The Duke Blue Devils are officially BetMGM’s favorite to win the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball Tournament.
Duke () is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. The Blue Devils enter the week with 17 Quad 1 wins, which is the most in Division I.
Michigan has 17, and Arizona has 16. No one else currently has more than 12.
Duke became the betting favorite in late February, shortly after defeating Michigan in a neutral-site game in Washington, D.C. The Blue Devils have mostly maintained that status since and have shortened from +325 to +300 as the tournament begins.
At BetMGM, Duke accounts for 10% of tickets and 10% of handle in the college basketball national championship odds market – more than every team except Michigan. The Wolverines still lead both categories after taking a lot of action in the early part of the season.
Despite the heavy action, the top teams are not necessarily bad outcomes for the sportsbook because of how short they’ve been traded for much of the year.
“Duke and Arizona have been popular with bettors but are the best outcomes of the title contenders for the sportsbook,” said BetMGM senior trader Michael Ranftle.
Duke will be a favorite pick in many bracket pools this year, and the Blue Devils will probably continue to take heavy action in the college basketball betting space as well. But one thing to keep an eye on for both bettors and bracketeers will be Duke’s team health.
With Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba both dealing with injuries, Duke will be much more vulnerable in this tournament than most analysts projected throughout the year.
That said, Duke coach Jon Scheyer has now won at least 27 games in four straight years and reached the Elite Eight or further in two of the last four. The performance floor for Duke is quite high, even with the injuries. Doubt the Blue Devils this month at your own peril.
College basketball futures are always available at BetMGM!
From the offseason through the postseason, you can view markets for national champion, conference champions, awards, and more. It’s a unique way to maintain your excitement throughout the year.
Visit the sportsbook today for all available online sports betting opportunities!
If you don’t have an account, register today with BetMGM’s welcome offer. Once you have an account, check for daily sports betting promos.
The content provided in this blog is intended for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are the authors and reflect their individual perspectives on sports, betting, and related topics. This content should not be considered professional betting advice or the official views of BetMGM LLC. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, seek help from a licensed health professional. This blog is not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from betting activities.
