March has arrived, which means March Madness is just around the corner.
With the college basketball regular season wrapping up and conference tournaments getting underway, there’s no better time to take a look at which teams could be cutting down the nets in April.
Let’s take a look at the latest NCAAB National Championship odds and pick out some of our best bets to win it all.
NCAAB National Championship Betting Odds
College basketball odds used for these National Championship best bets are from Wednesday, March 6, and courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
- UConn (+500)
- Houston (+600)
- Purdue (+700)
- Arizona (+900)
- Tennessee (+1200)
- Kentucky (+1600)
- North Carolina (+1800)
- Auburn (+1800)
- Iowa State (+2200)
- Duke (+2200)
- Marquette (+2500)
- Alabama (+2500)
- Creighton (+2500)
NCAAB National Championship Best Bet
Houston (+600)
The Cougars sit atop the AP Top 25, the Coaches Poll, and Ken Pomeroy’s college basketball rankings, so it’s a bit odd that they aren’t the betting favorites to cut down the nets in Phoenix.
Houston has everything necessary to succeed in the NCAA Tournament: a pair of standout senior guards in L.J. Cryer and Jamal Shead, a commitment to defensive excellence (the Cougars lead the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency), and a hunger after falling short the last few years.
Head coach Kelvin Sampson has led this program to the Sweet 16 or further each of the past three seasons, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is the year the Cougs get over the hump.
[pick id="175576"]
NCAAB National Championship Favorites
UConn (+500)
After winning the National Championship last season as a four-seed, the Huskies have shown no signs of slowing down.
With two games remaining, UConn has already claimed the Big East regular-season title and is on course for a No. 1 seed.
Dan Hurley’s squad plays at an elite level on both ends of the floor, ranking third in adjusted offensive efficiency and 13th in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom.
While the talent is there and much of the roster has NCAA Tournament experience after winning it all last year, the challenge of winning back-to-back titles — something that hasn’t been done since Florida repeated in 2007 — can’t be underestimated.
[pick id="175577"]
Purdue (+700)
Regular-season success is great, but Purdue has much to prove when crunch time arrives.
The Boilermakers became the second-ever No. 1 seed to fall in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament last year, losing to Fairleigh Dickinson 63-58.
The first-ever top seed to lose its opening tournament game, Virginia, responded by winning the National Championship the following season.
Can Matt Painter’s squad repeat that feat?
I find it hard to trust teams centered around a big man like Zach Edey, but it would be some story.
NCAAB National Championship Contenders
Arizona (+900)
Speaking of teams that have something to prove after an early exit in 2023, Arizona will be eager to turn the page after an embarrassing first-round loss to Princeton.
Tommy Lloyd’s squad fits the metrics I look for in a potential champion, ranking sixth in adjusted offensive efficiency and 14th in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom.
Plus, the Wildcats have an uber-talented guard in North Carolina transfer Caleb Love, who can take over a game and carry his team offensively if need be.
Arizona should make some noise into the second weekend and beyond.
[pick id="175578"]
Kentucky (+1600)
John Calipari’s teams are rarely devoid of talent, and this Kentucky squad has the potential to make a deep run in March if it can commit itself to the defensive end of the floor.
The Wildcats rank 93rd in adjusted defensive efficiency but have flashed potential, limiting Arkansas to 57 points and Auburn to 59 points in road wins on Jan. 27 and Feb. 17 respectively.
Conversely, Kentucky allowed a season-high 102 points against Arkansas in the reverse fixture at Rupp Arena on March 2 but still won the game by nine points.
If opponents choose to play an up-and-down game against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, that strategy probably won’t work well for them. However, it’s hard to know how this relatively young group will react to the nerves and pressure of a slow tournament grind.
Given the inconsistency, Kentucky makes for a better National Championship bet than a team you want to rely on in your bracket.
NCAAB National Championship Sleepers
North Carolina (+1800)
If you’re looking to back a team with experience, North Carolina has it in abundance.
Leading scorers R.J. Davis (22 years old) and Armando Bacot (23 years old) combined to play 78 of 80 possible minutes in the Tar Heels’ loss to Kansas in the 2022 National Championship Game.
Bacot, who is in his fifth season at UNC, is averaging a double-double for the third straight year and has played more ACC games than anyone ever.
Davis, a true senior who could return for a fifth season, is averaging career-highs in points per game (21.5) and three-point field goal percentage (41.7%).
Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan (25 years old) is playing his fifth collegiate season and also can heat up from three-point land.
Hubert Davis’ squad may lack depth compared to some of its competition, but the Tar Heels have talent and experience, which are invaluable in March.
[pick id="175579"]
Marquette (+2500)
The Golden Eagles are an intriguing National Championship pick at this price. However, there is a major injury concern to be aware of.
2022-23 Big East Player of the Year Tyler Kolek hurt his oblique in last week’s win over Providence, leaving his team shorthanded for its loss at Creighton on Saturday.
Kolek, who is averaging 15 points, 7.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game this campaign, is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season but could return for the Big East Tournament.
As long as he’s back for the Big Dance, Shaka Smart’s squad will have a chance to make a deep run.
Past NCAAB National Championship Winners
2023: UConn
2022: Kansas
2021: Baylor
2020: Canceled due to Covid-19 Pandemic
2019: Virginia
2018: Villanova
2017: North Carolina
2016: Villanova
2015: Duke
2014: UConn