Editor’s note: This article was updated on September 1st, 2022.
College students are returning to campuses around the country, and college basketball is on the horizon. While millions of fans prepare for the start of the college football season, plenty of student-athletes are working to improve in the offseason before the NCAA basketball regular season.
Welcome to the fifth installment of NCAA March Madness odds. This shows where teams are trending as we look at the teams with the best odds to win the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Who has the edge? Where is the value? Let’s answer those questions.
As always, check out Oddstrader’s power rankings for the season and the handicapping tools provided. These use analytics to improve your picks and help you make educated decisions this season.
OddsTrader’s Betting Edge
• North Carolina creates a four-way tie after seeing odds move from +1200 to +1000. This shows the lack of a clear frontrunner this season, and we are in store for a great year.
• Kansas’s odds dropped to +1600 after winning the title last season. The Jayhawks retain the best coach in college basketball, but the last team to win back-to-back national titles was the Florida Gators in ‘06 and ‘07.
• Gonzaga remains at the top of the rankings despite the loss of Chet Holmgren this offseason. The Bulldogs have remained at the top of odds rankings in each of the last three seasons, but they have yet to win a title. Will this be Gonzaga’s year?
These are the updated betting odds for the Top 10 college basketball teams to win the national championship in 2023. All updated college basketball odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of September 1st, 2022.
| Team | Odds to Win National Championship |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | +1000 |
| Gonzaga | +1000 |
| Houston | +1000 |
| North Carolina | +1000 |
| Duke | +1200 |
| Arkansas | +1200 |
| UCLA | +1400 |
| Kansas | +1600 |
| Baylor | +1600 |
| Arizona | +2000 |
OddsTrader’s Preseason Top 10
1. Kentucky Wildcats
- Last Year’s Record: 26-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – First Round – Lost to St. Peters
Kentucky still needs to prove itself after losing in the first round despite being a 2 seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Thankfully, the Wildcats have one of the top rosters in college basketball.
With two of the 12 best recruits in the 2022 class and a quality transfer joining the team, the Wildcats should have more depth this season.
A healthy C.J. Fredrick adds perimeter shooting, so UK should be a balanced team this year.
2. Gonzaga Bulldogs
- Last Year’s Record: 28-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Arkansas
Gonzaga remains one of the best teams on paper in college basketball despite losing Holmgren to the NBA. With Drew Timme returning, there will be a veteran presence.
The real question is how the Bulldogs will succeed offensively without Nembhard and defensively without Holmgren.
Still, the Bulldogs will dominate the regular season and be poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament once again.
3. Houston Cougars
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 5 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Villanova
The Cougars made a deep NCAA Tournament last year run despite devastating injuries to the backcourt. This year, they look to be healthy with an experienced roster.
This is one of those rare instances where teams that come up just short have a chance to go even deeper in the upcoming season. Watch out for the Cougars.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels
- Last Year’s Record: 29-10
- 2022 March Madness: No. 8 Seed – Championship Game – Lost to Kansas
The Tarheels have an amazing coach with a deep roster. This was supposed to be the year UNC became a relevant program again. Instead, they arrived a year early with a deep NCAA Tournament run.
They are now poised to make it back to the NCAA Tournament with a chip on their shoulder.
Don’t count the Heels out this year just because they lost in the championship game last season. Their odds are going up, so people clearly think this team has a chance to win it all.
5. Duke Blue Devils
- Last Year’s Record: 32-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – Final Four – Lost to North Carolina
Everyone has one question about the Duke Blue Devils this season: How will they look without Coach K on the sidelines?
Thanks to Tyrese Proctor, the talent will be there on the court. The squad keeps recruiting at an elite level, so don’t be surprised if this team remains just as talented this year.
The true coaching gap will be apparent in the NCAA Tournament, but hopefully the coaching staff will have enough experience by the time March rolls around.
