Spartans’ Title Odds On the Rise As We Approach Start of College Hoops
Preseason rankings just came out so I guess it’s time to take a look at the latest college hoops title odds (though I had already planned this a couple days ago.)
#1 Duke had a massive odds improvement in August after they landed Marvin Bagley, perhaps the best incoming freshman in the nation. That is when we last updated our odds…what has happened in the interim?
Obviously the big move that you’ll first notice is Michigan State going from 10/1 to 4/1.
The Spartans will have last year’s freshman standout Miles Bridges returning, who is expected to be one of, if not the best player in the country. Along with Bridges, sophomore center Nick Ward, another top player in the country, will be returning. They’ve also added a top-10 recruit in PF Jaren Jackson.
The big question is whether or not they can keep up with the big boys at Duke. They’ll have the always-controversial Grayson Allen returning to ensure they’re hated by casual fans across the country. Along with some of the most active feet in the nation, Allen brings a ton of experience and skill to a roster loaded with youngsters.
Along with Bagley, Duke also managed to bring in three more top-10 recruits, including the best point guard in Trevon Duval. At their 3/1 price, it doesn’t appear that they have received much attention from Vegas bettors, though, as you’d almost certainly be better off waiting until later in the season.
Kentucky and Arizona have also seen minor increases in odds. Like Duke, Kentucky has brought in a slew of top prospects who have big potential. They don’t have a top 10 recruit according to ESPN, but they do have five of the top 25.
Arizona doesn’t have a glut of incoming studs, but they do have DeAndre Ayton. A traditional center, Ayton is expected to be the fourth best player in the country according to The Big Lead.
Perhaps the biggest loser of the bunch is Louisville, who has slipped from 15/1 to 40/1 (~4% drop in implied probability) following the Rick Pitino scandal and subsequent firing. They don’t have any elite players on their roster and will have to make do with rookie Head Coach David Padgett.
We’ll kick the season off with a bang in a couple weeks when Duke and Michigan State face off on Tuesday the 14th. This early season clash should serve as a title odds barometer and if one team seems overmatched, we’re likely to see some big movement the next day.
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