How the odds are shifting in the NCAA Tournament and NFL free agency

It’s a mad, mad, mad March and the NCAA Tournament hasn’t even tipped off yet. Quarterbacks staying and going have sent teams’ Super Bowl dreams rising and falling.

Major League Baseball ended a 99-day lockout and the Phillies’ NL East rival New York Mets are spending like they never heard of a luxury tax. Oh, and Tom Brady ended his retirement/short winter’s nap to send Buccaneers futures rocketing up the board.

There are various ways to wager on the Wildcats outside of their opening-round matchup in which they are favored by 17 points against Delaware.

» READ MORE: The Inquirer's Bracket Jawn: Time to make your picks.

If you think Jay Wright’s Wildcats have a title run in them, look for the best price because it varies. To win the national championship, Nova’s odds are as low as +1400 at DraftKings and as high as +2000 at FanDuel.

Final Four markets price Villanova at +550 at FanDuel and +400 at BetMGM. Most books have the Wildcats at +125 to make the Elite Eight.

» READ MORE: Jameer Nelson Jr. has made a name for himself at Delaware | Mike Jensen

If you are a ‘Nova hater or graduate from another Big 5 school, you can fade Villanova at BetRivers. You can bet against them to reach the Elite Eight (No -167) and the Sweet 16 (No +160).

Since the brackets were announced, here’s where bettors are laying their dollars to win the national championship based on percentage of total handle.

BetMGM: Gonzaga 12.9%, Arizona 10.1%, and Duke 9.8%

FanDuel: Kansas 7%, Arizona 3%, and Tennessee 3%

» READ MORE: Villanova’s Brandon Slater opened all sorts of eyes at the Big East Tournament

The Packers opened at 15/1 to win the 2023 Super Bowl. Once Aaron Rodgers decided to stay in Green Bay, the Packers dropped to 7/1 or 8/1.

A week ago, the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl odds were +4400. Then they traded for Russell Wilson and are now +1200. Wilson is currently the most popular choice at BetMGM to win MVP and his odds were slashed from +3000 to +1200 after the trade.

Former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz got traded to the Washington Commanders and their odds, like his stubborn nature, did not change.

When charges were dropped against Deshaun Watson, some sportsbooks (not in New Jersey or Pennsylvania) put up odds for his next team. Watson is +800 to land with the Eagles at MaximBet.

Then there is Tom Brady. Remember when I told you a month ago Brady was 45/1 at Caesars to win NFL MVP? Brady’s back and his MVP odds are now 9/1.

About as shocking as Brady returning is how much it has lowered the Buccaneers’ odds. Super Bowl odds moved from +2500 to +1100 and NFC championship odds shifted from +850 to +375.

It’s estimated that employers lose $13.3 billion in productivity due to March Madness and 45 million Americans plan to bet on the NCAA Tournament. I’ll parlay an “over” for both of those numbers.

» READ MORE: NCAA men's tournament on TV

My plan for the first day of the NCAA Tournament is to watch games at the Caesars Sportsbook at Wild Wild West. It’s the biggest sports betting space in Atlantic City with huge TVs and those comfortable chairs you just melt into. If you’re going with a group, you can reserve Fan Caves that also come with an Xbox.

Brandon Walsh, Caesars Sportsbook manager at Wild Wild West, (not my teen crush Beverly Hills 90210 Brandon Walsh) said:

“It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Gonzaga has commanded the national championship action this season. The Bulldogs hold the lead for total handle bet with Caesars Sportsbook, with 17% of the money on them to win it all. In terms of the top number of tickets placed on a championship winner, Gonzaga, Kentucky, and Duke are at the top with around 8% of tickets each.”

Katie Kohler is the Managing Editor at Play Pennsylvania where she writes about sports betting and casinos. Follow her on Twitter at @kkohler1129