6. Arkansas Razorbacks
- Last Year’s Record: 28-9
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Duke
You want to keep expectations realistic with the Razorbacks, but the fact remains that the squad keeps performing in the NCAA Tournament.
With better recruiting and another year in the system, Arkansas should be in contention to win the SEC this year.
The Razorbacks will always be a gritty team that is hard to beat. They will rarely be upset in the postseason, and that high floor matters when making NCAA Tournament picks.
7. UCLA Bruins
- Last Year’s Record: 27-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to North Carolina
UCLA appears to be the best team in the Pac-12, and they were one of the favorites to win it all last year. They came up short in the NCAA Tournament, but a lot of the reasons why bettors liked them before still apply.
UCLA has a nice roster with depth, and the coach is proven. That alone will put a team near the top 10, and the proven talent for UCLA puts them at No. 7.
8. Kansas Jayhawks
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Championship Game – Defeated North Carolina
Kansas saw a significant change in value since the last time we updated rankings. The rumors of bribery and violations will impact this, but the fact remains that the Jayhawks have a great roster this year.
Any recruiting violations could hurt Kansas in future years, but the team should be solid as long as they don’t receive a postseason ban or see a star player be suspended.
9. Baylor Bears
- Last Year’s Record: 27-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Second Round – Lost to North Carolina
Baylor won the title two years ago, but every key contributor from that team is now gone from the program. Some are in the NBA, and it can be hard to replace that level of talent.
Still, the Bears have a great roster with one of the best head coaches in the Big 12. This team can make a deep run if the bracket plays in their favor.
10. Arizona Wildcats
- Last Year’s Record: 33-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Houston
Losing a head coach is usually a reason to be concerned. However, Tommy Lloyd did a great job of keeping the Wildcats relevant. With a revamped roster, this team could look nasty in the Pac-12.
Now, will that be enough to win the title? With +2000 odds, you can be the judge of that.
Fourth Look
Editor’s note: This article was updated on August 19th, 2022.
Although college hoops won’t be front and center for a few more months, it’s never too early to take another look at what is transpiring in the offseason. This is OddsTrader’s fourth installment of the upcoming NCAAB season as we review the updated college basketball odds and find out which teams are attracting the most attention in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
Make sure to check out OddsTrader’s College Basketball Power Rankings as well as a whole host of handicapping tools at your disposal including its proprietary College Basketball Computer Picks once the season draws closer. OddsTrader puts the power of technology in your hands throughout the basketball season at no cost to you.
Below you will find the odds for the top college basketball team to win the national championship in 2023.
OddsTrader’s Betting Edge
• Perhaps one of the most under-the-radar transfers is CJ Frederick, the former Iowa sharpshooter who was injured all of last season and decided on Kentucky as his choice to get back on track and gain national exposure.
• Caleb Love had a breakout season last year for the Heels, averaging nearly 16 points per game, and he recently copped top honors as the MVP of Damian Lillard’s inaugural Formula Zero Camp, consisting of 39 of the best high school and college players in the nation.
• Australian native and Duke recruit Tyrese Proctor should turn plenty of heads this year if his game lives up to the hype.
• The Baylor Bears have an embarrassment of riches in their backcourt with Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer, Dale Bonner, and Keyonte George but don’t be surprised if freshman Langston love makes some noise.
All updated college basketball odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of August 19th, 2022.
| Team | Odds to Win National Championship |
| Gonzaga | +1000 |
| Houston | +1000 |
| Kentucky | +1000 |
| North Carolina | +1200 |
| Duke | +1200 |
| Kansas | +1200 |
| Arkansas | +1400 |
| UCLA | +1400 |
| Baylor | +1600 |
| Arizona | +2000 |
OddsTrader’s Preseason Top 10
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 28-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Arkansas
Only the most avid college hoops fans and bettors are looking at the college basketball odds in August as the NFL is gearing up and the MLB season is winding into September. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the NCAAB odds have not flinched since our last update.
Gonzaga is joined by Houston and Kentucky as the predicted preeminent powers this season.
