Average scores are an excellent way to create a prediction strategy. Players can use them for many predictions, available right here at Sportzino. We’ve closely examined the average March Madness final score to create a detailed data bank for players to use.
March Madness isn’t just one of the most exciting events in sports—it’s also a stats lover’s dream. Every year, fans look to trends, patterns, and averages to make more informed picks, especially when it comes to tiebreakers and final score projections. So, what is the average final score for the March Madness championship games? Let’s dive into the data.
- What Is the Average Score for the Men’s March Madness Final?
- What Is the Average Final Score for the Women’s March Madness?
- What Is the Most Common Score in the NCAA Tournament?
- What’s the Average College Basketball Game Score?
- How Do You Pick a Tie Breaker Score in March Madness?
- Strategy Tips for Filling Out the Bracket
What Is the Average Score for the Men’s March Madness Final?
It’s impossible to get a complete picture of the average March Madness final score. Due to the fact that three-point shots weren’t allowed until 1987, it skews all scores in games before that. So, we’ve looked at the final games between 1987 and 2022 to calculate the average score for the final match.
Since 1987, the average combined score of the March Madness final is 145. To split that score down the middle would give a score of 73-72; however, the average gap between the two teams is 9 points. As a result, the average score for the Men’s March Madness Final is 77-68.
Here’s a quick look at the last five championship game totals:
| Year | Winner vs. Runner-Up | Final Score | Combined Total |
| 2024 | UConn vs. Purdue | 75–60 | 135 |
| 2023 | UConn vs. San Diego State | 76–59 | 135 |
| 2022 | Kansas vs. North Carolina | 72–69 | 141 |
| 2021 | Baylor vs. Gonzaga | 86–70 | 156 |
| 2019 | Virginia vs. Texas Tech | 85–77 (OT) | 162 |
Note: The 2020 tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.
Make a March Madness prediction and test your fortune.
What Is the Average Final Score for the Women’s March Madness?
It’s a similar story behind the average score for the women’s NCAA tournament final, taking the results from 1987 to 2022 for the data. However, the average score of the March Madness final for women has a more considerable disparity and a lower overall average.
The average March Madness final score is a total of 133. There’s a difference of 12 points between the two teams in the final. It makes it difficult to calculate the average score perfectly, as it requires decimals to get it exactly right. So, the closest result we can offer for the average final score for the Women’s March Madness is 73-61.
What Is the Most Common Score in the NCAA Tournament?
While exact scores vary widely, certain score ranges repeat more often than others in both men’s and women’s brackets.
For example:
- Men’s Tournament: 68–72 for winners, 60–66 for runners-up
- Women’s Tournament: 70–78 for winners, 62–68 for runners-up
These score bands reflect the rhythm of tournament basketball, where defensive intensity increases but star talent often shines through in big moments.
Total Points in March Madness Championship Games
Let’s break down the combined point totals from recent men’s and women’s championship games to uncover patterns:
| Category | Men’s Average | Women’s Average |
| Final Score (Winner) | ~72 pts | ~75 pts |
| Final Score (Runner-Up) | ~66 pts | ~65 pts |
| Total Points | 138–145 pts | 140–145 pts |
These totals help fans and analysts project outcomes, especially for tiebreaker questions in bracket contests.
What’s the Average College Basketball Game Score?
In general, regular-season college basketball games (men’s) tend to average around 70–72 points per team, while women’s teams typically score slightly higher. However, March Madness games tend to dip a few points due to tighter defenses and increased pressure.
March Madness Final Avg Total: ~140 pts (Men) | ~145 pts (Women)
Men’s Average Game Total (Season): ~143 pts
Women’s Average Game Total (Season): ~146 pts
How Do You Pick a Tie Breaker Score in March Madness?
When it comes to filling out your bracket, the tiebreaker score for the championship game can be the difference between first and second place. The key is to look at historical scoring trends and adjust based on the matchups.
Here’s a quick formula:
Round to a clean number like 138 or 142 to stay within the trend
Add the average points per game for each team
Subtract 5–8 points to account for a stronger defense in the final
The best way to pick a tiebreaker for March Madness is using the average points per game. Players must also combine it with individual team data relating to scores. For example, if two teams who regularly score sub-50 points are playing, they’re unlikely to hit the standard average. Any player can find the best prediction with our options at Sportzino.
Strategy Tips for Filling Out the Bracket
Track the pace of play and efficiency metrics heading into the tournament
Favor high seeds, but expect at least one upset per region
Use historical scoring trends to inform your final score prediction
