LAS VEGAS — Caitlin Clark has made a significant impact on women’s basketball, with her performance leading Iowa to consecutive national-championship games drawing attention from both fans and bettors who typically might not focus on the sport. Even though Clark now plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, her influence in women’s college basketball is still being felt.
BetMGM Sportsbook has reported a 35% increase in the amount of money wagered on women’s basketball this season, alongside a noteworthy rise of 39% among female bettors, and an overall increase of 32% in customers across all genders. Since the 2022-23 season, marking Clark’s rise to fame, there has been a massive 587% increase in the money bet on women’s college basketball.
Hannah Luther, a sports trader at BetMGM, credits this surge in betting interest to Clark’s prominence and the sport’s growing coverage. “We’ve seen growth by offering more market options and games than ever,” Luther explained. “The wider visibility provided through television and media, along with major endorsement deals for players, has also contributed to the sustained interest.”
With the NCAA Tournament now underway, Luther anticipates the betting enthusiasm to persist, especially with prop bets centered around star players such as Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkings gaining traction.
In men’s basketball, Florida, a No. 1 seed, is seen as a slight favorite to win the national championship at +350 odds, closely followed by Duke at +360. Other top seeds like Auburn and Houston are not far behind, with odds of +400 and +600, respectively.
CBS SportsLine’s handicapper Bruce Marshall advocates for the Gators, highlighting their recent success in the Southeastern Conference Tournament as a sign of potential. “This team has been performing at a high level for months. They remind me of last year’s UConn’s remarkable run,” Marshall commented.
A championship win for Florida would pose financial challenges for BetMGM Sportsbook, as they initially had 40-to-1 odds for Florida, with one bettor placing a $100,000 wager at +900.
Meanwhile, BetMGM could face other challenges should Duke or No. 2 seed Michigan State secure the title. Duke star Cooper Flagg’s return following an ankle injury is highly anticipated for the NCAA Tournament. “Flagg’s health could heavily influence betting action, and we expect significant interest if he plays,” Seamus Magee, BetMGM’s trading manager noted. The sportsbook expects this year’s tournament to be the most bet on in its history, with an expanded array of markets.
Despite this anticipation, Bruce Marshall expressed skepticism about Duke’s chances. “The ACC didn’t have a strong year, and while Duke’s blowout over Illinois was impressive, I doubt their championship prospects,” Marshall remarked.
Marshall identified several longshot teams worth considering in the first round — notably double-digit seeds such as UC San Diego, Akron, High Point, Grand Canyon, and Colorado State. In particular, Colorado State is favored by 2 1/2 points over Memphis despite being a lower seed, and UC San Diego is only slightly disadvantaged at 2 1/2-point underdogs against Michigan.
Lastly, in women’s basketball, defending champions and top-seeded South Carolina are favored to repeat their success with +270 odds. They are followed closely by UConn, a No. 2 seed, with +275 odds. UCLA, Southern California, Texas, and Notre Dame also pose competitive threats, all with odds of at least +500.
