Men’s March Madness 2025 – Opening betting odds, lines, totals – ESPN

Mar 17, 2025, 12:00 PM ET

The 2025 men’s NCAA tournament is set to tip off with 68 teams looking to raise a banner and write their name into college basketball history. The Auburn Tigers, the overall No. 1 seed in the South, are looking to avenge their SEC tournament loss and claim the title as the best team in the country.

The SEC made a big statement in sending 14 teams to the Big Dance but faces stark competition from a formidable Houston team and the return of a healthy Cooper Flagg to the Duke Blue Devils.

Familiar favorites such as North Carolina, UConn and Gonzaga are back in the Dance, as well as St. John’s, which after missing the tournament last year made a dominant run through the Big East.

Would it be March without some upsets? Underdogs such as St. Mary’s, Memphis and Colorado State made impressive mid-major runs this season and are ready to shock the world and bust some brackets.

Here are the lines, spreads and totals from each of the opening-round matchups.

Odds are accurate as of publication time. All times Eastern. For the latest odds, go to ESPN BET.

Tuesday — First Four

(16) St. Francis (PA) Red Flash

(16) Alabama State Hornets -3.5

South Region 6:40 p.m. UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio

St. Francis (PA): 16-17, 8-8 in NEC play

Alabama State: 19-15, 12-6 in SWAC play

Moneyline: Alabama State (-175), St. Francis (PA) (+150)

Total: 142.5

BPI projection: Alabama State by 2.1, straight up: 58.4%

(11) North Carolina Tar Heels -3.5

(11) San Diego State Aztecs

South Region 9:10 p.m. UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio

North Carolina: 22-13, 13-7 in ACC play

San Diego State: 21-9, 14-6 in MW play

Moneyline: North Carolina (-185), San Diego State (+155)

Total: 142.5

BPI projection: North Carolina by 4.4, straight up: 67.1%

Wednesday — First Four

(16) Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers

(16) American University Eagles -2.5

East Region 6:40 p.m. UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio

Mount St. Mary’s: 22-12, 12-8 in MAAC play

American University: 22-12, 13-5 in PAT play

Moneyline: American University (-145), Mount St. Mary’s (+125)

Total: 131.5

BPI projection: American University by 0.9, straight up: 53.4%

(11) Xavier Musketeers -2.5

(11) Texas Longhorns

Midwest Region 9:10 p.m. UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio

Xavier: 21-11, 13-7 in Big East play

Texas: 19-15, 6-12 in SEC play

Moneyline: Xavier (-150), Texas (+130)

Total: 149.5

BPI projection: Texas by 0.9, straight up: 53.7%

Odds are accurate as of publication time. All times Eastern. For the latest odds, go to ESPN BET.

Thursday — Round 1

(9) Creighton Bluejays

(8) Louisville Cardinals -2.5

South Region 12:15 p.m. Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky

Creighton: 24-10, 15-5 in Big East play

Louisville: 27-7, 18-2 in ACC play

Money line: Louisville (-145), Creighton (+125)

Total: 145.5

BPI projection: Creighton by 0.6, straight up: 52.5%

(13) High Point Panthers

(4) Purdue Boilermakers -8.5

Midwest Region 12:40 p.m. Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, Rhode Island

High Point: 29-5, 14-2 in Big South play

Purdue: 22-11, 13-7 in Big Ten play

Moneyline: Purdue (-400), High Point (+300)

Total: 153.5

BPI projection: Purdue by 9.4, straight up: 81.8%

(14) Montana Grizzlies

(3) Wisconsin Badgers -16.5

East Region 1:30 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver

Montana: 25-9, 15-3 in Big Sky play

Wisconsin: 26-8, 13-7 in Big Ten play

Moneyline: Wisconsin (-2500), Montana (+1100)

Total: 149.5

BPI projection: Wisconsin by 2.5, straight up: 59.8%

(16) SIU Edwardsville Cougars

(1) Houston Cougars -28.5

Midwest Region 2 p.m. INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas

SIU Edwardsville: 22-11, 13-7 in OVC play

Houston: 30-4, 19-1 in Big 12 play

Moneyline: Houston (-100000), SIU Edwardsville (+4000)

Total: 127.5

BPI projection: Houston by 30.1, straight up: 99.2%

(12) McNeese Cowboys

(5) Clemson Tigers -7.5

Midwest Region 3:15 p.m. Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, Rhode Island

McNeese: 27-6, 19-1 in Southland play

Clemson: 27-6, 18-2 in ACC play

Moneyline: Clemson (-340), McNeese (+270)

