The Women’s NCAA Tournament is almost here, and excitement is at an all-time high. Fans are busy filling out brackets as the First Four tips off on Wednesday, March 20, followed by the round of 64 on Friday.
But who do fans think can cut down the nets after clinching a national championship? Let’s take a look.
South Carolina Top the Odds and Fan Picks for Women’s NCAA Tournament
The South Carolina Gamecocks, led by coach Dawn Staley, are stealing the spotlight as the team to beat in the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Betting odds from ESPN BET list them at +275, hinting at strong confidence from both fans and oddsmakers.
Right behind them is UConn at +300, a powerhouse striving for its first championship since 2016.
The field tightens with UCLA and USC, who are tied at +600, Texas at +650, and Notre Dame at +750. This marks a historic shift as the six teams feature odds shorter than +1000, which used to be considered extremely rare even during the last decade, according to ESPN Research.
For years, the tournament leaned heavily on dominant favorites. Since 2015, no pre-tournament top pick had odds longer than +180, and six of nine went on to win it all. This time, things feel different. According to Johnny Avello from DraftKings, “It’s more wide open than ever.”
He shared that some traditional giants might not be as invincible because other programs have risen to match them. Beyond the top six, teams like TCU (+4000), LSU, Duke, and N.C. State (all at +6000) lurk as potential spoilers.
MORE MARCH MADNESS: ‘I Never Thought I’d Be a No. 1 Seed and Feel Disrespected’ — USC’s Lindsay Gottlieb Reacts To NCAA Tournament Seeding
LSU, led by coach Kim Mulkey, is drawing big bets across sportsbooks. UCLA, the No. 1 overall seed, is another worry for oddsmakers. The Bruins, who started the season at +1200, now hold 10% of the betting handle at DraftKings and top Caesars’ liability list after exceeding expectations.
BetMGM even took a massive $25,000 wager on South Carolina at +320 odds.
Caesars trader Patrick Bebert said, “The field is more balanced this year.” Tickets are spread fairly evenly among the top teams, with longshots like LSU and Duke also grabbing attention. Fans and bettors alike see the Gamecocks as the team to beat, but with parity at an all-time high, the path to the April 6 final in Cleveland is anyone’s game.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