2. Houston Cougars (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 5 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Villanova
The Cougars were bounced in the Elite Eight last season but imagine where they would have been if the talented tandem of Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark had not gotten injured?
Houston blew out Memphis in the conference finals and made a respectable run in the national tournament without them but both are healthy this season and at odds of +1000, the Cougars look like a value pick here.
3. Kentucky Wildcats (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 26-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – First Round – Lost to St. Peters
Perhaps one of the most under-the-radar transfers is CJ Fredrick, the former Iowa sharpshooter who was injured all of last season, has decided on Kentucky as his choice to get back on track and gain national exposure.
The 6’3” guard should be a killer from outside, shooting 47.4% from beyond the arc in his last healthy season with the Hawkeyes.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 29-10
- 2022 March Madness: No. 8 Seed – Championship Game – Lost to Kansas
Caleb Love had a breakout season last year for the Heels, averaging nearly 16 points per game, and he recently copped top honors as the MVP of Damian Lillard’s inaugural Formula Zero Camp, consisting of 39 of the best high school and college players in the nation.
“Connecting with Dame — you know, Dame’s my favorite player,” Love said. “I try to not just model my game after him, but also watch how he goes about things and how he approaches the game. So I watch a lot of film on him, and he was talking to me one-on-one, just telling me how it is in the league and how his college career went. That was great.
“I feel like I got better being there.”
5. Duke Blue Devils (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – Final Four – Lost to North Carolina
Australian native Tyrese Proctor should turn plenty of heads this year if his game lives up to the hype.
Ranked the 23rd prospect in the incoming class, Boston Globe’s college basketball analyst, Alex Walulik, wrote, “Athletically, Proctor is very shifty. He’s a great athlete in terms of quick movements, and starting and stopping on a dime. Proctor’s shiftiness and quick athleticism is a major plus. He has an excellent first step and an equally strong jab-step.”
6. Kansas Jayhawks (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Championship Game – Defeated North Carolina
Whether the absence of Kansas coach Bill Self and assistant coach Kurtis Townsend at key recruiting events this summer will ultimately hurt the program is unknown, but Kansas assistants Norm Roberts and Jeremy Case were on the recruiting trail in their place.
Allegations have been levied about bribery and corruption that have been kept on the down low in Lawrence and have yet to be proven but Kansas is playing it safe and keeping the high-profile coach and his chief assistant out of the recruiting spotlight…at least for this season.
7. Arkansas Razorbacks (+1400)
- Last Year’s Record: 28-9
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Duke
With a full-scale roster turnover, the Razorbacks have had the ideal opportunity to connect all the dots and the new faces. Arkansas will embark on a European Tour which allows the team to conduct 10 practices and play four games against international competition.
“Our goal is to have everything in by Sept. 1 and then go back in September and October and clean things up and maybe add a little bit,” head coach Eric Musselman said. “We have a lot in. It doesn’t mean we won’t be sloppy with our execution, but when we come back in September we won’t have to slow down to teach.”
8. UCLA Bruins (+1400)
- Last Year’s Record: 27-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to North Carolina
The Bruins are stacked again this season and if you are seeking a Pac-12 Player of the Year then you could do much worse than Jaime Jaquez Jr., who shot over 47% from the floor and averaged nearly 14 points per game.
Those numbers are expected to climb this season and if they do then UCLA will be riding his coattails.
9. Baylor Bears (+1600)
- Last Year’s Record: 27-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Second Round – Lost to North Carolina
The Bears have an embarrassment of riches in their backcourt with Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer, Dale Bonner, and Keyonte George but don’t be surprised if freshman Langston Love makes some noise.
If Baylor can stay healthy, unlike last season, then this is another big value on the board at +1600 whose odds could begin to tumble when college hoop returns. If you agree, don’t wait!
