With an Epic Ending in the Final Four, College Basketball Season Is Over

There is only one thing we can all do now — move on. It’s time to start looking ahead to next season.

While a lot can happen in the months ahead, it’s a great time to bet on NCAA basketball futures.

With the transfer portal and NBA Draft decimating some teams, you might think: Why now? So much could change that it might make any bet feel like a bad one before the season even starts.

That’s true — but that’s also what makes now a fantastic time to find value.

NCAA Men’s Basketball Futures: Latest Odds and Betting Trends

The following are the top 10 contenders (according to their odds) for the 2025–26 NCAA men’s basketball championship, via DraftKings:

Duke +1000

Houston +1100

UConn +1400

Purdue +1600

BYU +1700

St. John’s +1800

Kentucky +2000

Kansas +2000

Arkansas +2000

Louisville +2200

The defending champs are tied with several teams (Auburn, Alabama, Texas Tech, etc.) just outside the top 10 at +2500. So, who should you bet on?

Well, I can’t tell you that. But I can tell you this: Of the last 10 tournaments for which I could find odds posted from April to July (2022–25; 2014–19), the betting favorite at the time did notgo on to win the national championship that year.

Of those 10 tournaments, the eventual winner had odds from +1000 to +2000 six times (2024 — UConn, +1100; 2022 — Kansas, +2000; 2019 — Virginia, +1800; 2018 — Villanova, +1200; 2016 — Villanova, +2000; 2015 — Duke, +1000).

Florida had +4000 odds. UConn had +6600 in 2023 and +7000 in 2014.

I bet you’re still wondering who you shouldbet on. I still can’t tell you that — but I cantell you this: Here are the teams I’m betting on now ($10 each). If they pan out, that would be fantastic. If they don’t — eh, the risk is worth the potential reward.