Best NCAA March Madness Tournament Future Bets

March Madness is officially here. The brackets are set, the tournament tips off Thursday, and the road to the national championship begins. But before the games start, there’s still time to look at the futures market, where the right pick can turn into a big payday.

This article highlights three NCAA Tournament futures bets worth targeting. One backs the defending national champion with strong odds to repeat. Another focuses on an SEC team powered by elite guard play—always a key ingredient for a deep March run. And the third looks at a team that has changed its playing style at the perfect time, giving it real upset potential.

All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.

Florida +750 Winner of NCAA Tournament

Florida looks like a strong futures bet to win the national championship. The defending champs are back as a No. 1 seed and finished the regular season on a roll, going 16-2 in a loaded SEC that still sent 10 teams to the NCAA Tournament.

The Gators dominate the paint, averaging 43.5 points inside per game — fourth nationally — while ranking in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive rebounding. That physical style is built for March, especially with a deep eight-man rotation that can score, rebound and push the pace in transition.

Florida also benefits from a relatively favorable path early in the bracket. The road appears manageable until a likely Elite Eight showdown with either Houston or Illinois. With championship experience, elite interior play and solid odds, Florida stands out as a smart futures bet to cut down the nets again.

Arkansas +1100 Winner of West Region

Success in the NCAA Tournament starts with guard play. The Razorbacks are led by one of the best in the country in Darius Acuff Jr., the SEC Player and Freshman of the Year. Acuff averaged 22.7 points, 6.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds this season while shooting 48.7% from the field and 43.7% from three-point range. He also caught fire in the SEC Tournament, pouring in 30.3 points per game against elite competition.

It also helps having John Calipari on the bench. Arkansas has a high-scoring roster built around dynamic guards and versatile wings, with veterans like Trevon Brazile adding experience. The Razorbacks also tested themselves with a tough schedule that included several teams capable of deep tournament runs. Fatigue after the SEC Tournament is a small concern, but this team has the talent to win the West.

Virginia +1100 Winner of Midwest Region

The Cavaliers look very different this season, evolving from the slow, grind-it-out style long associated with Tony Bennett into a much more explosive offensive team.

This year’s group spreads the scoring around with seven players averaging at least 8.3 points per game, making them difficult to defend. Nearly half of Virginia’s shots come from three-point range, creating a modern, high-powered attack built around spacing and second-chance opportunities. Belgian freshman Thijs De Ridder has been a key addition, providing efficient scoring and perimeter shooting alongside several sharp-shooting transfers.

Virginia is also coming off a run to the ACC Tournament title game and has quietly developed strong chemistry. With improved offense and the program’s trademark defensive toughness still in place, the Cavaliers have the profile of a dangerous Midwest Region sleeper.