Top March Madness Future Bets: Predictions and Odds for 2025

St. John's RJ Luis Jr. dribbles up the court.

St. John's Red Storm (26/1)

If you read my stuff when I was with the BetQL/BetMGM Network, or watched me on the shows, you know I am holding a 50/1 ticket on the Red Storm that I placed before the season. There was simply too much value on the team at that number, and I fired away. So far, that gamble is working out quite well for me and could be used as a nice hedge. Still, I think they have an excellent shot to win it all.

First off, this team has been even better than I expected them to be. With a 30-4 overall record and 18-2 mark in a highly competitive Big East conference, they secured both the regular-season and tournament titles. Their consistency and ability to perform against top-tier competition all season will help them immensely in the NCAA Tournament.

When most think of St. John's, their defense is what will stand out immediately. They have the No. 1 ranked defense in the nation per KenPom, and history has shown us that elite defenses can often carry teams deep into March Madness. Head coach Rick Pitino's own former Louisville teams, such as the 2013 national champions, thrived with a similar playstyle as this Red Storm team. Their ability to force turnovers, limit scoring opportunities, and grind away at opponents will give them an edge in close tournament games where every possession matters.

Offensively, they are led by 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr., who is their leading scorer (18.2 PPG) and also contributes on the boards (7.1 RPG). Zuby Ejiofor is also a big contributor, as the versatile big man pours in 14.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Kadary Richmond is their playmaker, averaging 5.4 assists per game, and keeps their offense flowing. While their three-point shooting has been one weakness throughout the year, they have made recent improvements, like hitting 11 threes against Villanova and shooting 8-for-16 in a half against UConn.

Like the other teams below, one of the biggest reasons I like them is how well they perform in tight games. Their four losses this season were by a combined seven points, showing that they rarely are ever out of a game. They clutch up in big moments and have avoided obvious trap spots all year. Pitino knows how to prepare his teams for these moments, with his 54-21 NCAA Tournament record (.720 win percentage), two national title wins (1996 Kentucky, 2013 Louisville), and seven Final Four appearances across five different schools.

Overall, their combination of elite defense, an improving offense, clutch play, and Pitino's proven leadership make them a serious threat.

Florida Gators (4/1)

I was really hoping that St. John's and Florida would not be in the same region, and both would earn No. 1 seeds, but I digress. Those of you who have followed me also know that I bet the Gators at 10/1 weeks ago, and now they are the second favorite at 4/1 odds to win it all. There are plenty of reasons to love them, and they will be a popular play for the NCAA Tournament.

Just like the Red Storm, Florida finished with an impressive 30-4 record with several wins over top-tier competition. They secured victories over high-ranked opponents like Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee, including two road wins against Auburn and Alabama, who boast some of the toughest road environments in the country. They have won 12 of their last 13 games, coming into the tourney on fire and building momentum.

Opposite of St. John's, the Gators offense sticks out as their biggest strength. They own the No. 1 offense in the nation on KenPom, and I can already see the collision course with the Red Storm defense. Florida has a dynamic and versatile roster, led by superstar Walter Clayton Jr., a game-changer who averages 17.5 points per game and delivers in the clutch moments. His 22-point performance in the SEC championship against Tennessee was the cherry on top of what has been an otherworldly season from the guard.

He's not alone, however. Players like Will Richard, Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, and Alijah Martin provide depth and balance that you won't find on many other teams. They are all capable of stepping up with an explosive performance or playing the support man. This ability to adapt to different styles of play will be huge for them across the tournament. The Gators combine physicality with a modern and efficient offense, scoring 80-plus points in their last seven games en route to that SEC title.

Analytics love them across the board. They are No. 4 in NET ranking, No. 2 on KenPom, and have a top-10 ranked offensive and defensive efficiency ranking. Head coach Todd Golden has guided his team to their best season since Billy Donovan's Final Four run in 2014. With a 5-2 record against top-10 teams, they are battle-tested and ready to ignite some fireworks as March Madness begins.

Michigan State Spartans (25/1)

The Spartans are a lot like St. John's, a defensive monster that has an elite head coach who has been there and done that before. Their historical success under Tom Izzo is well known throughout college basketball, and he once again has his team in position to make noise this March.

The Michigan State defense is ranked No. 5 on KenPom, and as I stated before, elite defense typically translates very well to success in the tournament. Games can slow down and become a grind-it-out mess, and defensive teams are used to this kind of play. They smother their opponents, control the pace, and force turnovers. You can't ask for more in single-elimination games.

While their offense has lacked much firepower this season, the recent emergence of freshman Jase Richardson has added an offensive spark. He averaged 16.8 points per game over the final nine games of the regular season and has shown that he can step up in big moments already. His ability to score, combined with his hype as an NBA prospect, gives the Spartans a go-to guy now who can carry them in tight contests.

This was already one of the most veteran rosters in college basketball, and that kind of continuity and experience is invaluable to a deep run. With returning players Jaxon Kohler, Jaden Akins, and Jeremy Fears Jr., alongside Richardson, they have a balanced lineup that is battle-tested. They finished the regular season with a 27-6 record, clinching the Big Ten title with a seven-game winning streak. While they fell in the tournament, they made it to the penultimate game.

Izzo's track record is a massive advantage as well. In his now 30th season, he has led Michigan State to eight Final Fours since 1999, more than any other program in that span. He secured a national title in 2000, and his ability to prepare his teams for March is the stuff of legend. He's made 26 straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

While shooting 30.2% from three-point range isn't ideal, their defense and ability to win close games offset that in my opinion. They have avoided traps all season long, winning and covering games where the bookmakers obviously thought they would not.

Houston Cougars (6.5/1)

I just added this one today, so you can grab it fresh off the grill. Much like a couple of the teams above, Houston owns a suffocating defense that has become almost famous at this point. Head coach Kelvin Sampson has built up their reputation for elite defense, holding teams to low shooting percentages, and forcing turnovers with relentless pressure.

The Cougars are ranked No. 2 in the nation in defensive efficiency on KenPom, just behind St. John's. Their ability to keep teams under 70 points, or even 60 as seen in some games, wears opponents down over 40 minutes. In single-elimination games, where outcomes often hinge on stopping hot streaks and grinding out wins, Houston becomes a very valuable side to be on.

The Big 12 is one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, and their performance this season shows they can handle top-tier competition. Houston finished the 2024-25 regular season with a 19-1 record in conference play, which is an unprecedented feat in the Big 12, and secured back-to-back regular season titles. They went undefeated on the road with a 10-0 record, showing how well they perform in hostile environments, which is needed on these neutral court battles of March Madness. Over two seasons in the Big 12, they have gone a combined 33-4, silencing the doubters from when they moved in from the AAC.

They also have a very experienced roster that blends star guard play with physical big men, which is a successful recipe in the tournament. Veterans like LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharpe provide the scoring and ball-handling, while their frontcourt dominates inside. Sampson has been here before, with five Final Four appearances and two championship game runs with the Cougars, and he knows how to navigate a bracket.

Under him, Houston has consistently advanced deep in the tourney. They have had a high seed every year, reaching the Final Four in 2021, and have avoided huge upsets. They have struggled against other single-digit seeds at times in the tournament, but after their dominant Big 12 run in a brutal conference, they are peaking right now.

Many stopped betting on them because they have come up short year after year, but I still believe in them. Houston's elite defense, impressive resume, balanced and veteran roster, and coaching make them a serious threat at 6.5/1.