March Madness odds 2026: Projecting the teams with best chances to make each round, win NCAA Tournament

Every team in the 2026 NCAA Tournament is now 0-0. The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket is officially live, and oddsmakers have wasted no time identifying the heavyweights on the road to Indianapolis.

As you look to project the teams with the best chances to navigate the gauntlet, the betting board offers a fascinating look at where the money is landing. Whether it's the defensive dominance of a reloaded Duke squad or the rebounding prowess of an Arizona team looking to end a nearly 30-year title drought, here is how the 2026 title odds look as the madness begins.

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Updated March Madness odds 2026

Behind the National Player of the Year Boozer, the Arizona Wildcats are favored to be the last team standing come the national championship. According to FanDuel SportsBook, Arizona is the favorite, followed by the other three one seeds in Duke (+370), Michigan (+370) and Florida (+800).

SN EXPERT BRACKETS: DeCourcy (Arizona) | Bender (Michigan) | Iyer (Arizona) | Gay (UCLA women)

After Michigan, Arizona and Florida, there is a heavy dropoff into the +1000 odds, starting with Houston, who was a basket away from winning it all in 2025. The Cougars can set up a potential rematch with Florida in the Elite Eight, if both teams take care of business. Next up are two flamethrower offenses in Iowa State (+1800) and Illinois (+2200).

Odds to reach national championship

To make the final game, the odds are similar to above. Duke, Arizona and Michigan lead the way, with the defending champions Gators right behind them.

Odds to reach Final Four

FanDuel has three No. 1 seeds at minus odds to make it to Indianapolis: Arizona out of the West, Duke out of the East and Michigan out of the Midwest. In the South, Florida is the favorite, with Houston — who Florida defeated in the 2025 national championship — right behind.

Odds to reach Elite Eight

Five teams have minus odds to make the Elite Eight, with the No. 2 Iowa State Cyclones out of the Midwest joining the four one seeds. Houston, Purdue, Illinois and UConn are right behind them to make it to their respective regional finals.

Odds to reach Sweet Sixteen

Here are the odds for each team to make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. St. John's is the first team to see plus money, with a potential matchup against Darryn Peterson and Kansas in the Round of 32.

Odds to reach Round of 32

Here are the odds for each team to make it past the first round of the tournament. Arizona, who faces LIU as the biggest favorite in March Madness history, is an overwhelming -100000 favorite, and 14 teams have odds shorter than -1000 to move on.