March Madness 2026 MOP Odds: Essential Info for Bettors
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Being the last team standing in March Madness is an accomplishment in and of itself, but the star who gets crowned the Most Outstanding Player will have stood out among many "shining moments."
Although March Madness MVP odds won't hit the board until the tournament is underway, we have you covered leading up to the Round of 64.
March Madness 2026 MVP odds
The March Madness MVP market typically opens once the first round tips off.
Check back here as bracket season approaches for updated odds and analysis.
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Who won March Madness MVP last year?
Once Cooper Flagg and Duke were eliminated, there was no looking back for Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr.
Clayton put the Gators on his back during the tourney, finishing with 30+ points in both the Elite Eight and Final Four.
He also dished out seven assists in Florida’s thrilling 65-63 win over Houston in the national championship game, securing the program’s first title since 2007.
How is the March Madness MVP decided?
The Associated Press awards the March Madness MVP honor after the NCAA Tournament.
Most often, the Most Outstanding Player comes from the NCAA championship team. Twelve players have been named MVP without being on championship teams.
History of the March Madness MVP
Not all Final Four MVPs go on to the pros, but they live on forever in NCAA Tournament glory — especially if you bet on their odds to win March Madness MVP.
Tournament MVPs almost always come from the winning team. The last player to be named MVP whose team did not win was Hakeem Olajuwon for the Houston Cougars in 1983.
Most betting sites have offered odds on the tournament MVP for a few years now, but sportsbooks based in Nevada have only been allowed to bet on March Madness props since 2016.
Odds for March Madness MVP are listed in American format. American odds can be converted to decimal or fractional using our odds converter.
| Year | MVP | School |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walter Clayton Jr. | Florida |
| 2024 | Tristen Newton | UConn |
| 2023 | Adama Sanogo | UConn |
| 2022 | Ochai Agbaji | Kansas |
| 2021 | Jared Butler | Baylor |
| 2020 | No tournament | NA |
| 2019 | Kyle Guy | Virginia |
| 2018 | Donte DiVincenzo | Villanova |
| 2017 | Joel Berry | North Carolina |
| 2016 | Ryan Arcidiacono | Villanova |
| 2015 | Tyus Jones | Duke |
| 2014 | Shabazz Napier | UConn |
| 2013 | Luke Hancock | Louisville |
| 2012 | Anthony Davis | Kentucky |
| 2011 | Kemba Walker | UConn |
| 2010 | Kyle Singler | Duke |
| 2009 | Wayne Ellington | North Carolina |
| 2008 | Mario Chalmers | Kansas |
| 2007 | Corey Brewer | Florida |
| 2006 | Joakim Noah | Florida |
| 2005 | Sean May | North Carolina |
| 2004 | Emeka Okafor | UConn |
| 2003 | Carmelo Anthony | Syracuse |
| 2002 | Juan Dixon | Maryland |
| 2001 | Shane Battier | Duke |
| 2000 | Mateen Cleaves | Michigan St |
March Madness MVP trends
- March Madness MVP odds are usually topped by multiple players from the top-seeded teams in the NCAA Tournament.
- Final Four MVP odds are released after Selection Sunday and will adjust throughout the tournament as teams advance and get eliminated.
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Playoff seeding changes won't be re-proposed until season expands
Last year, the league office cajoled the Lions into proposing a new way of seeding the playoffs, with division champions no longer guaranteed a home game. It was tabled from March to May before being withdrawn.
Which means there wasn't nearly enough support for it.
The seeding concept has yet to be mentioned as the 2026 offseason rules cycle unfolds. And it won't be, for now.
When the regular season inevitably expands from 17 to 18 games, it will be back on the table, we're told. Depending on whether 345 Park Avenue can twist enough arms into a thumb's up, it may be adopted.
The Commissioner wants the change in order to make late-season games more compelling. Basic fairness can't be ignored, however, when it comes to scheduling. The current rotational approach aimed at ensuring all teams play all other teams at least every four years makes it easier for one division to produce multiple stellar records, with eight games against the four teams of two different divisions. Often, the rotation lines up just right for the teams of one division, allowing them to play nearly half of their schedules against all teams from two of the weakest divisions.
If the division champion will be competing with second- (and third-) place teams from another division for one of the top four seeds, the schedule will need to have more conference games and fewer interconference contests. At some point, the annual home-and-home approach within each division may need to be revisited.
These are details that will take a back seat to the broader goal of having the playoff tree better reflect total wins and losses. Which, while dormant, isn't dead.
Again, it'll return when the league moves to 18 games. That could happen, in theory, as soon as 2027.
Opinion: Bournemouth’s Iraola should be top Crystal Palace target
Crystal Palace Urged to Target Iraola Over Frank
Crystal Palace’s season has drifted into an uneasy space. According to Give Me Sport, voices around Selhurst Park believe the club must think boldly this summer and pursue Andoni Iraola, rather than revisit familiar ground with Thomas Frank.
The immediate backdrop is tension. Palace recorded only their second win of 2026, secured by a late Evann Guessand strike, yet relief did little to soften the mood. Selhurst Park felt restless, even toxic, as supporters vented frustration at performances that have lacked clarity and momentum.
Iraola Vision for Palace
Journalist Alan Nixon has reported that Steve Parish is keen on Iraola, while heavy links persist around Frank. The debate feels symbolic. Iraola represents progressive thinking. Frank carries Premier League experience and familiarity.