Total: 134.5

BPI projection: Clemson by 8.6, straight up: 79.8%

(11) VCU Rams

(6) BYU Cougars -2.5

East Region 4:05 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver

VCU: 27-6, 15-3 in A-10 play

BYU: 24-9, 14-6 in Big 12 play

Moneyline: BYU (-150), VCU (+130)

Total: 143.5

BPI projection: VCU by 5.8, straight up: 71.7%

(9) Georgia Bulldogs

(8) Gonzaga Bulldogs -6.5

Midwest Region 4:35 p.m. INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas

Georgia: 20-12, 8-10 in SEC play

Gonzaga: 25-8, 14-4 in WCC play

Moneyline: Gonzaga (-275), Georgia (+225)

Total: 151.5

BPI projection: Gonzaga by 5.7, straight up: 71.3%

(15) Wofford Terriers

(2) Tennessee Volunteers -18.5

Midwest Region 6:50 p.m. Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky

Wofford: 19-15, 10-8 in SoCon play

Tennessee: 27-6, 12-6 in SEC play

Moneyline: Tennessee (-6000), Wofford (+1800)

Total: 133.5

BPI projection: Tennessee by 19.4, straight up: 95.7%

(10) Arkansas Razorbacks

(7) Kansas Jayhawks -4.5

West Region 7:10 p.m. Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, Rhode Island

Arkansas: 20-13, 8-10 in SEC play

Kansas: 21-12, 11-9 in Big 12 play

Moneyline: Kansas (-200), Arkansas (+170)

Total: 145.5

BPI projection: Kansas by 5.6, straight up: 71%

(13) Yale Bulldogs

(4) Texas A&M Aggies -7.5

South Region 7:25 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver

Yale: 21-7, 13-1 in Ivy play

Texas A&M: 22-10, 11-7 in SEC play

Moneyline: Texas A&M (-300), Yale (+250)

Total: 141.5

BPI projection: Yale by 6.1, straight up: 72.6%

(11) Drake Bulldogs

(6) Missouri Tigers -6.5

West Region 7:35 p.m. INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas

Drake: 30-3, 17-3 in MVC play

Missouri: 22-11, 10-8 in SEC play

Moneyline: Missouri (-275), Drake (+225)

Total: 133.5

BPI projection: Missouri by 6.2, straight up: 72.9%

(10) Utah State Aggies

(7) UCLA Bruins -4.5

Midwest Region 9:25 p.m. Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky

Utah State: 26-7, 15-5 in MW play

UCLA: 22-10, 13-7 in Big Ten play

Moneyline: UCLA (-200), Utah State (+170)

Total: 143.5

BPI projection: UCLA by 3.1, straight up: 62.1%

(15) Omaha Mavericks

(2) St. John’s Red Storm -18.5

West Region 9:45 p.m. Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, Rhode Island

Omaha: 22-12, 13-3 in Summit play

St. John’s: 30-4, 18-2 in Big East play

Moneyline: St. John’s (-5000), Omaha (+1500)

Total: 148.5

BPI projection: St. John’s by 21, straight up: 96.6%

(12) UC San Diego Tritons

(5) Michigan Wolverines -2.5

South Region 10 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver

UC San Diego: 30-4, 18-2 in Big West play

Michigan: 24-9, 14-6 in Big Ten play

Moneyline: Michigan (-150), UC San Diego (+130)

Total: 141.5

BPI projection: Michigan by 4.3, straight up: 66.6%

(14) UNC Wilmington Seahawks

(3) Texas Tech Red Raiders -15.5

West Region 10:10 p.m. INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas

UNC Wilmington: 27-7, 14-4 in CAA play

Texas Tech: 25-8, 15-5 in Big 12 play

Moneyline: Texas Tech (-3000), UNC Wilmington (+1200)

Total: 143.5

BPI projection: Texas Tech by 15.5, straight up: 92.3%

Odds are accurate as of publication time. All times Eastern. For the latest odds, go to ESPN BET.

