The second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament is set to tip off and with it comes a fresh look at how teams are being viewed by oddsmakers. As of March 22, DraftKings Sportsbook has released spreads, moneylines, and over/under totals for all 16 games, offering a quantitative snapshot of expectations as the field narrows. While upsets are always a possibility – and a hallmark of March Madness – these numbers provide a clear indication of which teams are favored to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Understanding these odds isn’t just for those looking to place a wager; it offers a fascinating lens through which to view the relative strengths and perceived paths of these elite college basketball programs.
The biggest spreads unsurprisingly favor the No. 1 seeds. UConn, for example, is a massive 36.5-point favorite against Syracuse, reflecting their dominant regular season and strong showing in the first round. South Carolina, another top seed, is laying 22.5 points against USC. These substantial margins highlight the significant gap in perceived talent and experience between the top teams and their opponents. But, even with these large spreads, tournament history teaches us that no game is truly a foregone conclusion. The inherent unpredictability of single-elimination play means that even double-digit underdogs have a chance to shock the world.
Analyzing the Biggest Spreads and Potential Upsets
Looking beyond the top seeds, several other games present intriguing betting opportunities – and potential upset alerts. Texas, a No. 1 seed, is a commanding 26.5-point favorite against Oregon. While Texas had a strong showing in the Big 12, Oregon is a capable team that reached the second round by defeating Gonzaga. UCLA, also a No. 1 seed, is a 26.5-point favorite over Oklahoma State. These large spreads suggest a significant confidence in the top seeds, but Oregon and Oklahoma State will undoubtedly be looking to prove the oddsmakers wrong.
On the other end of the spectrum, some matchups are expected to be much closer. North Carolina is a slight 2.5-point favorite over Maryland, a game that could easily go either way. West Virginia is favored by just 3.5 points against Kentucky, suggesting a competitive contest. These tighter spreads indicate a more even matchup and a higher likelihood of a nail-biting finish. These games are where savvy bettors and fans alike will be closely watching for key matchups and strategic adjustments.
Key Matchups and Lines to Watch
Here’s a breakdown of the odds for each game, as of March 22, according to DraftKings Sportsbook:
- No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 1 Texas: Spread: Texas -26.5, Moneyline: Texas -100000, Oregon +5000, O/U: 136.5
- No. 7 NC State vs. No. 2 Michigan: Spread: Michigan -13.5, Moneyline: Michigan -1050, NC State +675, O/U: 143.5
- No. 7 Texas Tech vs. No. 2 LSU: Spread: LSU -24.5, Moneyline: LSU -10000, TTU +3000, O/U: 145.5
- No. 6 Baylor vs. No. 3 Duke: Spread: Duke -12.5, Moneyline: Duke -1000, Baylor +650, O/U: 126.5
- No. 6 Washington vs. No. 3 TCU: Spread: TCU -9.5, Moneyline: TCU -520, UW +390, O/U: 125.5
- No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Oklahoma: Spread: Oklahoma -7.5, Moneyline: Oklahoma -325, MSU +260, O/U: 158.5
- No. 5 Maryland vs. No. 4 UNC: Spread: UNC -2.5, Moneyline: UNC -148, Maryland +124, O/U: 136.5
- No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 4 Minnesota: Spread: Minnesota -4.5, Moneyline: Minnesota -198, Ole Miss +164, O/U: 126.5
- No. 9 Syracuse vs. No. 1 UConn: Spread: UConn -36.5, Moneyline: TBD, O/U: 139.5
- No. 9 USC vs. No. 1 South Carolina: Spread: South Carolina -22.5, Moneyline: South Carolina -10000, USC +3000, O/U: 131.5
- No. 8 Oklahoma State vs. No. 1 UCLA: Spread: UCLA -26.5, Moneyline: UCLA -50000, OK State +4000, O/U: 138.5
- No. 10 Virginia vs. No. 2 Iowa: Spread: Iowa -14.5, Moneyline: Iowa -1450, UVA +850, O/U: 135.5
- No. 7 Illinois vs. No. 2 Vanderbilt: Spread: Vandy -13.5, Moneyline: Vandy -1000, Illinois +650, O/U: 153.5
- No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 Ohio State: Spread: OSU -6.5, Moneyline: OSU -270, ND +220, O/U: 148.5
- No. 6 Alabama vs. No. 3 Louisville: Spread: Louisville -8.5, Moneyline: Louisville -410, Alabama +320, O/U: 131.5
- No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 4 West Virginia: Spread: WVU -3.5, Moneyline: WVU -180, UK +150, O/U: 127.5
Understanding the Moneylines and Over/Under
For those less familiar with sports betting, the “moneyline” represents a straight-up bet on who will win the game. A negative number indicates the favorite, and the amount represents how much you would need to bet to win $100. A positive number indicates the underdog, and the amount represents how much you would win on a $100 bet. The “over/under” (O/U) represents the total combined score of both teams. Bettors can wager on whether the actual total score will be higher or lower than the listed number.
These numbers, while informative, are not static. They will shift as the tournament progresses, influenced by game results, injuries, and public betting patterns. The official NCAA bracket will be updated continuously as games are played, providing a central location for tracking the tournament’s progress.
The next round of games will undoubtedly bring more drama and excitement. As teams battle for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen, the odds will continue to evolve, offering a dynamic reflection of the ever-changing landscape of the women’s NCAA Tournament. Keep an eye on official NCAA channels for updates and schedules, and enjoy the ride.
What matchups are you most looking forward to? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow basketball fans!
