2025 March Madness Odds, Predictions: Duke is the tournament favourite entering the Final Four
We’re into the home stretch of the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the Final Four has been set, with all four tournament No. 1 seeds advancing. Duke will face Houston and Auburn takes on Florida, both on Saturday, for a shot at reaching the national championship game on Monday night in San Antonio.
Let’s dive in and look at the last four teams remaining in the tournament.
Final Four
With the matchups set in the Final Four, make sure to check out our game previews and predictions.
Duke (1) vs. Houston (1) Prediction: March Madness Final Four Odds
Auburn (1) vs. Florida (1) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Final Four Odds
Duke leads the pack
Duke enters the Final Four as significant -110 favourites to win the tournament. Following the Blue Devils, Florida is next at +300, then Houston at +450, with Auburn rounding things out at +575.
The Blue Devils have cruised through the tournament, with their four wins coming by an average of 23.5 points per game, including a 20-point blowout of No. 2 Alabama in the Elite Eight. Hight octane offence has been key, led by future No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg, sharpshooter Tyrese Proctor and 7-foot-2 big man Khaman Maluach.
Florida is arguably the most well-rounded team in the tournament, which was on full display in close wins against No. 8 UConn and No. 3 Texas Tech. Senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. has been clutch in big moments, but the depth of the roster has been most important.
Houston is a fascinating matchup for Duke in the Final Four as the Cougars’ elite defensive unit leads the nation in opponent point per game. If Houston can contain Duke’s offence and L.J. Cryer builds on his 17-point performance against No. 2 Tennessee in the Elite Eight, the Cougars might have a shot at an upset.
Auburn is coming off wins against Michigan and Michigan State, but they flirted with disaster against the Spartans in the Elite Eight. Johni Broome has been a star for the team, but lingering elbow and knee injuries are massively concerning. It’s tough to see this team getting past two No. 1 seeds in a row.
Prediction: Duke (-110)
I hate to go with favourites, but Duke is too strong. The Blue Devils are loaded with talent and I don’t see any weakness Florida, Houston or Auburn could conceivably exploit.
Flagg, Broome, Cryer Most Outstanding Player favourites
Flagg is the best player on the best team in the tournament, so it’s no surprise he’s the favourite to win Most Outstanding Player. He’s erased the concerns about the ankle injury he suffered in the ACC Tournament, averaging 19.5 points per game during the NCAA Tournament, including a monster 30-point performance in the Sweet 16 against No. 4 Arizona.
Broome is unquestionably the most valuable player on Auburn and the Tigers would have been bounced long before now if not for the senior forward. He leads Auburn with 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game and he’ll be a lock to win Most Outstanding Player if the Tigers somehow win this tournament.
At this stage in the tournament, Houston’s L.J. Cryer seems like the only other legitimate threat to win Most Outstanding Player. Cryer is averaging 15.2 points per game and shooting 42 per cent from three this season, while contributing to the Cougars’ defensive success. It wouldn’t hurt his chances if he replicated the 30-point performance he had against No. 8 Gonzaga in the second round.
Prediction: Cooper Flagg (+105)
It wouldn’t make sense for me to pick Duke to win the tournament, but not have a Blue Devil win Most Outstanding Player. Flagg didn’t need to do much against Alabama in the Elite Eight, so I think he’s primed and ready to close out the tournament with two big performances.
