March Madness 2025 Betting Odds and Predictions – Auburn and Duke Leading the Pack

For the week of February 19, it’s still the Tigers at the top of the rankings! Auburn has been the #1 team in the country for six straight weeks, and are also the top overall seed in the early March Madness rankings.

1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/8lWDRkoLzb

— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) January 13, 2025

The Tigers played rival Alabama on the road, and showed a ton of grit and heart to beat the then-#2 Crimson Tide 94-85. In a rivalry that is normally known for football, the basketball programs put on a show. Alabama fought back from a double-digit deficit, but Auburn held them off thanks to 19 points and 14 rebounds from Johni Broome. The Tigers also held the Crimson Tide to 5of-26 from three-point land.

Only three teams score more in the country per game than Auburn, but the Tigers showed they can make timely stops when they need to. They also shoot the 3-ball well (37.3%), but they have an efficient scorer in Broome, who has 15 double-doubles on the season!

The Blue Devils are third in the rankings, and slated to be a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament as they go in search of their sixth national title, and first since 2015. Duke has bounced back from an upset at Clemson to win three straight games by an average of 25 points!

road dub 🤫👿 pic.twitter.com/gaqGZSyINg

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 18, 2025

Cooper Flagg has shown that he is not only a versatile offensive player and a popular pick among college basketball player props, but he can get after it on the defensive end as well. Tyrese Proctor is also helping out offensive, averaging 17.6 points over his last five games.

The Blue Devils don’t play a ranked team over their five remaining regular-season games, and it would be a massive upset if they don’t win the ACC Tournament. If they stay healthy, Duke should stay near the top of these 2025 March Madness odds! They have Flagg and a fantastic defense, and that’s worth a look at college basketball betting sites.

Out of the trio of Alabama, Houston, and Florida, I’m leaning towards the Gators because of their defense. Florida is 34^th in the country in points allowed, and eighth in points scored. Houston leads the nation in points allowed, but they’re 150^th in points scored.

back to back dubs at🏠#GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/gsHnDKZw2h

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) February 19, 2025

Florida has won five straight since losing by 20 points at Tennessee, winning four of the five by 11 points or more. The game that they didn’t, was a nine-point win at Auburn, joining Duke as the only teams to beat the Tigers this season! It was a very impressive road win, and the Gators aren’t afraid of anyone, which bodes well for their 2025 March Madness odds!

The Volunteers offer some solid March Madness betting value based on a tough two-point loss at Auburn, and they just won back-to-back games over Florida and Missouri. However, they’ve lost twice to Kentucky this season, and they got blown out by Florida earlier this season.

Igor over his last 5:

14.8 ppg
6.8 rpg
3.2 apg

66.7 fg%
55.0 3fg% pic.twitter.com/pOTHKpsOFN

— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) February 18, 2025

Tennessee has gotten some good play out of Igor Milicic Jr., who is averaging 10.9 points and 7.8 rebounds this season, but 14.8 points over his last five games. The Vols struggle to score points, but Milicic Jr. gives Tennessee a solid third option behind guards Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler.