March Madness is truly unparalleled. From friendly bracket competitions to bettors flocking to sportsbooks for their March Madness fix, an estimated $8.5 billion is wagered annually on the NCAA tournament.
2022 marked the first time Arizonans could participate in March Madness betting. The 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament offers another opportunity for bettors in Arizona to place wagers on the games.
We will guide you through the nuances of March Madness betting in the Grand Canyon State, encompassing live game odds for each tournament match and March Madness futures odds throughout the year.
Best March Madness odds at Arizona online sportsbooks
The March Madness betting odds listed below are automatically refreshed directly from authorized Arizona betting apps. Click on any odds to be redirected to the sportsbook, claim your bonus, and commence your betting.
Betting on March Madness
Both professional and collegiate basketball presents numerous betting opportunities. Whether you’re an experienced gambler or a beginner, you have access to a wide range of wagers.
Here’s a brief explanation of each one.
- Moneylines: These are the most straightforward bets to place. A sportsbook, such as Fanduel Arizona, will select a favorite and an underdog for each game. The favorites usually have a negative number for their odds, such as -110, while the underdogs display positive numbers, like +130. Your task is to choose the winning team. If your prediction is correct, your payout will be based on the odds and the amount you bet.
- Point spreads refer to a prevalent betting style used in major sports. The process begins when bookmakers evaluate a game and determine the favorite and underdog teams, similar to the method used for moneyline betting. The unique aspect of point spreads is that bookmakers assign a certain number of points to the underdog team’s final score. For instance, the underdog team may receive an additional +3.5 points, while the favorite team gets -3.5. To win a bet on the underdog, the team must either win outright or lose by less than 3.5 points. Conversely, the favorite team must not only win, but they must win by at least 3.5 points for bets placed on them to pay off.
- Totals, also known as over/under bets, require you as the bettor to determine whether the final combined score of the two teams will be over or under the total predicted by oddsmakers. For instance, if the final score is 83-77, the combined score is 160 points. In this type of bet, the game’s winner is irrelevant; your focus is solely on the combined final score.
- Futures: A futures bet is a wager placed on a future event. For instance, at BetMGM sportsbook, you can place a bet on the team you think will win the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Right after the conclusion of the last March Madness tournament, the odds for each team are typically quite long and they generally remain that way throughout the summer. However, when the NCAA basketball season starts, the odds begin to decrease as more games are played and more data is available to the bookmakers. If you choose to bet early, you could potentially reap a large reward, but you also take on a bigger risk. On the other hand, you can minimize your risk by waiting until you have a better idea of which teams are performing well and have a realistic chance of making a run for the tournament.
- Props: Prop betting refers to a type of side bet you place with a sportsbook, which relates to specific events within games or seasons. While some prop bets can be quite frivolous, many are quite serious and necessitate substantial research before you risk your money. Examples of these bets could include the number of three-point shots made or attempted in a game. A broad range of such bets can be found at your preferred sportsbook.
- Live betting is the latest development in the world of gambling, made possible through online and mobile sportsbooks. Also referred to as in-game betting, these bets are placed in real-time during the live action of a game. The odds fluctuate with every play, possession, and second on the clock, necessitating the use of online sportsbooks as traditional commercial sportsbooks cannot keep pace with the rapidly changing odds. Live betting enhances engagement with the games like never before in the gambling arena. If you’ve placed a bet on the next successful shot, you’re bound to watch the game from start to finish.
Why do lines change at sportsbooks?
As previously noted, sportsbook odds for any specific game or bet can fluctuate. If you’ve already placed your bet and the odds change afterward, there’s no cause for concern. Your bet is secured. However, there are instances where the odds may change to a more beneficial direction for a bet you’ve already placed. In such a situation, you may want to consider increasing your stake with a second bet. Conversely, the odds can also shift against you, making the alternative bet a more appealing choice.
Lines usually shift due to two primary elements: information and public betting. Oddsmakers utilize a vast amount of data to ascertain the favorite or underdog team, setting odds based on these conclusions. However, their certainty about a team’s victory in a game can be destabilized or strengthened with the emergence of new information.
The range of this information could vary from an injury to a significant player, to the favorite’s victory run unexpectedly ending the previous night, or their rival unexpectedly performing better than predicted prior to the match. The data that alters the odds for certain games can originate from numerous places. The crucial thing is that this news prompts oddsmakers to reassess their perspective on a specific game.
Public betting has the power to alter odds, particularly when a large majority supports one outcome. Oddsmakers and sportsbooks, whose main goal is profit, risk potential earnings when the public overwhelmingly supports one result. Imagine the situation where 80% of bettors win that popular bet. As a reaction, oddsmakers adjust the odds to make the less popular outcome more attractive. Their goal is to encourage bets on this less popular outcome to minimize potential losses.
Reasons to bet on March Madness online
You might be questioning the need to register for an online sportsbook. The reasons are straightforward – convenience and security.
Primarily, an online sportsbook allows you to place bets from any location in Arizona, at any hour. On the other hand, retail sportsbooks necessitate your presence at a specific location during specific hours for participation.
Moreover, you have the convenience of accessing various sportsbooks right at your fingertips, enabling you to scout for the best odds. Not all sportsbooks offer the same odds, implying that you might discover a higher potential return on your bet at one book than others. With this in mind, do not hesitate to look around for the best odds for any March Madness bet you are considering.
A couple of things we dislike about retail sportsbooks include the necessity to queue before placing your bets, and the requirement to know the specific numbers assigned to your game when interacting with the cashier.
