The Story Behind March Madness

The Greatest College Basketball Tournament Is Set, but Only True Fans Know the Story Behind the Name.

The Madness Has Arrived

It’s that time of year when March Madness games captivate the country. Regardless of how college basketball has changed with the advent of legalized wagering, NIL, and the transfer portal, fans can’t wait to delve into the field of 64.

March Madness earned its moniker due to the huge interest and “predictable unpredictability” of the NCAA men’s basketball tourney. Buzzer beaters and surprising results seem to rule the day.

“Madness” ensues when teams representing the entire have at it, those smaller schools out of “disenfranchised” conferences having a rare shot to play (and perhaps knock off) a behemoth.

Whether you’re a serious bettor or just a casual builder of brackets, there are so many things to consider, especially since the tourney brings together teams with no history against one another.

Questions are abounding, including…

• Lay/take the points or bet the money line?

• Which 2-seed is probably losing to a 15? 

• Who is poised to make a deep run in the tourney? 

• What about those tricky pairings of 8-9 seeds? 

As the gazillions of people who’ve filled out a March Madness bracket await the teams trying to survive and advance, remember no one has ever come close to perfectly predicting the tournament in its entirety.

That doesn’t dissuade just about everyone and his uncle, whether it’s in pay-to-play or free-to-play contests.

Historians note the first NCAA tournament was back in 1939, won by the University of Oregon with the current 68-team format (pared down to 64 teams after play-ins) beginning in 2011.

Here’s a bit of a primer on the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament…

When Does March Madness Start?

NCAAB news had the men’s basketball tournament beginning at its usual Dayton, Ohio, venue. quartet of play-in games determining the teams filling out the full field of 64. Then, the tourney (as of this writing) was traversing the United States, with the opening round at eight arenas in Lexington, Kentucky, Providence, Rhode Island, Seattle, Washington, Wichita, Kansas, Cleveland, Ohio, Denver, Colorado, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Eventually, the March Madness schedule winds its way to the cavernous Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Final Four begins April 5th, with the national title game going on April 7th.

Which Team Is the Favorite to Win March Madness?

It’s been a decade since Duke’s Blue Devils took down the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Entering the 2025 tourney at 31-3 and winners of its last 11, Duke is the 3-1 (+300) BetUS favorite to do it this season, needing to win six March Madness games to accomplish the feat.

It’s no gimme, however, as several schools have their share of supporters (see below section). 

Does BetUS Have Constant Updates on March Madness Winners’ Odds?

March Madness picks and predictions include a variety of options, especially when it comes to the biggest prize out there, finding the eventual national champ. 

As was mentioned, it’s the Duke Blue Devils as tepid 3-1 (+300) favorites to win their first title in a decade, the second-choice Florida Gators at 15-4 (+375). 

Priced at 9-2 (+450) are the Auburn Tigers, while the Houston Cougars are 6-1 (+600) on the NCAAB betting odds, the only other team under double digits as of this writing. At No. 5 on the betting board are the 20-1 (+2000) Alabama Crimson Tide, Michigan St. Spartans, St. John’s Red Storm, and Tennessee Volunteers

Note the odds of winning the title are fluid (these were in progress during the first round of the tourney). Do not forget to check ‘em before wagering.

Quickly to the University of Connecticut Huskies and their attempt at a three-peat. UConn is 80-1 (+8000) to pull off what would be the first “hat trick” since the dynastic UCLA Bruin teams of the 1960s through the 70’s.          

Any Final Thoughts?

Fans of NCAAB rumors are in their glory around this time of year. Teams they know well and teams they know nothing about, both come into play in the tournament. Who has a shot to win it all and who’s a one-and-done entity? Do some homework when it comes to March Madness odds and go figure it out.