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2026 MOP Betting Odds and Predictions for the March Madness Most Outstanding Player

by Matt Lowrimore - 4/2/2026

MOP betting odds and predictions Koa Peat Arizona Wildcats

We have finally reached the Final Four in this year’s NCAA Tournament, and with that, it is time to make your final bets on who you believe will win it all. 

Aside from betting on the Final Four games and National Championship game straight up, there are plenty of other ways to find value on this weekend’s games, which include betting on the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) Award futures market.

This market can be confusing; therefore, my article will explain what it is and how it works. Additionally, I will provide you with the current betting odds, as well as give you my three predictions for who could win this award following the National Championship game next week. 

Doc’s Sports offers college basketball expert picks for every game on our NCAA basketball predictions page.

What is the Most Outstanding Player Award?

The MOP Award is essentially college basketball’s version of a Super Bowl MVP, NBA Finals MVP, or World Series MVP Award. 

The MOP Award is almost always given to the best player on the team who wins the National Championship for their performance throughout the entire NCAA Tournament, especially in the Final Four and National Championship games.

In rare cases, a player from the losing team in the National Championship has won the MOP Award, though it is unlikely to happen in this year’s tournament.

How does the Most Outstanding Player Award Work?

The MOP Award simply works like any other major MVP award. Following the National Championship game, select media members will vote on who they think was the best player throughout the NCAA Tournament and hand out the award accordingly. 

Most Outstanding Player Award Odds

Below are the top 10 betting odds to win college basketball’s Most Outstanding Player Award per FanDuel Sportsbook: 

*Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan): +270

*Brayden Burries (Arizona): +650

*Keaton Wagler (Illinois): +750

*Jaden Bradley (Arizona): +850

*Koa Peat (Arizona): +1000

*Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn): +1300

*Aday Mara (Michigan): +1400

*Elliot Cadeau (Michigan): +1800

*Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan): +1800

*David Mirkovic (Illinois): +2000

Best Bets

Yaxel Lendeborg - Michigan Wolverines (+270)

My first MOP Award pick will target Yaxel Lendeborg, from the Michigan Wolverines. Lendeborg has by far been the best player on Michigan through four games of the tournament, and is averaging 21.0 points per game, and has put up the following numbers:

* 9 points in the First Round against Howard

* 25 points in the Second Round against St. Louis

* 23 points in the Sweet 16 against Alabama

* 27 points in the Elite 8 against Tennessee

Not only is he scoring at a high-rate, but he has been lights out shooting the ball. Lendeborg is shooting 59.2% from the field in the tournament and 50.0% from the three-point line.

Unfortunately for Michigan, they will have to play Arizona in the Final Four, making this pick risky. That being said, the Wolverines will likely be favorites over both Illinois and UConn in the National Championship, so there still looks to be value in backing Lendeborg to win the MOP Award.

Brayden Burries - Arizona Wildcats (+650)

My second MOP Award pick will be Brayden Burries, from the Arizona Wildcats. Burries may be just a freshman, but is leading Arizona in scoring through four games in the tournament, as he is averaging 17.8 points per game, which includes the following totals:

* 18 points in the First Round against Long Island

* 16 points in the Second Round against Utah State

* 23 points in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas

* 14 points in the Elite 8 against Purdue

More impressively, Burries is shooting a crisp 57.9% from the field and an incredible 68.4% from the three-point line.

The same principle applies here, as Arizona will need to get past Michigan for this bet to have a chance. The Wildcats would also likely be favorites over Illinois and UConn in the National Championship, so backing Burries to win the MOP Award still looks to be a worthwhile bet to make.

Tarris Reed Jr. - UConn Huskies (+1300)

My third MOP Award pick, and more of a long shot, will be Tarris Reed Jr., from the UConn Huskies. Like Lendeborg with Michigan and Burries with Arizona, Reed Jr. has easily been the best player for UConn through four tournament games. He is averaging 21.8 points per game, which includes the following point totals:

* 31 points in the First Round against Furman

* 10 points in the Second Round against UCLA

* 20 points in the Sweet 16 against Michigan State

* 26 points in the Elite 8 against Duke

On top of his tremendous scoring ability, Reed Jr. is also shooting an efficient 60% from the field. Another factor that makes Reed Jr. an attractive betting option is that he is averaging 13.5 rebounds per game in the tournament, which includes a 27-rebound game against Furman in the First Round. 

Of course, for this bet to have a chance, UConn is going to have to get past an excellent Illinois team. However, the Huskies just beat Duke in the Elite 8 and have the experience of being at this stage. UConn has plenty of momentum heading into the final weekend of the tournament, so backing Reed Jr. to win the MOP Award is worth a small bet.

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