Friday — Round 1

(9) Baylor Bears

(8) Mississippi State Bulldogs -1.5

East Region 12:15 p.m. Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina

Baylor: 19-14, 10-10 in Big 12 play

Mississippi State: 21-12, 8-10 in SEC play

Moneyline: Mississippi State (-120), Baylor (Even)

Total: 143.5

BPI projection: Baylor by 2.9, straight up: 61.4%

(15) Robert Morris Colonials

(2) Alabama Crimson Tide -22.5

East Region 12:40 p.m. Rocket Arena, Cleveland

Robert Morris: 26-8, 15-5 in Horizon play

Alabama: 25-8, 13-5 in SEC play

Moneyline: Alabama (-7500), Robert Morris (+2000)

Total: 166.5

BPI projection: Alabama by 21, straight up: 96.7%

(14) Lipscomb Bisons

(3) Iowa State Cyclones -13.5

South Region 1:30 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee

Lipscomb: 25-9, 14-4 in ASUN play

Iowa State: 24-9, 13-7 in Big 12 play

Moneyline: Iowa State (-1600), Lipscomb (+800)

Total: 143.5

BPI projection: Iowa State by 15.6, straight up: 92.4%

(12) Colorado State Rams -2.5

(5) Memphis Tigers

West Region 2 p.m. Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle

Colorado State: 25-9, 16-4 in MW play

Memphis: 28-5, 16-2 in American play

Moneyline: Colorado State (-145), Memphis (+125)

Total: 145.5

BPI projection: Memphis by 6.6, straight up: 74.3%

(10) Vanderbilt Commodores

(7) Saint Mary’s Gaels -4.5

East Region 3:15 p.m. Rocket Arena, Cleveland

Vanderbilt: 20-12, 8-10 in SEC play

Saint Mary’s: 28-5, 17-1 in WCC play

Moneyline: Saint Mary’s (-195), Vanderbilt (+165)

Total: 136.5

BPI projection: Saint Mary’s by 4.1, straight up: 65.8%

(13) Grand Canyon Lopes

(4) Maryland Terrapins -10.5

West Region 4:35 p.m. Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle

Grand Canyon: 26-7, 13-3 in WAC play

Maryland: 25-8, 14-6 in Big Ten play

Moneyline: Maryland (-650), Grand Canyon (+425)

Total: 150.5

BPI projection: Maryland by 11.4, straight up: 86.1%

(16) Norfolk State Spartans

(1) Florida Gators -28.5

West Region 6:50 p.m. Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina

Norfolk State: 24-10, 11-3 in MEAC play

Florida: 29-4, 14-4 in SEC play

Moneyline: Off

Total: 154.5

BPI projection: Florida by 0.5, straight up: 52%

(14) Troy Trojans

(3) Kentucky Wildcats -10.5

Midwest Region 7:10 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee

Troy: 23-10, 13-5 in Sun Belt play

Kentucky: 22-11, 10-8 in SEC play

Moneyline: Kentucky (-600), Troy (+400)

Total: 152.5

BPI projection: Kentucky by 13.1, straight up: 89%

(10) New Mexico Lobos

(7) Marquette Golden Eagles -3.5

South Region 7:25 p.m. Rocket Arena, Cleveland

New Mexico: 26-7, 17-3 in MW play

Marquette: 23-10, 13-7 in Big East play

Moneyline: Marquette (-175), New Mexico (+150)

Total: 152.5

BPI projection: Marquette by 5.4, straight up: 70.4%

(13) Akron Zips

(4) Arizona Wildcats -13.5

East Region 7:35 p.m. Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle

Akron: 28-6, 17-1 in MAC play

Arizona: 22-12, 14-6 in Big 12 play

Moneyline: Arizona (-1400), Akron (+750)

Total: 166.5

BPI projection: Arizona by 15.9, straight up: 92.7%

(9) Oklahoma Sooners

(8) UConn Huskies -4.5

West Region 9:25 p.m. Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina

Oklahoma: 20-13, 6-12 in SEC play

UConn: 23-10, 14-6 in Big East play

Moneyline: UConn (-195), Oklahoma (+165)

Total: 146.5

BPI projection: UConn by 5.3, straight up: 69.9%

(15) Bryant Bulldogs

(2) Michigan State Spartans -18.5

South Region 10 p.m. Rocket Arena, Cleveland

Bryant: 23-11, 14-2 in Am. East play

Michigan State: 27-6, 17-3 in Big Ten play

Moneyline: Michigan State (-5000), Bryant (+1600)

Total: 150.5

BPI projection: Michigan State by 17.1, straight up: 93.9%

(12) Liberty Flames

(5) Oregon Ducks -6.5

East Region 10:10 p.m. Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle

Liberty: 28-6, 13-5 in C-USA play

Oregon: 24-9, 12-8 in Big Ten play

Moneyline: Oregon (-300), Liberty (+250)

Total: 140.5

BPI projection: Oregon by 7.1, straight up: 75.8%

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