Purdue Named Preseason Favorite for NCAA Championship at +850 Odds

UPDATE: The Purdue Boilermakers have been confirmed as the preseason favorites to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, boasting +850 odds at ESPN BET. This marks a historic moment for Purdue, as they enter the season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for the first time ever.

Just announced, Purdue’s rise to the top comes on the heels of a productive offseason and the return of key players, including Wooden Award favorite Braden Smith, whose odds stand at +400. Purdue has quickly gained traction among bettors, leading the national championship handle at both ESPN BET and BetMGM.

The Houston Cougars, last season’s runners-up, sit as the second favorites at +1000, while Duke follows closely at +1100. UConn and Kentucky round out the top five with +1200 and +1500 odds, respectively.

Patrick Berbert, a Caesars college basketball trader, stated, “There’s been a lot of offseason buzz around Purdue with them bringing three players back and addressing some weaknesses in the portal.” The transfer portal’s impact has been significant, reshaping team dynamics and odds as teams look to balance new talent with existing chemistry.

In contrast, the Duke Blue Devils have seen their odds lengthen due to significant losses in their roster, including top pick Cooper Flagg, who has declared for the NBA draft. Despite this, Duke still attracts 8.1% of the bets at BetMGM, though only 6.4% of the money.

Meanwhile, the Florida Gators, last season’s champions, come into the new campaign with improved odds at +1600, a remarkable shift from the previous season’s +6000. While they have garnered moderate betting action, the Gators are looking to replicate their surprising run from last season.

Berbert noted the potential for a “sleeper team” to emerge, saying, “Most years, there is a sleeper team out there that wasn’t expected to do well and they’ll play really well early on.” This highlights the volatility and excitement surrounding the upcoming season, as teams vie for dominance in a rapidly changing landscape.

As the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season approaches, fans and bettors alike are eagerly watching these developments. Stay tuned for updates as the season unfolds, with early performances potentially reshaping expectations and odds across the board.