North Carolina

2025 March Madness odds: Duke, North Carolina open as early favorites

Published

2 years ago

April 9, 2024

2025 March Madness odds: Duke, North Carolina open as early favorites

Congratulations to the UConn Huskies on winning the 2024 NCAA men’s March Madness tournament by defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 75 to 60.

Monday night’s win meant that UConn was the last team standing in back-to-back seasons.

But as every bettor knows, it’s never too early to look at the odds for next season.

Immediately following the UConn-Purdue matchup, Duke and North Carolina opened atop the betting board as the favorites to win it all next year.

The Blue Devils’ odds opened at +1000, and the Tar Heels’ odds sit at second at +1400.

However, it’s worth noting that two other teams are tied with UNC at +1400 — the Kansas Jayhawks and then the reigning champion Huskies.

Will UConn make history and become only the second team ever to three-peat in the tournament?

Let’s take a full look at the early NCAA tournament betting board at DraftKings Sportsbook.

NCAA Men’s Tournament Winner 2025 odds:*

Duke: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
North Carolina: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Kansas: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
UConn: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Houston: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Arizona: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Alabama: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Baylor: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Kentucky: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Iowa State: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Gonzaga: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Auburn: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Purdue: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Arkansas: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Michigan State: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Illinois: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Texas: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Tennessee: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Miami Fl: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Marquette: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Creighton: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Saint Marys: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Saint Johns: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Ohio State: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Florida: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
BYU: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
UCLA: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Michigan: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Maryland: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Wisconsin: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Villanova: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
San Diego State: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
USC: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Texas Tech: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Missouri: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Mississipi State: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Memphis: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Texas A&M: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Oregon: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
LSU: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)

*odds as of 4/8/2024

John Fanta’s way-too-early top 25 for the 2024-25 season

First on the oddsboard is Duke at +1000. The Blue Devils finished the year with a 27-9 record and exited the postseaon after getting bounced 76-64 by NC State in the Elite Eight.

FOX Sports college basketball broadcaster and reporter John Fanta ranked Duke No. 2 in his way-too-early top 25 rankings for next season. And according to him, fans and bettors need to have Duke-committ Cooper Flagg on their radars.

“The 17-year-old phenom is a fascinating prospect and in contention to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft due to his versatility, defensive upside and wingspan,” Fanta wrote.

When it comes to the second team on the betting board, Fanta has the Heels 11th in his way-too-early rankings.

North Carolina’s season ended when Powder Blue faced the Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16. In that matchup, UNC fell 89-87 to Alabama.

The back-to-back champs, however, Fanta ranks at No. 1 on this list.

“We had the Huskies at No. 4 in our way-too-early top 25 last April after Dan Hurley said goodbye to Adama Sanogo, Andre Jackson and Jordan Hawkins. That didn’t seem to matter, which speaks to the blue blood Hurley has restored in Storrs.

“I’m not getting fooled again. Connecticut is No. 1 until further notice.”

Who are you backing to win next year’s NCAA men’s title? Follow FOX Sports for the latest!

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North Carolina

Three Underrated UNC Football Seniors To Watch in 2026

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Three Underrated UNC Football Seniors To Watch in 2026

The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.

As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.

Ade Willie, Cornerback

Michigan State’s Ade Willie celebrates after breaking up a Youngstown State pass during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.

Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.

Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson (94) sacks Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.

North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.

Coleman Bryson, Safety

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Coleman Bryson (16) and linebacker Mikai Gbayor (4) react in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.

It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.

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North Carolina

Memorial service held for former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett

Published

19 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Memorial service held for former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett

Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.

Web Editor : Sydney Ross

Posted 2026-04-18T19:07:35-0400 – Updated 2026-04-18T19:07:35-0400

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North Carolina

No. 11 Virginia vs. No. 3 North Carolina Live Updates | NCAA Men’s Lacrosse

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

No. 11 Virginia vs. No. 3 North Carolina Live Updates | NCAA Men’s Lacrosse

Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter

Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19

After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.

Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00

Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.

Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes

UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.

The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.

Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.

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