2023 March Madness Favorites: Who Are the Favorites to Win the NCAA Tournament?
2023 March Madness Favorites: Who Are the Favorites to Win the NCAA Tournament?
Unlike recent years there is no overwhelming favorite in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. This seems like a year more than any in recent memory that we can see a sleeper win the NCAA Tournament. Still, twelve of the last fifteen national champions have been number 1-seeds heading into March Madness. The lowest seed to ever win the NCAA Tournament was in 1985 when the Villanova Wildcats tunned the world as an 8-Seed.
Looking for free bets to use for March Madness? Click here to claim over $5,000 in free bets to use on March Madness
There are a number of teams that can make a deep run this year, but there are always favorites.
It's named "March Madness" for a reason. Anything can happen. Here are the favorites in this year's NCAA Tournament.
2023 March Madness Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Houston | +600 |
| Alabama | +800 |
| Kansas | +1200 |
| Purdue | +1200 |
| UCLA | +1400 |
| Arizona | +1600 |
| Gonzaga | +1600 |
| UConn | +1800 |
| Texas | +2000 |
Click here for the latest March Madness odds
2023 March Madness Favorites
Houston NCAA Tournament Odds (+600) (Bet $100 to Collect $700) Best Odds Available at Caesars
The favorites in the NCAA Tournament, the Houston Cougars, have everything it takes to lift the National Championship trophy. They have a top defense in the nation to go along with their star guard play. One big question mark though is the health of guard Marcus Sasser. He's battling a groin injury, and his injury's severity can be back-breaking to the Cougars. Houston will make a deep run behind Sasser and ascending star Jarace Walker if healthy.
Alabama NCAA Tournament Odds (+800) (Bet $100 to Collect $900) Best Odds Available at FanDuel
The Crimson Tide are the best overall team in the country. They own one of the best defenses and are led by the likely number two overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, Brandon Miller. This team has dealt with adversity this season and is ready for the big stage in March. They are the number one overall seed in the tournament, and getting them at this price below Houston may prove to be valuable.
Kansas NCAA Tournament Odds (+1200) (Bet $100 to Collect $1,300) Best Odds Available at FanDuel
Kansas may have dropped the Big 12 Championship game to Texas, but the Jayhawks are primed to make a deep run in this year's tournament. They are the defending champions, and Bill Self is one of the greatest coaches of this generation. They have a star in Jalen Wilson that can carry them and Gradey Dick.
Purdue NCAA Tournament Odds (+1200) (Bet $100 to Collect $1,300) Best Odds Available at FanDuel
The Big Ten champions can be a force as they have won this season against some great teams in Gonzaga, Duke, and Marquette outside conference play. The Boilermakers defense is concerning, though, and can end up being its biggest fault heading into March Madness. Many people predict the Memphis Tigers to upset the Boilermakers in the Sweet 16 if they meet.
UCLA NCAA Tournament Odds (+1400) (Bet $100 to Collect $1,500) Best Odds Available at BetRivers
The UCLA Bruins are possibly the best defensive team in the NCAA Tournament. According to KenPom, the Bruins finished as the best overall defense. They will be without Jaylen Clark though, a key part of this UCLA squad and arguably the best defender in the country. Mick Cronin is an excellent coach that will find ways to fill the void created by the loss of Clark. UCLA has strong guard play and can compete deep into March Madness.
Arizona NCAA Tournament Odds (+1600) (Bet $100 to Collect $1,700) Best Odds Available at PointsBet
The Wildcats are a Jekyll and Hyde team for me. They shoot extremely well from the field and from the three-point territory, but they struggle at the foul line. They defeated UCLA in the PAC-12 Championship, but the defense and foul shooting can be detrimental to this team in the NCAA Tournament.
Gonzaga NCAA Tournament Odds (+1600) (Bet $100 to Collect $1,700) Best Odds Available at BetMGM
The Zags have NEVER won the NCAA Tournament despite how dominant they have been in recent years. The Bulldogs offense is elite. Quite possibly, the best offensive team in the NCAA Tournament. They shoot lights out with a field goal percentage above 58%. Despite owning one of the best shooting teams their defense will haunt them when it comes time to face a fast-paced offense that will look to push the ball and force Gonzaga into tough situations on the defensive end.