MOP Betting Odds and Predictions for the Final Four Most Outstanding Player

by Jeremy Block - 4/2/2025

MoP Award odds and predictions for Final Four Alijah Martin Florida Gators

For once, March Madness hasn’t been so mad after all. Not many Cinderella stories, or shocking upsets -- just the four best teams in the country battling it out for a national title. With all No. 1 seeds making the Final Four, the race for Most Outstanding Player (MOP) is stacked with elite talent. The usual chaos might be missing, but that only makes the MOP conversation even tougher. When the best of the best square off, who’s going to shine brightest?

With just a couple of games left, it’s time to zero in on the players most likely to claim the MOP crown. I’ve got a few names in mind, so let’s break it all down and see who’s got the best shot.

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Johni Broome - Auburn

For once, you’ve found a prediction story that doesn’t have Cooper Flagg at the top. You know why? It's because you’ve found the real deal. And with that, Auburn’s Johni Broome is my top pick to walk away with the MOP award this March Madness. While Broome may not be lighting up the scoreboard like some of the other big names, don’t let that fool you. The 6’10” senior is averaging a double-double with 18.9 points and 10.9 rebounds, and he’s put up a double-double three times already in this tournament.

Broome isn’t just scoring and grabbing boards -- he’s been the anchor for Auburn on both ends of the floor. Whether it’s shutting down the paint, boxing out, or making the right play, he’s doing the dirty work. And unlike so many of today’s players, Broome hasn’t forgotten about defense -- he’s averaging 2.4 blocks per game this season.

Look, if you want a player who can do it all for your team, look no further than Johni Broome. Keep an eye on him as he leads Auburn into the Final Four.

Cooper Flagg - Duke

I’m not exactly waving the Duke flag, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that Flagg, the Blue Devils' leading scorer and likely future No. 1 draft pick, is shaping up to be one of the top picks for the MOP award. Flagg has been outstanding all season. And despite a sprained ankle just weeks ago, he’s bounced back and solidified his place as one of the most impactful freshmen in Division I basketball.

Coming off a solid 16-point, near double-double performance -- grabbing nine rebounds in a tough win over No. 2 seed Alabama -- Flagg has proven he’s not just about the points. He’s a complete player, crashing the boards and playing tough defense when it matters most. Don’t be surprised if, not only does he help Duke cut down the nets this tournament, but he also walks away with MOP honors as he heads into the NBA draft this offseason.

Walter Clayton Jr.

Coming in at the bronze spot, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. has been an absolute offensive force this March Madness. While Clayton Jr. might not be as dominant on both ends as some of the other contenders, his scoring ability has been a huge driving factor for the Gators success. The senior guard has been putting up 20+ point games throughout the tournament with ease, and it’s clear that his offensive game is exactly what Florida needs.

And yes, Clayton Jr.'s coming off a huge 30-point performance against a tough, 3-seeded Texas Tech team. That’s just another reminder of how reliable he’s been this tournament. As we approach the Final Four, don’t be surprised if he continues to show out and lead the Gators all the way to the championship. With his scoring ability, he could very well be the one to push Florida to the top.

L.J. Cryer - Houston

Coming in at my fourth and final spot, I’m all in on Houston’s L.J. Cryer to walk away with the MOP award and shock the March Madness betting community. Sure, Cryer might not be as heavily hyped as some of the other names on my list, but there’s no denying he’s been the go-to scorer for Houston throughout this tournament. While the Cougars are known for their tough defense, it’s Cryer’s offense that often makes the difference when the game is on the line.

Averaging 15.4 points on the season and coming off a clutch 17-point, 7-rebound performance against the top-ranked defense in the country, Tennessee, Cryer has just catapulted himself into serious MOP consideration. With his ability to step up in big moments, keep your eyes on him in the Final Four -- he’s ready to remind everyone why the bet should be on Houston’s leading scorer.

Dark Horses

Alijah Martin - Florida

Moving on to my first dark horse pick, I’ve got Florida Gators’ veteran guard Alijah Martin. While the name Clayton Jr. often steals the spotlight, let’s not forget about Martin, who’s been the steady co-captain for this Gators team. Averaging 14.5 points this season and shooting 45% from the field, the 6’2’’ senior guard has quietly been a crucial piece throughout this tournament.

Martin may not be the go-to guy, but he’s been a reliable force, posting five straight games with 10 or more points, and two of those games included 7+ rebounds. Oh, and don’t forget -- just three turnovers in five games. I don’t know about you, but I'd call that reliable. So, if Clayton Jr. hits a cold streak, it’s on Martin to step up. And he’s done it before. Keep an eye on him when you’re placing your MOP bets.

Emanuel Sharp - Houston

Last but certainly not least, I'm going with Houston Cougars guard Emmanuel Sharp as my final dark horse pick. Is Sharp the go-to guy for the Cougars? Not exactly. Is he the leading scorer on the team? No. But, here’s the deal: Sharp has been a major asset for this Houston team during March Madness. Averaging 12.7 points a game might not seem like much, but don’t sleep on the fact he’s dropped 16+ points in back-to-back games. In the first round, he went off for 17 points -- way over his average.

While he’s not the flashiest guy on the court, Sharp has been a key player on defense, shutting down opposing stars. Not as explosive or athletic as some of the top names on my list, but he’s been a steady performer and is definitely a long shot worth considering for the MOP award. If you're looking for a dark horse, don’t count him out just yet.

Odds to win the NCAA Tournament MoP Award:

Johni Broome (+650)

Cooper Flagg (+120)

Waltyer Clayton Jr. (+350)

L.J. Cryer (+900)

Alijah Martin (+2200)

Emanuel Sharp (+1800)

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Pick:	OVER 1.5 (-150)
Start:	April 18, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
Expert:	Doc's Sports

Analysis:

Comp Soccer pick from Doc’s Sports for Friday: (8-Unit NHL Best Bet Below) Spanish LaLiga Take Espanyol/Getafe OVER 1.5 (-150) (3 p.m. EST, Friday April 19) These teams aren’t great offensively, but both have been in their best offensive form of the season recently. Espanyol have scored in 12 straight matches. They have six goals in their last two matches, and both of those were on the road. They will be missing their top scorer here because of suspension, but we think his teammates will step up. And with the way they have been performing, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the home side covers this line by themselves. Getafe have scored in five straight matches. They have 10 goals in their last five matches. So there’s a great chance they will get their share of this low total here on Friday. These sides have played in low scoring matches the last few meetings, but with their current form, combined with this low total, we will lay the juice for the offenses to stay hot here at RCDE Stadium. Read More Read Less

MOP Betting Odds and Predictions for the Final Four Most Outstanding Player

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