2017-18 College Basketball National Championship Odds
On Sunday afternoon, the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook became the first sportsbook to post odds for the 2017-18 NCAA men’s basketball championship. North Carolina, who would defeat Gonzaga in the national championship the following day, opened with the fourth best odds at +1,200. Three perennial powerhouses — Kentucky, Louisville, and Duke — opened as the co-favorites at +1,000.
The table below, which uses preseason odds from 5Dimes and BetOnline, displays the title odds for the past nine national champions and preseason favorites. (Information courtesy of SportsOddsHistory)
| Year | Champion | Odds | Preseason Fav | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | North Carolina | +2400 | Duke | +525 |
| 2015-16 | Villanova | +2000 | North Carolina | +800 |
| 2014-15 | Duke | +1000 | Kentucky | +400 |
| 2013-14 | UConn | +7000 | Kentucky | +500 |
| 2012-13 | Louisville | +800 | Indiana | +700 |
| 2011-12 | Kentucky | +550 | North Carolina | +350 |
| 2010-11 | UConn | +4000 | Duke | +500 |
| 2009-10 | Duke | +1200 | Kansas/Kentucky | +500 |
| 2008-09 | North Carolina | +450 | North Carolina | +450 |
As you can see, Duke, North Carolina or Kentucky has been the pre-season favorite in nine of the past ten seasons with the 2012-13 Indiana Hoosiers providing the lone exception. That trend continued this season with both Duke and Kentucky opening as co-favorites.
The table below displays the 2017-18 title odds from the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.
Last year a new rule was put in place which allows players to declare for the NBA Draft, remove their names before May 24th deadline, and still retain their college eligibility. This will make these next few weeks particularly interesting, as players are being highly incentivized to at least test the draft waters. Once it’s clear who’s staying and who’s going, it will be easier to analyze the futures market. That said, the Minnesota Golden Gophers look like an interesting value play at +10,000.
Minnesota will graduate just one senior (Akeem Springs) after an impressive 24-10 season that concluded with a tough first round tournament loss against an under-seeded Middle Tennessee State team. The Golden Gophers return 88% of their scoring, 93% of their rebounding and 92% of their assists. With ESPN top 100 recruit Isaiah Washington joining an experienced backcourt that includes a potential Big Ten Player of the Year candidate (Nate Mason), the Golden Gophers could once again surprise folks next season.
The college basketball season may be over, but make sure to bookmark our free NCAAB odds page for the latest odds, public betting trends, futures and more.
Which teams to you believe are being undervalued? Does North Carolina have a chance to repeat? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
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