Photo IMAGO
Described as “the best young coach in the world” by Sam Tighe, Iraola has built Bournemouth into a competitive Premier League side, despite regular player sales. There is coherence to his work, a trust in development and tactical bravery that resonates with Palace’s own model.
Bournemouth under Iraola have shown structure and adaptability. They look coached. For Palace, who oscillate between promise and passivity, that may be the missing piece.
Glasner Under Pressure
Oliver Glasner’s tenure appears to be reaching a delicate stage. When supporters turn, noise grows quickly. The Austrian’s recent plea for fans to “stay humble” did not land well. Against Wolves, chants of “staying humble” echoed back at him, accompanied by sarcastic cheers for substitutions and a banner that underscored discontent.
Photo IMAGO
It was a revealing moment. Even in victory, unity felt fractured.
A managerial change may not be imminent, but the direction of travel is clear. Palace are not devoid of talent. They require coherence and conviction. Iraola offers both. Frank would bring credibility, yet some fear it signals caution over ambition.
Photo IMAGO
For Parish, the decision will shape Palace’s next chapter. Stability matters, but so does imagination. If Iraola becomes attainable, the argument is that Palace must act decisively.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
The frustration at Selhurst Park has not emerged overnight. Performances have been inconsistent, identity blurred. Glasner’s comments about fans needing to “stay humble” felt misjudged, especially when results have offered limited reassurance.
Iraola is an enticing prospect. Bournemouth have played with purpose and clarity under his leadership. For Palace fans, that is attractive. The club prides itself on youth development and dynamic football. Iraola aligns with that ethos.
Thomas Frank would not be dismissed lightly. He understands the Premier League landscape and has managed through adversity. Yet some supporters fear a safer appointment may not deliver transformation.
What Palace crave is belief. A manager who can harness the energy of Selhurst Park rather than stand at odds with it. If Iraola truly is available, many fans would urge Parish to be bold. Progress requires courage, not comfort.
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Journalist: Liverpool ‘in talks’ to end ongoing transfer saga
Positive Signs Emerge in Liverpool Contract Talks with Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest kept their Premier League ambitions alive, but off the pitch the focus is increasingly shifting towards the future of key players. On Media Matters for Anfield Index, David Lynch offered encouraging insight into the club’s contract talks with Ibrahima Konate, whose current deal is set to expire in June.
At a time when stability is crucial, Lynch’s update suggested there is genuine cause for optimism.
Talks Ongoing Between Liverpool and Konate Camp
Lynch was clear that discussions are active and not one sided speculation. “Liverpool are in talks as I understand it and that is corroborated on both sides of the deal by the way. That’s Liverpool and the player’s camp.”
That line carries weight. In a season filled with uncertainty around performances and recruitment, confirmation that dialogue is open and constructive provides reassurance. Lynch stressed that “we know that it’s not over yet,” but the tone was notably positive.
There is no sense of a stalled situation or imminent exit. In fact, Lynch pointed to the absence of serious external noise as another encouraging indicator.
No Major Transfer Links Circulating
One of the strongest signals, according to Lynch, is what is not being reported.
“The upside is we’re not hearing any big links to anyone yet in terms of moves for him,” he explained. In the modern Premier League landscape, silence can often be as meaningful as headlines.
He went further when discussing speculation about interest from abroad. “For me, it’s just not really a topic at the moment,” Lynch said, dismissing the idea of imminent approaches. “I haven’t heard anything just yet about actual interest in him or that he’s going to go anywhere.”
With his contract expiring in June, the absence of aggressive suitors or advanced talks elsewhere suggests Liverpool retain control of the situation.
Photo: IMAGO
Konate’s Importance to Liverpool
Beyond the contractual mechanics, Lynch emphasised Konate’s footballing value. “He’s just an absolutely massive player, isn’t he?” he said, underlining the scale of the defender’s importance.
Despite acknowledging that Konate has endured “a really difficult season,” Lynch contextualised that assessment. “We can all see why that’s been the case and that doesn’t erase what he’s been over the last kind of four years for Liverpool, which is absolutely brilliant.”
That broader view matters. Form fluctuates, particularly in a side that has struggled for consistency. But pedigree and peak level remain intact.
Lynch also highlighted the practical implications of losing Konate. “If there’s going to be turnover again in the squad this summer, that’s not going to be helpful. We don’t want another transition season coming up.”
In short, continuity at centre half strengthens Liverpool’s platform.
Case for a Breakthrough Before June
Lynch stopped short of declaring a deal imminent, but his desire for clarity was evident. “I would love to hear some positive breakthrough news about that,” he admitted.
The tone, however, remained hopeful rather than anxious. There is active dialogue, no confirmed external push, and recognition on both sides of Konate’s value.
With Liverpool locked in a tight Premier League battle for Champions League qualification, securing Konate’s future would represent more than administrative housekeeping. It would signal intent.
As Lynch framed it, maintaining stability in key positions is essential. Konate’s renewal would reduce uncertainty, preserve defensive quality and allow recruitment focus to shift elsewhere.
For now, the message is measured but optimistic. Talks are ongoing, interest from elsewhere appears limited, and both Liverpool and Konate’s representatives are engaged. In a season defined by narrow margins, that may be one of the most encouraging developments yet.