Mobile sportsbooks are not plagued by human error or common real-world inconveniences. You can place your bets without concerns about queues or an uncertain cashier. Everything is swift, straightforward, and completed without fuss.
In conclusion, the most exciting aspect of using a mobile sportsbook is the exhilaration of live betting. Therefore, if you’re looking to participate in Arizona sports betting, March Madness betting sites and apps are essential.
How do I sign up for an online sportsbook account?
The evolution of online sportsbooks has significantly transformed gambling. Fortunately, this transformation does not mean complex registration processes. Initiating your journey is exceptionally straightforward.
Primarily, utilize our website to locate a sportsbook that best aligns with your needs and interests. We regularly review newly opened books for public viewing, giving you a good sense of what to anticipate when seeking a new one. Be sure to use our unique links at your preferred sportsbook. This action enables you to access the top promotions currently available for new users.
Upon visiting the sportsbook, you will be given the chance to register for a new account. After arriving, you will undertake a few simple steps prior to placing a bet:
- Input fundamental details like your name, email, and date of birth.
- After completing the registration process, you can download the mobile app either directly from the sportsbook website or the relevant app store onto your device.
- Sign in on your mobile and place your initial deposit to claim any qualifying promotions or bonuses.
- Make your first bets
Free versus paid March Madness contests
If you have ever been employed in an office setting, chances are you have had the opportunity to join a March Madness bracket pool. In this, you contribute a minimal sum of money, make your predictions, and see whether you emerge as the victor who either…
A) Possesses a working crystal ball B) Is excessively knowledgeable about college basketball
You may not be aware, but there are two kinds of online brackets. One is a free bracket contest that typically comes with a prize at the end, and the other is a paid bracket contest that provides payouts based on odds.
Free March Madness contests
DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook are the most notable online platforms for free NCAA Tournament contests. Free entry is available even if you don’t reside in a state where sports betting is legal.
Here are a few of the most popular ones:
- Join the DraftKings March Mania Survivor Pool for free. Choose a winner for each round and day of the tournament. Make it to the end and you could win a share of the $30,000 grand prize.
- If you fail in the first survivor pool of DraftKings, a new game starts with the Sweet 16 in the Second-Chance Survivor Pool.
- Bracket Challenge by DraftKings: Complete a bracket and gain points for successful picks. The leading 5,096 players get cash prizes, with the 1st place winner receiving $2,500.
- Bracket Pick’em on FanDuel: It’s free to participate. Simply complete a bracket and accumulate points for victories to compete for cash rewards.
BetMGM Sportsbook has truly upped the ante this time with a complimentary bracket contest. Functioning like other competitions, you accumulate points for accurate selections with the prize increasing with each round. The highest-scoring bracket secures $100,000. Should anyone achieve a flawless bracket, a whopping $10 million prize is bestowed.
March Madness betting tips & strategies
All gamblers have unique tactics and methods for placing bets. Even if you’re a novice, you’ll soon develop your own style. If you’re seeking some advice for betting on March Madness, here are a few strategies we recommend.
- Homework isn’t exclusively for college athletes participating in tournaments; every bettor should also do their due diligence. Before placing a bet, thoroughly research each game, including the recent performance of the teams involved, their strength of schedule, and the condition of their key players. In short, keep studying, studying, studying.
- Honor the top teams: Tournament seeds are not randomly assigned; they are given for a specific reason. The highest seeds are given to the best performing teams, something which you should not overlook as a bettor. To give you some perspective, the seeds No. 1 to 4 have the highest overall winning percentage in NCAA Tournament history. While upsets can occur, unless you have a compelling reason to bet against a top-seeded team, we advise that you acknowledge the prowess of these powerful teams.
- However, don’t completely shy away from upsets. While doing your homework, you may find information indicating that a higher-ranked team lacks the strength to dominate an allegedly inferior opponent. Perhaps you observe recent playing trends suggesting the favourite is weak or stagnant. Alternatively, the underdog might pose unusual matchup issues or have a highly skilled reserve team. If your research genuinely suggests a high potential for an upset, trust your data. Don’t hesitate to bet on that upset.
Arizona teams in March Madness
The University of Arizona and Arizona State, the top two college basketball programs in Arizona, have respectable histories with the NCAA Tournament.
The Arizona State Sun Devils have qualified for the Big Dance 16 times, accumulating 14 wins and 17 losses. However, they have never advanced to the Final Four.
The Arizona Wildcats have a strong history in the NCAA Tournament, having qualified for the competition 36 times. They boast an impressive record of 58 victories and 35 losses. They made it to the Final Four four times, reached the National Championship game once, and in 1997, clinched the title of the country’s greatest team.
To clarify, those two colleges are not the only Arizona schools with a history in March Madness. The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks have made it to the tournament twice, in 1998 and 2000, although they were defeated in their first game on both occasions. In 1998, the Lumberjacks, seeded 15th, narrowly lost to No. 2 seed Cincinnati, 65-62. They also managed to secure a No. 15 seed in the 2000 tournament, where they faced off against a formidable No. 2 St. John’s and were beaten 61-56.
In 2021, Grand Canyon University, known as the home of the Antelopes and boasting nearly 19,000 full-time students, earned a spot in the tournament with a No. 15 seed. Despite losing their first game 74-56 to No. 2 seed Iowa, the significance was not lost. The real victory was in the Antelopes securing a chance to compete against some of the best NCAA teams in the nation.