March Madness 2025: Bad beat for bettors as last-second 3-pointer pushes Florida-UConn over the total
Every year during March Madness, we're accustomed to buzzer-beaters and last-second finishes — but usually they relate to the outcome of the game. In the betting world, these exist in the form of bad beats — and there was a particularly awful one for some bettors during the ending of the Florida-UConn game.
With the betting total closing at 150.5 at BetMGM and other sportsbooks, those who had wagered on the game going under were in fantastic shape with the score 70-64 after Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. made a 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining in the game. But 18 points were scored over the final 40 seconds, including a meaningless-to-the-game-outcome Liam McNeeley 3-pointer at the buzzer, to push the game over the total in a 77-75 Florida win.
The Huskies, 9.5-point underdogs against No. 1 Florida, did cover the spread in a record 14th straight NCAA tournament game, although that will be little consolation for their fans. UConn played well and led throughout most of the game.
FLORIDA DEFEATS THE 2-TIME DEFENDING CHAMPS 🐊@GatorsMBK IS HEADED TO THE #SWEET16 🔥#MarhcMadness pic.twitter.com/eOhDk2wekN
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
The game going over the total was a bad result at BetMGM, which reported 87% of the money wagered on the over.
One Vegas oddsmaker texted Yahoo Sports that the result was, simply, "no good."
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