Get Ready to Watch the Big Game in '26! Secure Your Ticket Before It's Too Late!

Selection Sunday is over, the bracket has been released and March Madness is upon us. While we have plenty of tips to help you fill out your brackets and make your first-round wagers , there are also plenty of opportunities for futures wagers — teams to win the national championship, make the Sweet 16 and more. Duke (+300) is the top overall seed and favorite to cut down the nets at BetMGM , followed closely by Michigan (+350), Arizona (+400) and Florida (+650).

But there is usually value to be found a little further down the odds board. Our college basketball handicappers — Corbie Craig, Matt Jacob and Matt Russell — give their favorite 2026 NCAA tournament futures bets below. [ Enter Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem now for your shot at $50K ] Best March Madness futures bets Vanderbilt to make Sweet 16 (+105) Craig : Fresh off a strong SEC tournament showing, I’m staying on the Vanderbilt train given how the bracket sets up.

The Commodores' opening matchup against McNeese should be a manageable first step, meaning the real hurdle likely comes in Round 2 against either Nebraska or Troy. Where the value shows up in this wager is that I give Troy a legitimate puncher’s chance as the 13-seed against Nebraska in the opener. If that upset lands, this +105 ticket suddenly becomes an outstanding number with Vanderbilt likely favored to reach the Sweet 16.

Even in the scenario where Nebraska advances, I still make this price worth a small wager based on the matchup dynamics and the Commodores' current form. VCU to make the Sweet 16 (11-1) Jacob: I’m a big believer in the power of momentum in March — and the VCU Rams have a ton of it right now. Going back to Dec.