NCAA Tournament Opening Round Line Shifts in 2025's March Madness Betting Action
Buckle up, basketball fanatics! The 2025 NCAA Men's Tournament has kicked off with a bang, and it's time to get your game on. With the First Four games behind us, things really heat up as 64 teams square off in 32 matchups on Thursday and Friday. Whether you're building brackets, joining contest pools, or betting on the action, March Madness provides a wealth of opportunities to stake your claim and make some cash.
But why limit yourself to just the national champion? Bet game by game, or take a stab at teams to win regionals like the East, West, South, and Midwest. Here's the lowdown on what to expect:
March Madness Odds, Matchups, and First Round Line Moves
Keeping up with the ever-evolving odds is essential for any savvy bettor. leader in college basketball betting, FanDuel Sportsbook, is your go-to source for the latest odds, matchups, and prop bets. They regularly update their offerings along with the top online sportsbooks. Ready to take a shot at the big time? Here's what you need to know:
When the NCAA Committee unveiled the field of 68 on the CBS Sunday Selection Show, the top online sportsbooks wasted no time rolling out the matchups and odds. The heavy hitters like Circa, Southpoint, and SuperBook –AKA the off-Strip properties—are renowned for setting the market and attracting regular customers who like to bet big on opening numbers. Vegas staples like Wynn, Caesars, and BetMGM hold their own on the Strip, with a loyal following that digs deep into the opening lines as well[4].
This year, Duke, Florida, and Auburn from the SEC are soaring high on the popular national championship list, as fans and bettors in New York rally behind Big East champion St. John's. FanDuel Sportsbook has also seen a spike in bets and money on underdogs Montana (+17.5), SIU Edwardsville (+28.5), and UNC Wilmington (+15.5).
Keep your eyes peeled for line movement as expert bettors weigh in on opening games. For instance, the sharps nailed the St. Francis (+6) to +2.5 upset in their 2-point loss to Alabama State on Tuesday. The two-time defending national champion UConn Huskies, seeded at -2.5, have seen their lines shift to -5.5 as a result of heavy betting action.
When it comes to tight games between 5/12 seeds, be on the lookout for Michigan (-2.5) vs. UC San Diego, where the line has dropped from -3.5, and the total increased from 140.5 to 142.5. Thursday's game between Colorado State (-1.5) and No. 5 Memphis on Friday will likely be another must-watch matchup as the line has adjusted. The 5/12 Clemson vs. McNeese game has seen the total drop from 136.5 to 133.5.
In the 6/11 bracket, the No. 6 BYU (-2.5) vs. VCU game has sparked interest, with the line dropping from -3.5 and the total increasing from 143.5 to 145.5. And if you're chasing the highest-scoring games, the No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 15 Robert Morris (166.5 points) and No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 13 Akron matchup (also 166.5 points) won't disappoint[6].
So dust off your brackets, grab your lucky charm, and get ready to race down the court with the all-new March Madness odds.
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- As the NCAA Men's Tournament progresses in 2025, keeping up with the latest odds and line moves at FanDuel Sportsbook can potentially help savvy bettors make informed decisions for their March Madness betting picks.
- Prestigious sportsbooks such as Circa, Southpoint, and SuperBook have already set the market and are drawing attention for their opening numbers in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Tournament.
- In the 2025 NCAA Men's Tournament, it's worth considering teams like Duke, Florida, Auburn, and St. John's, as they are high on the popular national championship list for many fans and bettors.
