Introduction to March Madness 2026
The college basketball season is heating up, and the Michigan Wolverines are surging up the rankings with an impressive 11-0 start, winning eight straight games by double digits. As the regular season progresses, the team has emerged as the favorite in the latest March Madness and college basketball odds. This article provides an updated look at the National Championship odds heading into the new year, along with key trends, past winners, and expert insights.
March Madness Odds and Betting Splits
Odds as of December 28, 2025, indicate that the Michigan Wolverines are the current favorites to win the national championship. The highest ticket percentage is held by Michigan at 11.7%, followed by Duke at 9.3% and Purdue at 8.7%. In terms of handle percentage, Michigan leads with 15.1%, followed by Purdue at 10.3% and UConn at 8.9%. All data courtesy of BetMGM.
March Madness 2026 Schedule
The March Madness 2026 schedule is as follows:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Selection Sunday | March 15 |
| First Four | March 17-18 |
| First Round | March 19-20 |
| Second Round | March 21-22 |
| Sweet 16 | March 26-27 |
| Elite Eight | March 28-29 |
| Final Four | April 4 |
| National Championship Game | April 6 |
Popular March Madness Markets and Past Winners
Some popular March Madness markets include the National Championship winner, Final Four participants, and conference winners. Past March Madness winners include Florida in 2025, Connecticut in 2024, and Kansas in 2022. A list of past winners is provided below:
| Year | Champion | Opening Odds | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Florida | +8000 | Houston |
| 2024 | Connecticut | +1100 | Purdue |
| 2023 | Connecticut | +1600 | San Diego State |
| 2022 | Kansas | +2000 | North Carolina |
| 2021 | Baylor | +800 | Gonzaga |
March Madness Trends
Some notable trends in March Madness include the fact that only seven of the 20 teams that have entered the tournament with undefeated records have gone on to win the national championship. Additionally, only 13 teams have successfully defended their national championship the following season. UCLA has the most NCAA titles of all time with 11, although the Bruins have not won the tournament since 1995. A No. 1-seeded team has won the national championship 59.6% of the time since regional seeding was introduced in 1979.
March Madness Title Odds FAQs
Some frequently asked questions about March Madness title odds include: Who are the current favorites to win March Madness in 2026? The Michigan Wolverines (+450) are the current favorites to win the national championship. Who won the March Madness tournament last year? The Florida Gators won March Madness in 2025, defeating Houston 65-63 in the national championship. What are the odds of Duke winning March Madness? The Duke Blue Devils are currently listed at +1000 to win the natty.
Smart Tip for Readers
When filling out your March Madness bracket, consider the historical performance of No. 1 seeds and the trends of past winners, but also don’t be afraid to pick a few upsets to advance to the later rounds. For more information on March Madness odds, visit Here
