2026 March Madness Props Best Bets and Expert Predictions

by Ryan Cobbett - 3/18/2026

March Madness props best bets Bennett Stirtz Iowa Hawkeyes

We all like to score the upsets and we get overly excited when we narrowly escape the first eight games with a perfect bracket. However, March Madness is much more than a perfect bracket. While that is everyone’s coveted prize, there are other bids we can track that will fill our pockets. One of those avenues is the prop bets that surround every team and every game. While we finalize our brackets, consider the upsets, and look over matchups for the 100th time since Sunday night, here are some strong prop bets to consider while we fill up our cards and await the glorious first-round on Thursday.

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Team Totals

High Point Team Total Over 77.5 -110

With the first prop bet, we have a team total over selection. The High Point Panthers are entering the tournament as a 12-Seed, where they will take on the 5-Seed Wisconsin Badgers. The over for this game is set at 164.5, with the Panthers team total line set at 77.5. Take the over. High Point has averaged 90 PPG this season, they create second chance looks, shoot over 35% from beyond the arc as a team, and they have a pesky defense that creates over 16 turnovers per game. Hight Point will score 80 points or more in this one as they pursue the upset bid.

Texas Tech Team Total Over 82.5 -110

Another team total over to like is with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Red Raiders will be clashing with Akron, another high scoring mid-major, but the Zips have major holes on defense. Their perimeter play is weak which will open up the table for Christian Anderson (if healthy) and Donovan Atwell, both of whom are shooting over 42% from deep this season. Akron also allowed a lot of second chance opportunities during the regular season, which Texas Tech will capitalize on. Even without Toppin, expect the Red Raiders to win a shootout, scoring 90 or more.

To Advance Further

Arkansas vs Kansas – Arkansas +130

Our next set of prop bets challenges you to pick which team will advance further. In our first “matchup,” we have Arkansas and Kansas. Kansas has an incredibly tough path if they wish to reach the Sweet 16. Not only do they have to get past a highly motivated Cal Baptist team, they will square off against the Big East Champion St. John’s who is the toughest 5-Seed in the history of the tournament. As for Arkansas, they have a much easier path, especially if High Point manages to knock off the Badgers. Neither team reaches the Elite Eight, and the Razorbacks are much more likely to reach the Sweet 16 that the Jayhawks who have to get past St. John’s.

Iowa vs Missouri – Iowa +150

Our next set is Iowa and Missouri. Both teams have incredibly tough first-round matchups, but the Hawkeyes at +150 to win this set is the way to go. Iowa has Bennett Stirtz who is one of the best players in the country, and they will slow the game down against Clemson. That Clemson game is the key here. Even if Missouri manages to pull off the upset, the Hawkeyes are much more likely to upend Florida than the Tigers knocking out Purdue in the Round of 32. Trust the talented Hawkeye Guard to get it done here.

To Miss Round of 32

Alabama +540

The Aden Holloway storyline adds some intrigue here. Alabama is without their best three-point threat and their second leading scorer. When Holloway was off the floor, the offense was much more inefficient. Hofstra has some solid guards, which makes this upset bid worth a flier. Throw some couch change on Alabama missing out on the Round of 32 at +540.

Texas Tech +285

Another team on upset alert is the Texas Tech Red Raiders. While Akron does have some holes defensively, the Zips have a high-powered offense. They are averaging nearly 90 PPG, shooting 50% as a team, and nearly 38% from beyond the arc. While the Red Raiders play tough perimeter defense, the Zips have five players who play regularly shooting over 37% from deep. Without Toppin, the Red Raiders may hit the over on their team total for the game, but the Zips may out score them. At +285, this is a nice value pick.

To Reach Round of 32

Santa Clara +128

It may surprise some to see Santa Clara carry around a +128 number to upset the blue-blood Kentucky Wildcats. However, if you crunch the numbers, Santa Clara ranks 22nd in the nation in offensive efficiency, they average over 13 offensive RPG, are active from deep, and force over 14 turnovers per game. The Wildcats are not as strong as some of the Kentucky teams of old, and they are certainly in for a tough first-round matchup with a highly motivated Broncos team ready to eliminate a blue-blood and SEC team.

High Point +390

This is the upset pick of the year. The High Point Panthers are a strong team to choose for an upset. They are fast ranking in the Top 50 in the nation in tempo, they create turnovers, and the Panthers match up well against the Wisconsin Badgers who have the tendency to go ice cold from deep. The easiest formula for a High Point win is to be aggressive early, jump out to an early lead and keep the pressure on. This Badgers team is not built for comebacks. Take the Panthers at +390 to win their first-round matchup and reach the Round of 32.

To Reach Sweet 16

High Point +2500

And with that, I am riding with the Panthers to be this year’s Cinderella team and reach the Sweet 16. A win against Wisconsin would pit them against a 4-Seed Arkansas team or a 13-Seed Hawai’i team. Let’s get the least likely scenario out of the way first, if Hawai’i upsets the SEC Tournament Champions, then High Point can go ahead and put their magnet on the Sweet 16 box. If Arkansas avoids the unlikely upset and has to face the Panthers, there are some variables to like about another High Point upset. Arkansas is an offensive team; they do not have a strong emphasis on defense. The Panthers would get their looks, their perimeter defense would limit Arkansas ability to get big leads, and the turnover potential the Panthers carry can be game changing. At +2500, this could be a game changing prop bet to tail.

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Start:	March 18, 2026 @ 11:00 PM
Expert:	Tony George
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2026 March Madness Props Best Bets and Expert Predictions

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