Skip to main content
Most Popular March Madness Bets Today: Friday's Top Spread, Moneyline & Total Picks
Pictured: Colorado State fan hoists a flag over his head while wearing a basketball mask. Photo by Logan Newell / The Coloradoan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The NCAA Tournament heads into its second day with 16 games remaining for the first round. The second round will be set as the day comes to an end, with another batch of teams headed to the one-and-done pile. Will the public get it right on Friday?

Here's a look at the most popular March Madness bets today for the spread, moneyline, and total in terms of total wagers at BetMGM:

๐Ÿ€ Most-bet March Madness games today: NCAA Tournament opening round

Our NEW college basketball player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds for any March Madness market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Matchup (seed)FavoriteTotal
Memphis (5) vs. Colorado State (12)Colorado State (-1.5)O/U 142.5
Mississippi State (8) vs. Baylor (9)Mississippi State (-1.5)O/U 145.5
Maryland (4) vs. Grand Canyon (13)Maryland (-10.5)O/U 149.5
Ole Miss (6) vs. North Carolina (11)North Carolina (-2.5)O/U 155.5
Iowa State (3) vs. Lipscomb (14)Iowa State (-14.5)O/U 142.5

๐Ÿ”ฅ Most popular March Madness bets against the spread today

Here are the five most popular bets against the spread today in terms of total wagers, along with the total percentage of tickets and handle on that side:

WagerOpening oddsPercent of betsPercent of handle
North Carolina (-2.5) vs. Ole Miss-1.569%73%
Grand Canyon (+10.5) vs. Maryland+11.561%60%
Baylor (+1.5) vs. Mississippi State-1.560%51%
Memphis (+1.5) vs. Colorado State+3.555%57%
Lipscomb (+14.5) vs. Iowa State+13.553%46%

๐Ÿ’ต Most popular ATS bet today: North Carolina (-2.5) vs. Ole Miss

๐Ÿ’ฐ Most popular March Madness moneyline bets today

Here are the five most popular moneyline bets today in terms of total wagers, along with the total percentage of tickets and handle on that side:

WagerOpening oddsPercent of betsPercent of handle
Baylor (+105) vs. Mississippi State-11585%75%
Memphis (+100) vs. Colorado State+13572%68%
Liberty (+240) vs. Oregon+22093%91%
Grand Canyon (+400) vs. Maryland+40093%83%
Akon (+750) vs. Arizona+75095%96%

๐Ÿ’ต Most popular ML bet today: Baylor (+105) vs. Mississippi State

๐Ÿ“ˆ Most popular March Madness Over bets today

Here are the three most popular Over bets today in terms of total wagers, along with the total percentage of tickets and handle on that side:

WagerOpening oddsPercent of betsPercent of handle
Mississippi State vs. Baylor (Over 145.5)144.563%58%
Arizona vs. Akron (Over 167.5)167.570%84%
Duke vs. Mount St. Mary's (Over 140.5)142.563%57%

๐Ÿ’ต Most popular Over bet today: Mississippi State vs. Baylor Over 145.5

๐Ÿ“‰ Most popular March Madness Under bets today

Here are the three most popular Under bets today in terms of total wagers, along with the total percentage of tickets and handle on that side:

WagerOpening oddsPercent of betsPercent of handle
Alabama vs. Robert Morris (Under 166.5)166.552%38%
Michigan State vs. Bryant (Under 152.5)150.571%70%
Kentucky vs. Troy (Under 151.5)152.558%56%

๐Ÿ’ต Most popular Under bet today: Alabama vs. Robert Morris Under 166.5

๐Ÿค” Who are sharp bettors targeting today in the NCAA Tournament?

While it can be hard to identify exactly which bets are drawing sharp action, here's a look at the bets with the lopsided betting handle on wagers against the spread and total entering today's games:

  • Arizona vs. Akron Over 167.5 (84%)
  • Akron +14.5 vs. Arizona (79%)
  • Alabama -22.5 vs. Robert Morris (76%)
  • Florida -28.5 vs. Norfolk State (76%)
  • North Carolina -2.5 vs. Ole Miss (73%)

๐Ÿ‘‰ Want more March Madness action? Check out the rest of our March Madness first-round expert picks as part of our March Madness predictions.    

๐Ÿ€ Best March Madness odds, predictions & expert picks today

๐Ÿ”ฎ March Madness predictions for every game today

๐Ÿ’ฐ March Madness betting odds pages

๐Ÿ‘‘ Best March Madness betting sites

Ready to place your March Madness bets? Check out the best March Madness betting promos from the best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review.

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission