The recent history of March Madness has shown that winning the tournament is almost a must to get named Most Outstanding Player. In the past(before 2000), it was routine to see the best player in the tournament win the award even if his team lost. That seldom happens anymore, so to bet on the MOP winner it needs to be a player on a team that you think is most likely to win.
Zach Edey is the favorite to win the MOP award and it is hard to see anybody but UCONN winning this tournament. Of course Edey is a great player and a great story and has seemed to be kind of the golden child of College Basketball the last few years.
March Madness MOP favorites
Zach Edey (+220 via DraftKings)
Edey closed the regular season as a heavy favorite to win the Wooden Award, and he opened the NCAA Tournament with a statement: 30 points and 21 rebounds in Purdue’s runaway win over Grambling State to exorcise some first-round demons. He added to his resume in the second round, too, with 23 points and 14 rebounds in a win over a good Utah State team. Check out our top
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He hasn’t slowed down against better competition, either. Edey scored 27 points and 14 rebounds in an 80-68 Sweet 16 win over Gonzaga and then had his best game of the tournament on the biggest stage, scoring 40 points and 16 rebounds in an Elite Eight victory against Tennessee.
The 7-foot-4 senior big man from Toronto leads all of college basketball with 25.0 points per game, adding 12.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 2.0 assists per game. His play is a key reason why the Boilermakers remain among a favorite to at least advance to the Final game.
With Edey averaging 30.0 points and 16.2 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament, the only thing stopping him from winning this award is UConn.
Tip: Edey +220 to win MOP
- Edey is the best player in the country
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Scored 40 vs Tennessee
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Edey leads an experienced team
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Donovan Clingan (+225 via DraftKings)
UConn’s dominance through four rounds of NCAA Tournament play makes them clear favorites to win the March Madness MVP award, led by Donovan Clingan, who has lived up to his nickname of Cling Kong this March.
Clingan began as a favorite for this award after scoring 19 points in the opening round, but his chances quickly diminished after blocking eight shots and collecting 14 rebounds against Northwestern. Edey was more impressive in the tournament before Clingan made an impressive comeback performance against Illinois with 22 points, ten rebounds, and five blocks in the Elite Eight game.
Clingan has been instrumental to UConn’s four successful NCAA Tournament games thus far, averaging 15.7 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He anchors an effective defense that has yet to allow more than 58 points since March Madness started. As one of their leading contenders for national supremacy, UConn has made him a favorite candidate for MVP honors from day one of March Madness.
Tip: Clingan +225 to sin MOP
- UCONN is the best team
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Clingan great on defense
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Clingan is experienced
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Tristen Newton (+550 via DraftKings)
Tristen Newton led UConn in scoring this season and is among the favorites to win March Madness MVP. While Newton temporarily passed Edey and Clingan for MVP odds at some of our sports betting apps, his subpar performance in the Elite Eight may have significantly diminished them.
Newton is UConn’s sole All-American and on one of the nation’s best teams; therefore two big performances in the Final Four or championship game could earn him this accolade. Newton averages 13.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game during NCAA Tournament play. The Grueling Truth was 3-1 in Elite Eight
March Madness predictions!
Tip: Newton +550 to win MOP
- UCONN is the best team
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Newton has great odds
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Newton is UCONNs leading scorer
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Cam Spencer (+900 via DraftKings)
UConn players dominate this market, and it can be difficult to choose one. Clingan seems like an obvious favorite, and Newton earned All-America honours; however, Cam Spencer has been one of the most impactful additions since switching from Rutgers.
During UConn’s Sweet 16 rematch of the 2023 NCAA Tournament final, Spencer made his mark when they struggled to find consistent offense in the first half against San Diego State. Spencer helped keep them afloat before they eventually pulled away for a 30-point win.
Spencer has averaged 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals through four rounds.
Tip: Spencer +900 to win MOP
- UCONN is the best team
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Spencer is consistent
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Spencer can pick the Huskies up
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March Madness MVP odds: Long shot
D.J. Burns Jr. (+3000 via DraftKings)
NC State has become the darling of this year’s NCAA Tournament as an 11th seed. The Wolfpack stunned fans by outwitting no. 2 seed Marquette in the Sweet 16 and no. 4 seed Duke in the Elite Eight to reach its third straight Final Four appearance. Due to their remarkable run through this year’s competition, the Wolfpack have captured everyone’s attention nationwide.
Kevin Keatt’s program has been led by big man DJ Burns Jr., whose size and soft feet have attracted the attention of NFL scouts. On Friday against the Duke Blue Devils, he scored 29 points to cap an outstanding string of games dating back to when the Wolfpack won five in five days for an ACC Tournament championship win.
No one expectes NC State to beat Purdue and UConn in this year’s Final Four, but history shows us that you never know, that’s why the call it March Madness!Burns Jr. averaged 18.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting an incredible 67% from the floor during March Madness play.
Tip: Burns +3000 to win MOP
- Burnd has been on fire
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Burns loves the spotlight
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NC State is Cinderella
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Analysis of March Madness MVP Betting Strategies
The March Madness MVP odds opened with Edey as the +900 favorite, representing a 10% implied win probability. Since then, however, Edey and Clingan have jostled for position on the oddsboard until Edey was finally priced in at +220, or 31.25% implied win probability.
Six players initially opened with odds under +2000; now, with just four remaining, it has effectively come down to Edey versus UConn for this award.
March Madness MVP HistoryIt may appear that March Madness MVPs come only from teams that win the championship; this would essentially be true.
Once upon a time, it was far more commonplace for tournament committees to honor the best player regardless of whether his team won or lost. That practice has long since gone away. Check out our
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March Madness (FAQs/Tipps)?
Who Is the March Madness MVP Favorite?
Purdue’s Zach Edey and UConn’s Donovan Clingan are considered favorites by March Madness MVP odds heading into the Final Four. Edey’s odds stand at +200, representing an implied probability of 33.33%; Clingan has odds as low as +180 indicating an implied probability of 35.71%.
How is the March Madness MVP chosen?
Media members choose the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player following completion of its championship game.
How can I bet on the March Madness MVP?
Sports betting websites typically provide menus dedicated to March Madness markets; simply access this market from your sportsbook of choice, search for “March Madness MVP” (or “Most Outstanding Player”) and choose your player before setting your stake and sending through!
Who was last year’s March Madness MVP?
Adama Sanogo won the 2023 March Madness MVP at odds of +200 heading into the Final Four.
