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2025 March Madness Prop Bets with Expert Predictions

by Jeremy Block - 3/18/2025

March Madness prop bets and predictions Donovan Dent New Mexico Lobos

March Madness is here. And if you’re anything like me, you’re already looking for ways to make this year’s chaos a little more profitable. Forget the standard March Madness picks -- let’s dive into the world of NCAA Tournament prop bets where you can bet on everything from which seed will pull off an upset to who will make it to the Final Four. 

Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just trying to make the tournament a bit more interesting, these prop bets are where the real fun -- and profit -- meet. So, let’s break down these prop bets and predictions you need to make this March Madness one to remember.

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

Our Top Prop Bets and Predictions

Will a 13-seed win a game? YES -145

While the door looks nearly shut for most 13-seeds in the first round -- sorry, Lipscomb and Akron -- it’s wide open for Yale to double down and pull off another upset. The Bulldogs shocked Auburn last year as a 13-seed, and they’ve got a real shot to do it again against a tough Texas A&M squad.

The Aggies aren’t a team to take lightly as a 4-seed, but Yale has the tools to make this interesting. Fresh off an Ivy League Tournament title, the Bulldogs bring a defense that could cause problems for A&M’s biggest strength -- offensive rebounding. Texas A&M is averaging more than 42 rebounds per game, but Yale ranks 29th in the nation in rebounds per game, which could limit second-chance opportunities and force the Aggies into tougher looks.

Adding to that, the Bulldogs have been lethal from 3-point range, ranking eighth in the country in three-point percentage at 38.8%, which could be a nail in the coffin for the A&M defense that doesn’t exactly lock teams down. If Yale gets hot from outside, this one could slip away from the Aggies fast.

Look, A&M is scrappy and hungry for a deep tournament run, but Yale has already shown they know how to play the spoiler. I like their chances to pull off another first-round stunner and make it two straight years of 13-seed magic. And hey, that’s coming from a Princeton fan.

Which seed will win the tournament? No. 2 +500

 Call it a hot take if you want, but I’m putting all my chips on a No. 2 seed to shock everyone and cut down the nets when this tournament is over. And no, I’m not talking about Michigan State or Alabama, despite their strong seasons. I’m rolling with St. John’s and Tennessee to make a surprising run.

It’s all about defense in March, and both the Red Storm and the Volunteers have it in spades. St. John’s ranks 31st in the nation in points allowed per game, holding teams to just 40% from the field, which places them 17th overall. Tennessee? Well, they’re even better. Leading the nation in three-point defense, keeping opponents to just 27.8% from deep, and holding teams to just 38% inside the arc. 

Now, don’t get it twisted -- these teams aren’t slouches on offense either. Sure, they aren’t launching 3-pointers at the same clip as some of the high-powered offenses you’ll see in this tournament, but they can still put up points, and they do it inside the arc. 

Coming out of the West, both teams are set to make a statement right away. St. John’s should handle Omaha, and Tennessee is ready to take care of Wofford. After that, it’s going to be a steady march forward, and I’m betting they’ll shock everyone by making a deep run and reminding the basketball world what a strong defense can get you. 

Any Buzzer Beater in First Round of NCAA Tournament? YES +300

Let’s be real -- no one bets on a team hoping for a buzzer-beater. But when it’s March Madness? Everyone secretly wants to see one. It’s part of what makes this tournament the wildest ride in sports.

And when it comes to buzzer-beaters, college hoops in March takes the crown. Since 1944, there have been 46 documented buzzer-beaters in NCAA Tournament history. Here’s a fun fact for you -- 19 of them have come in the first round. So, what does that tell us? 

The opening round has produced some of the tournament’s most chaotic finishes. And with the matchups we’ve got this year, it’s hard to imagine we won’t get at least one game coming down to the wire. Someone’s going to rise to the occasion, hit a cold-blooded shot at the horn, and stamp their name into March Madness history.

Think this is an odd bet? Maybe. But more people have cashed in on it than you’d expect. This isn’t a wager to overlook.

2025 Men's NCAA Tournament Wins by Mountain West -- Over 2.5 +125

The Mountain West Conference isn’t exactly known for stacking up wins in this tournament. But this time? It’s a different story. I’m backing this conference to hit over 2.5 wins -- and I’m calling my shot that all of them come in the first round.

Let’s start with Colorado State. The Rams are coming in hot after securing the Mountain West Championship, and they've got a prime opportunity to keep that momentum rolling against Memphis. While the Tigers are the higher seed, they've been struggling with turnovers and rebounding all season long -- two things that could seriously hurt them against a disciplined CSU team.

Next up, New Mexico. The Lobos have a tough draw with Marquette, but they’ve got one of the best point guards in the country in Donovan Dent, who’s putting up 20.6 points per game. And he’s not doing it alone -- big man Nelly Junior Joseph has been a force inside, averaging a double-double with 14 points and 11.2 boards per game. With that kind of inside-out attack, don’t be shocked if New Mexico walks away with the ‘W’.

And then there’s Utah State. The Aggies are squaring up against UCLA. And even though the Bruins are the higher seed and more efficient when it comes to 2P field goal percentage, they’re atrocious on the boards and lack the offensive depth Utah State has. Meanwhile, the Aggies are averaging 17.4 assists per game and have a stronger rebounding foundation -- giving them a recipe for a first-round win.

Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Nobody’s expecting these teams to make a deep run, and I’m not calling for a Cinderella story here. But three first-round wins? That’s absolutely in play. After that? Let’s just say the Mountain West’s fun will probably be short-lived.

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