March Madness 2025 betting tips & predictions | Day 1 preview

March Madness has arrived, and the brackets for the 2025 NCAA basketball tournament are officially set for both the men’s and women’s competitions.

On the men’s side, Duke, Florida, Houston, and Auburn have secured the four No.1 seeds, with Auburn earning the top overall spot.

Florida enter the tournament as the betting favourite to win it all at +350 with BetOnline, followed closely by Duke (+360) and Auburn (+400).

How March Madness works

The NCAA Tournament, also known as March Madness, is a single-elimination competition featuring 68 teams battling for the national championship.

The tournament begins with the First Four, where eight teams compete for the final four spots in the Round of 64. After that, the main bracket is set, and teams must win six straight games to claim the title.

The tournament is divided into four regions, each with 16 teams seeded from No.1 to No.16.

Higher seeds face lower seeds in the early rounds, with matchups like No.1 vs No.16 and No.2 vs No.15. The action unfolds across four main rounds before the Final Four:

First Round (64 teams) – March 21-22

Second Round (32 teams) – March 23-24

Sweet 16 (16 teams) – March 28-29

Elite Eight (8 teams) – March 30-31

The Final Four, held on April 6, determines which two teams will compete for the National Championship on April 8.

Teams earn tournament bids either by winning their conference championship (automatic bid) or through an at-large selection by the NCAA Selection Committee, which evaluates a team’s performance throughout the season.

The final bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, marking the start of one of the most exciting sporting events of the year — as well as plenty of betting opportunities with top online sportsbooks.

March Madness Parlay of the Day

Day 1 tips off on Wednesday, March 19, with several marquee matchups, including some potential bracket-busting upsets. Here’s a look at the March Madness Parlay of the Day to consider for the opening day of the tournament.

Oklahoma State to win (-277)
The Cowboys come into this matchup as favourites, boasting a strong home record and superior roster depth. With a solid defensive unit and efficient scoring, they should handle business against an inferior opponent.

Alabama State -3.5 (-121)
Alabama State have been performing well against the spread, covering in recent games. Their defensive pressure and rebounding edge give them an advantage in this matchup, making them a strong pick to cover the spread.

Santa Clara -11.5 (-111)
Santa Clara face a weaker opponent and should dominate in both pace and scoring efficiency. They’ve been covering large spreads consistently, making this a solid bet against an outmatched team.

Middle Tennessee -2.5 (-112)
Middle Tennessee have been playing well, particularly in close contests. Their ability to close out games and execute in late-game situations gives them an edge to cover the small spread.

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