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Tamin Lipsey of the Iowa State Cyclones reacts during the first half against the Washington State Cougars in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Lipsey leads our favorite March Madness prop bets for the Sweet 16.
Tamin Lipsey of the Iowa State Cyclones reacts during the first half against the Washington State Cougars in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images via AFP.

As the 2024 NCAA Tournament approaches, we’re sharing our top March Madness prop bets using the most favorable college basketball odds from our recommended betting sites.

As the 2024 NCAA Tournament progresses to the Sweet 16 and March Madness odds fluctuate with each game, we are analyzing our top prop bets for each matchup using the odds from our preferred sports betting websites.

We will be placing March Madness prop bets on every game leading up to the national championship as part of our predictions and picks for March Madness.

Our top 2024 March Madness Sweet 16 prop bets by region

East Region prop bets 

  • San Diego State (5) vs. UConn (1): Donovan Clingan Over 1.5 blocks (+125 via DraftKings)
  • Illinois (3) vs. Iowa State (2): Tamin Lipsey Over 1.5 made 3-pointers (+160 via bet365)

South Region prop bets 

West Region prop bets 

Midwest Region prop bets 

Our favorite 2024 March Madness prop bets: Sweet 16

Donovan Clingan Over 1.5 blocks (+125 via DraftKings)

UConn’s Donovan Clingan, also known as Cling Kong, is currently the favorite for the March Madness MVP title. The 7-foot-2 center has been dominating the NCAA Tournament, especially in the first two rounds where he showcased his skills with an impressive 8-block performance against Northwestern.

He is now in the Sweet 16 and will have the opportunity to improve UConn’s chances of making it to the Final Four even more by facing off against San Diego State in a rematch of last year’s national championship game. Clingan, who averages 2.4 blocks per game, is considered one of the top rim protectors in the country. That’s why we believe there is great value in these odds at DraftKings.

With no player in their rotation taller than 6-foot-9, the Aztecs rely heavily on Jaedon LeDee for their offense inside the arc. This sets up a great opportunity for Clingan to block shots down low. He has blocked at least two shots in 22 out of 31 games this season, a rate of 70.9%. At odds of +125, a $10 bet on him hitting the Over would result in a $12.50 profit.

Tamin Lipsey Over 1.5 made 3-pointers (+160 via bet365)

The Sweet 16 showdown between the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini and the No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones is a clash of contrasting styles. Illinois boasts the highest adjusted offensive efficiency ranking in the nation, per KenPom, while Iowa State ranks second in adjusted defensive efficiency.

The main attraction of this game is Illinois’ offense going up against Iowa State’s defense, but the Cyclones’ offense led by guard Tamin Lipsey could be the deciding factor. Despite averaging only 1.3 made 3-pointers per game, Lipsey has surprised everyone by hitting at least two in each of Iowa State’s first two NCAA Tournament games, making the odds from bet365 seem long.

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Lipsey has a 39.3% shooting percentage from the 3-point line and has the opportunity to exploit the Illini defense, which ranks 93rd in adjusted efficiency. Illinois struggled in Big Ten play last season, ranking second to last in allowing opponents to shoot 38.8% from beyond the arc.

The +152 odds at FanDuel suggest a 39.68% chance that Lipsey will make at least two 3-pointers. However, the +160 odds at bet365 result in a $16 profit on a $10 bet if he exceeds this number.

Dalton Knecht Over 19.5 points (-114 via FanDuel)

Throughout Rick Barnes’ time at Tennessee, the Volunteers have built a reputation for their strong defense. This season, they continue to excel in that area. However, Barnes has also added a top scorer to the lineup in Dalton Knecht, a transfer from Northern Colorado. Knecht, the 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year, is averaging an impressive 21.1 points per game. With his offensive prowess, he is expected to challenge Creighton in the upcoming Sweet 16 matchup.

Knecht stands out among players nationwide for his scoring versatility, shooting an impressive 51% from two-point range and 39.1% from three-point range as a senior. His strong mid-range game will be valuable against a Bluejays defense that has allowed the fifth-highest number of two-pointers per game this season (21.9). Making things even more challenging for Greg McDermott’s team is their defense allowing Big East opponents to shoot 34.3% from beyond the arc in conference play.

If Tennessee defeats Creighton and reaches the Elite Eight, it will likely be due to Knecht’s consistent offensive performance throughout the season. He has scored 20 points or more in 17 out of 34 games. With the odds at -114 on FanDuel, there is a 53.27% chance implied probability that he will exceed this point total.

What to know about March Madness prop bets

Our top sports betting sites have just unveiled their complete March Madness odds lineup, and we’re here to get you ready for the NCAA Tournament with all the essential information.

Be sure to revisit this page after each round for our updated list of the best prop bets for the upcoming matchups.

Types of March Madness prop bets

Prop bets for March Madness offer thrilling wagering opportunities that go beyond the usual game results. Over/Under betting is a popular type of prop bet where bettors predict if a specific statistic or event will exceed a set threshold. For March Madness, this could involve Over/Under bets on the total number of three-pointers made by a team or player, or the total rebounds collected.

Player performance betting is another popular form of March Madness prop bet, where individuals can wager on specific player achievements or performances. This may involve predicting which player will score the most points, grab the most rebounds or assists, or achieve specific milestones like a double-double or triple-double.

Moreover, March Madness prop bets can involve wagering on particular game events like the initial team to score, the first player to make a turnover, or if a game will go into overtime. These prop bets offer bettors the chance to bet on the unexpected and thrilling moments that can happen during March Madness games, enhancing the excitement of the tournament.

How do March Madness prop bet odds work?

Proposition bets for March Madness work in the same way as regular betting odds but are centered on individual events within the NCAA Tournament. These bets provide a wide range of choices beyond just who will win the game, allowing bettors to place wagers on things like player performance, specific game events, or statistical milestones. The odds are displayed in formats such as fractions, decimals, or American odds, indicating the probability of certain outcomes as determined by oddsmakers at sportsbooks.

Gamblers evaluate the likelihood of outcomes by analyzing team and player stats, comparing betting odds on different platforms to find profitable bets and make educated choices throughout the tournament.

Underscoregs set the odds to balance the action on both sides of the betting line. For example, a player point total of 17.5 might have odds of -110 for both the Over and the Under. This means there is a 52.38% implied probability on either side, with a $110 bet returning a profit of $100 on the Over or Under.

If one side of the line receives more attention from bettors, sportsbooks may adjust the odds on that side to make it less favorable (and make the other side more favorable) before considering changing the betting line.

March Madness betting odds pages

Here are our best March Madness betting sites:

(21+. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER)* Bonuses cannot be used in Ontario.

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