Down to 16: The New March Madness Favourites

And just like that, the field is cut in half. Rounds 1 and 2 of the NCAA Tournament are in the books, with one No. 1 seed (Duke) getting quite a first-round scare while another, reigning champions Florida, was dispatched in the second round.  

Ahead of the Sweet 16, here’s a fresh look at the tournament’s favourites. 

Arizona Wildcats (+325) 

The No. 1 seed with the most impressive résumé ahead of the tournament, with wins over the Florida Gators, UConn Huskies, and Houston Cougars (twice), Arizona continued its dominant form through the opening weekend. Now, a box office matchup awaits, with Arizona set to face John Calipari's Arkansas and the dynamic Darius Acuff Jr. on Thursday night. 

Michigan Wolverines (+335) 

It's been a comfortable start for Michigan, with 21- and 23-point victories in the books for the Midwest's No. 1 seed. A matchup with No. 4 Alabama looms after the Tide rolled through the opening weekend, but the Wolverines are primed to exploit Aden Holloway's absence for Bama. 

Duke Blue Devils (+370) 

For a brief stretch, Duke looked to be at risk of college basketball's most infamous upset as it neared a double-digit deficit against No. 16 Siena. The tournament's top overall seed woke up, however, and then cruised by TCU in the second round. Now, a matchup with Rick Pitino's St. John's awaits Cameron Boozer and company.  

Houston Cougars (+700) 

Last year's runner-up looks like the team we've come to expect in recent years, with Kelvin Sampson's group suffocating opponents early in tournament play. The Cougars' extra pop offensively has shown up, too, with their 88-point output in the second round higher than any single-game total from last year's run to the final. 

Sweet 16 Odds 

Texas vs. Purdue (-7.5) - Thursday, March 26, at 7:10 p.m. 

Iowa vs. Nebraska (-1.5) - Thursday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. 

Arkansas vs. Arizona (-7.5) - Thursday, March 26, at 9:45 p.m. ET 

Illinois vs. Houston (-2.5) - Thursday, March 26, at 10:05 p.m. ET 

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St. John’s vs. Duke (-6.5) - Friday, March 27, at 7:10 p.m. ET 

Alabama vs. Michigan (-10.5) - Friday, March 27, at 7:35 p.m. ET 

Michigan State vs. UConn (-1.5) - Friday, March 27, at 9:45 p.m. ET 

Tennessee vs. Iowa State (-4.5) - Friday, March 27, at 10:10 p.m. ET 

Click here to see all NCAA Tournament odds at BET99. 

Odds as of March 24, 2026.