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2026 March Madness Predictions, Early Odds & Picks: Who Will Win the 2026 NCAA Tournament?

Philip Wood

Last Updated: April 8, 2025 8:02 AM EDT • 4 min 17 sec read.

Pictured: Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to guard Jeremy Fears Jr. after a play against Auburn. Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK / Imagn.

Despite coming up short in the Final Four, the Duke Blue Devils are favored to win the NCAA Tournament next year as we make our best 2026 March Madness predictions.

We still don’t know if Cooper Flagg-who's easily the centerpiece of the NBA draft odds-will return to the team. But even if he declares for the draft as many expect, the March Madness odds still favor the program that Jon Scheyer has taken over.

Let's take a look at the favorites, value bets, and long shots for the 2025 tournament after Florida's win over Houston in this year's NCAA Tournament.

📊 Early March Madness odds & betting favorites: Who will win 2026 NCAA Tournament?

Here are the early 2026 March Madness odds to win the NCAA Tournament next year. You can also use our college basketball player prop odds tool to find the best odds across the best sports betting sites in your area.  

💰 2026 NCAA Championship betting odds

Our 2026 March Madness odds update in real time.

🏀 2026 March Madness predictions & early picks to win NCAA Championship

With so many players entering the transfer portal, it’s hard to know exactly what to expect in 2026. However, the Michigan State Spartans are the team best positioned to win the NCAA Tournament based on early reports regarding the transfer portal and declarations for the NBA draft.

2026 March Madness Predictions
Pictured: Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler celebrates after a play during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Photo by Robert Goddin / Imagn.

🏆 Best March Madness pick to win 2026 NCAA Tournament: Michigan State (+3500)

There might not be a team in college basketball with more upside entering next season than the Spartans. Though they will lose Jaden Akins, the school could return most of its key players from this year’s Elite Eight run.

Jeremy Fears Jr. is coming back, which is massive since he averaged 7.2 points and 5.4 assists per game this season. While Tre Holloman has entered the transfer portal, there’s no guarantee he’s leaving the program, and Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper, and Coen Carr all look poised to return.

However, the most significant storyline entering the offseason will be whether Jase Richardson comes back or declares for the NBA draft. The freshman averaged 12.1 points per game last season, and he played really well in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.

If Richardson comes back, Tom Izzo will boast one of the best starting-five units in the country during 2026. And in an age when players change teams rapidly, trotting out a group that's built chemistry together would make the Spartans the team to beat.

📊 Best odds: +3500 via FanDuel ($10 to win $3,500)

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💎 Best March Madness value bet to win 2026 NCAA Tournament: North Carolina (+5000)

The Tar Heels are losing a lot of key pieces from their underachieving 2024-25 team. RJ Davis is certainly a massive loss, but the absences of players like Jae’Lyn Withers and Elliot Cadeau will be felt too. However, perhaps a fresh start isn’t a bad thing after how much the Tar Heels struggled last season.

Hubert Davis has done a great job with the transfer portal while picking up players who will make an immediate impact, including former Arizona Wildcat Henri Veesaar. He averaged 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game with the Wildcats, and Veesaar finished the year as the team’s fourth-leading scorer.

The ACC could get better overnight because of the transfer portal. But as it stands, the conference is the weakest of the Power 4.

That benefits the Tar Heels as the new players and returning pieces adjust to playing together early in the year. We’ve already seen Davis make a run to the title game in his time with UNC. After a disappointing season, don’t be shocked if he does it again.

📊 Best odds: +5000 via FanDuel ($10 to win $500)

2026 March Madness Predictions
Pictured: North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis watches his team work out during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice. Photo by Benny Sieu / Imagn.

🎯 Best March Madness long shot to win 2026 NCAA Tournament: Memphis (+20000)

When making a bet on a 2026 NCAA Tournament long shot, I wanted to find a team with a lot of returning talent that's made some significant transfer-portal acquisitions after a solid season. Memphis checked all those boxes.

Many bettors will overlook the Tigers entering the offseason after they lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. But this is a really talented team that became unlucky late in the season with an injury to Tyrese Hunter.

PJ Haggerty, the nation’s third-leading scorer, is expected to return next season, which is huge for Memphis. Additionally, the Tigers have added Quante Berry from Temple, and they could get Dante Harris and Dain Dainja back next campaign.

The program is rising, so wager on the Tigers before the dust settles and the public realizes how good they can be next year.

📊 Best odds: +20000 via DraftKings ($10 to win $2,000)

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📅 When is the 2026 NCAA Tournament?

  • Selection Sunday: March 15, 2026
  • First round begins: March 19, 2026
  • Final Four: April 4, 2026
  • NCAA Championship: April 6, 2026

❓2026 March Madness FAQs

Who is favored to win March Madness 2026?

The Duke Blue Devils are favored to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament with odds of +1000 via BetMGM. 

When is March Madness 2026?

The 2026 NCAA Tournament will begin on March 17 with the First Four, and the Final Four and national championship will take place on April 4 and 6, respectively.

How can I bet on March Madness 2026?

You can bet on March Madness 2026 at any of our best sports betting apps, including BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel.

👑 Best March Madness betting sites

Ready to place your March Madness bets? Check out the best March Madness betting promos from the best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review.

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Written By:
Philip Wood
Phil has covered sports betting since 2016, and he has been with SportsBook Review since 2022. He previously hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast for CanesInsight.com. He is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is that if a line doesn't make sense just assume oddsmakers know something you don't. He also loves in-season futures. There is so much value to be had as the public overreacts weekly. Bettors tend to forget just how long NFL and college football seasons are. After all, the Green Bay Packers were 2-5 in 2023 and they made it to the Divisional Round. When deciding where to bet, it comes down to value over everything. +100 is always better than -110. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. He is also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and is willing to forgive Dan Campbell for forgetting that a kicker can be useful.