaga (+4500)
No portfolio is complete without a solid longshot bet.
Gonzaga has plenty of good reasons why they could break through and be an unlikely NCAA champion. The Bulldogs have continuity in their frontcourt with Graham Ike and Braden Huff. These players provide scoring, defense, and rebounding.
Gonzaga is also coached by one of the best in the business, Mark Few, who has led Gonzaga to 9 consecutive Sweet 16 appearances. Few is considered to be one of the best coaches at getting his team ready for the NCAA tournament.
Gonzaga also made a splash in the transfer portal by adding Tyon Grant-Foster and Braeden Smith. These high-impact players could be underrated and help Gonzaga become the top team in the nation. Few will be tasked with integrating these transfers into an already solid lineup.
Grab a Futures ticket on the Gonzaga Bulldogs now before the nation realizes how good this team really is.
What We’ve Covered and Next Steps
We’ve laid out our College Basketball picks for March Madness:
Of those, my top pick is the Houston Cougars because of their ability to play defense and their elite incoming freshman class. I will also bet on the defending champs, the Florida Gators. Also, Gonzaga presents a plausible value play, given their long odds and their potential to get better as the season progresses.
Timing is everything in sports betting — line movement, injury revelations, and public action can change the value quickly.
To keep an eye on where to get the best value during the season, check out the College Basketball Futures Odds at Oddstrader. That way, when you’re ready to pounce and add a team to your portfolio midseason, you’ll have access to find the best price available.
Bet Smarter With OddsTrader Turbo
Want real-time tools to elevate your player prop betting? OddsTrader Turbo is your ultimate betting tips and odds tracker platform.
Start your free 30-day trial to access:
- The BetStation chatbot: Get instant data-driven betting tips and player prop insights
- Sportsbook syncing: Track all your bets across multiple books in one place
- Live odds movement alerts: React immediately when props shift in your favor
- Game alerts: Never miss a kickoff or last-minute injury report
- 5-star AI picks: Receive AI-generated recommendations for player props
Use this sports betting tool to sharpen your NFL player props week 9 plays on games like the Falcons vs Patriots. Explore all the odds tips and bet analyzers available now.