10. Arizona Wildcats (+2000)
- Last Year’s Record: 33-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Houston
The Maui Invitational will feature Arizona opening against Cincinnati over Thanksgiving week. The Cats have won all three meetings between these schools but they haven’t met in over 25 years.
Arizona has added Kylan Boswell, Courtney Ramey, Cedric Henderson Jr., and Henri Veesaar to the squad after watching several key pieces depart. But a word to the wise who may be doubting the Wildcats this season: don’t sleep on Pelle Larsson, who only played a bit part after transferring from Utah last year. Reports are he’s going to be a key contributor this season.
Third Look
Editor’s note: This article was updated on July 31st, 2022.
Although college hoops won’t be front and center for a few more months, it’s never too early to take another look at what is transpiring in the offseason.
This is OddsTrader’s third installment of the upcoming NCAAB season as we review the updated NCAAB national championship odds and find out which teams are attracting the most attention in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
Make sure to check out OddsTrader’s College Basketball Power Rankings as well as a whole host of free handicapping tools at your disposal including its proprietary College Basketball Computer Picks once the season draws closer.
OddsTrader’s Betting Edge
• Gonzaga continues to attract the most money but they are co-favorites along with Houston and Kentucky. They did add the 2021 the Southern Conference Player of the Year, Malachi Smith.
• As long as Oscar Tshiebwe is a Wildcat, Kentucky has to be considered a major threat. Last season’s College Basketball Player of the Year is a beast on the boards, leading the nation last season.
• The story in Durham will continue to be Duke’s stunning recruiting season under first-year head coach, Jon Scheyer. The Blue Devils landed the No. 1, 2, and 7, recruits in the nation.
• Longtime commit Kylan Boswell, a five-star recruit and the No. 3 point guard in the 2023 class has accelerated his move to Tucson and will be joining the Arizona roster this season.
Below you will find the betting odds for the top 10 college basketball team to win the national championship in 2023. All updated college basketball odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of July 31st, 2022.
| Team | Odds to Win National Championship |
| Gonzaga | +1000 |
| Houston | +1000 |
| Kentucky | +1000 |
| North Carolina | +1200 |
| Duke | +1200 |
| Kansas | +1200 |
| Arkansas | +1400 |
| UCLA | +1400 |
| Baylor | +1600 |
| Arizona | +2000 |
OddsTrader’s Preseason Top 10
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 28-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Arkansas
A powerhouse basketball program bringing back most of its prolific offense from a season ago and adding the Southern Conference Player of the Year, Malachi Smith, will of course be at the top of the charts to win the national championship.
The Zags continue to attract the most money but they are far from being the only chalk in town with Houston and Kentucky also tagged as the co-favorites.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Nolan Hickman (5.1 PPG)
- Malachi Smith (19.9 PPG at Chattanooga)
- Rasir Bolton (11.2 PPG)
- Julian Strawther (11.8 PPG)
- Drew Timme (18.4 PPG)
2. Houston Cougars (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 5 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Villanova
Houston will welcome back to its roster the talented duo of Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark, both of whom were injured during the middle of last season and never returned. But the game-changer could come in the form of the highest-rated recruit in Cougars’ history, Jarace Walker, whose 6’8” frame and nasty aggressiveness will bear fruit for Houston and possibly a national championship.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Jamal Shead (10.0 PPG)
- Marcus Sasser (17.7 PPG)
- Tramon Mark (10.1 PPG)
- Jarace Walker (No. 10 in ESPN 100)
- J’Wan Roberts (3.2 PPG)
3. Kentucky Wildcats (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 26-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – First Round – Lost to St. Peters
As long as Oscar Tshiebwe is wearing a Wildcats uniform Kentucky has to be considered a major threat. Yes, last season’s College Basketball Player of the Year is as good as advertised and he is a beast on the boards, leading the nation last season with 15.1 rebounds per game and averaging over 17 points per contest.
