Best 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament Bets: Sweet 16

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As soon as JuJu Watkins went down Monday night, it was apparent something was wrong. Fans could only hope that it wasn't the worst-case scenario, but it was: torn ACL. They went on to record a massive win over Mississippi State, but their title odds have taken a hit. However, a solid argument could be made that the Trojans have only gone from being one of the top contenders to becoming the best value play.

Let’s take a look at the latest NCAAW futures odds ahead of the Sweet 16.

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Best 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament Bets: Sweet 16

(All bets are one unit unless otherwise stated)

NCAAW National Championship Odds Post-JuJu Watkins Injury

The USC Trojans were one of the top contenders for the national title when the Tournament got underway with +650 odds at Caesars. Only UCLA (+500), Connecticut (+240), and South Carolina (+235) had shorter odds.

Here's how the top of the betting board at Caesars Sportsbook looks ahead of the Sweet 16 and the injury to Watkins:

None of the top teams were ever in any real danger of losing either their first or second-round game, not even USC, despite losing Watkins early in the game. USC's odds, of course, took a massive hit in the wake of a devastating injury to their star player. Why such a massive hit, from +650 to +2500? South Carolina, Texas, UConn, and Notre Dame are all still operating at full strength.

With the roster at 100% (with Watkins), the Trojans could compete with any of them. But can we say that now?

USC can't replace Watkins, but they may not have to. Kiki Iriafen was on the women's Wooden Award watchlist this season right along with Watkins. When the team needed her to step up on Monday, she scored 36 points and recorded nine rebounds. Of course, doing that for one game against a 9-seed is one thing. The competition will be more challenging from here on out.

However, at +2500, the possibility that she can make USC a tremendous value play. I still consider UConn my favorite to win it all, and I like Texas at +850, but if I'm betting on anyone to win it all ahead of the Sweet 16, it's USC.

Additional NCAAW Futures Market: Regional Winners

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Regional 1 – Spokane

UCLA still appears to be the favorite in this region after playing solid games against Southern and Richmond. There is no apparent kink in the armor. Ole Miss has a massive challenge on their hands if they are going to pull off an upset. Between Florida and LSU, I have to go with the team that has scored 100+ points in back-to-back games as having the next best chance.

However, I would not qualify them as having such a good chance that it is worth betting on them.

Regional 2 – Birmingham

Do I think South Carolina will lose their region? Of course not. There isn't another team in the Tournament with the Tournament experience and talent the Gamecocks have. That being said, they didn't dominate Indiana enough for me not to consider betting on someone else.

At +2900, I'd say Maryland is the only market worth betting on. That's not to say I'm expecting them to beat South Carolina in their Sweet 16 matchup, but there is a formula. They have to turn the game into a shootout. The Terps shot 11-of-26 from three-point range in their 108-100 2OT win over the Tide.

South Carolina plays solid perimeter defense, but if they can heat up and knock a few shots down, the Gamecocks are not built to mount comebacks. Just about the only thing they aren't great at is three-point shooting. However, even though I feel like there is value here, I'm going no higher than $10 on them without having a no-sweat bet or bet insurance of some kind protecting my stake.

Regional 3 – Birmingham

I'm enjoying TCU and Tennessee's runs, but the winner in this region will either be Texas or Notre Dame. However, at their current odds, I'm betting on Notre Dame (not a fan of betting on minus-money odds).

Regional 4 – Spokane

  • UConn
  • USC
  • Oklahoma
  • Kansas State

With JuJu Watkins going down Monday night and USC still killing Mississippi State, books must be debating how to move forward with this region because none of the major operators have odds posted as of Tuesday afternoon.

No matter what the odds end up being, the region is still a toss-up between the Trojans and Huskies.