The 2025 March Madness bracket release has triggered significant betting activity, with notable shifts in both first-round and championship odds. Here's what the public is betting on according to ESPN Bet's latest data.

Public's Top Moneyline Pick: Texas A&M (-340) vs Yale is drawing the most action, despite Yale's impressive upset over Auburn as a #13 seed last year. Yale returns key players averaging strong numbers:

• John Poulakidas: 19.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 APG
• Bez Mbeng: 13.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.6 APG
• Nick Townsend: 15.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.6 APG

Notable: Texas A&M has lost five of their last seven games, making this public confidence potentially questionable.

Popular Against The Spread (ATS) Bets:

• Michigan (-2.5) vs UC San Diego leads public betting
• North Carolina (-3.5) vs San Diego State in First Four showing heavy action

Championship Betting Trends:

• Duke commands 40% of total handle, boosted by Cooper Flagg's expected return
• Florida follows with 21% of bets
• Combined, these two teams account for 61% of all championship wagers

Key Factors Influencing Public Bets:

• Brand recognition vs lesser-known programs
• Recent performance (especially Michigan's Big Ten Tournament run)
• Star power (Flagg's impact on Duke's odds)
• Historical program success

These early betting patterns may shift as March Madness approaches, but they provide valuable insight into public sentiment following Selection Sunday.

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