If the Cats want to take the next step, they will need to get much better from beyond the arc where they were amongst the worst three-point shooting teams in the nation. Iowa transfer C.J. Fredrick should remedy that issue in a big way when he comes off the bench, as will Illinois State transfer Antonio Reeves.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Sahvir Wheeler (10.1 PPG)
- Cason Wallace (No. 20 in ESPN 100)
- Antonio Reeves (20.1 PPG at Illinois State)
- Chris Livingston (No. 12 in ESPN 100)
- Oscar Tshiebwe (17.4 PPG)
4. North Carolina Tar Heels (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 29-10
- 2022 March Madness: No. 8 Seed – Championship Game – Lost to Kansas
The biggest news in Chapel Hill since we did our previous college hoops update is the decommitment of GG Jackson from North Carolina and his subsequent decision to commit to South Carolina. The 17-year-old prodigy is ranked the No. 2 player in the class of 2023 and it is no surprise that Heels’ fans were not happy with his decision.
However, in a public show of support, Caleb Love reached out to the budding superstar and told the press, “I heard the rumors before it happened and I called him and we talked a bit. I told him whatever happens, we’re still going to be good regardless. He’s a kid. He’s making the best decision for him and his family, so I can’t be mad at that.”
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Caleb Love (15.2 PPG)
- R.J. Davis (13.4 PPG)
- Leaky Black (4.9 PPG)
- Pete Nance (14.6 PPG)
- Armando Bacot (16.5 PPG)
5. Duke Blue Devils (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – Final Four – Lost to North Carolina
The story in Durham will continue to be Duke’s stunning recruiting season under first-year head coach, Jon Scheyer. The Blue Devils landed the No. 1, 2, and 7, recruits in the nation in the forms of Dereck Lively, Dariq Whitehead, and Kyle Filipowski, respectively. But whether all that talent can overcome the lack of experience at the next level under a rookie head coach is anyone’s guess.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Jeremy Roach (8.6 PPG)
- Dariq Whitehead (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
- Jacob Grandison (9.6 PPG at Illinois)
- Kyle Filipowski (No. 7 in ESPN 100)
- Dereck Lively (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
6. Kansas Jayhawks (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Championship Game – Defeated North Carolina
Gradey Dick and Ernest Udeh will be counted on to make immediate contributions to the defending national champions. Jalen Wilson will be the straw that stirs this drink and if the somewhat mercurial power forward can elevate his game and maintain more consistency, then the Jayhawks should be a threat to take home the hardware yet again.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Dajuan Harris Jr. (5.4 PPG)
- Gradey Dick (No. 14 in ESPN 100)
- Kevin McCullar (10.1 PPG at Texas Tech)
- Jalen Wilson (11.0 PPG)
- Ernest Udeh (No. 23 in ESPN 100)
7. Arkansas Razorbacks (+1400)
- Last Year’s Record: 28-9
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Duke
There will be plenty of new faces on this year’s team but there is no dearth of incoming talent. Nick Smith, the No. 3 recruit in the nation, is expected to shoulder much of the offensive burden and act as the team’s on-court quarterback the team this season. But don’t get too used to Smith creating highlight reels in a Hogs’ uniform as he will likely be a one-and-done player for head coach Eric Musselman.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Anthony Black (No. 15 in ESPN 100)
- Nick Smith (No. 3 in ESPN 100)
- Ricky Council IV (12.0 PPG at Wichita State)
- Jordan Walsh (No. 11 in ESPN 100)
- Makhel Mitchell (10.7 PPG at Rhode Island)
8. UCLA Bruins (+1400)
- Last Year’s Record: 27-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to North Carolina
The Bruins will need big bangers on the boards this season and incoming freshman, Adem Bona, will be charged with cleaning the glass and creating second-chance opportunities for the UCLA offense this season. Fellow blue-chip recruit, Amari Bailey will be the perimeter threat and ball distributor for a UCLA team that will hope to exceed its Sweet 16 exit from last season.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Tyger Campbell (11.9 PPG)
- Amari Bailey (No. 5 in ESPN 100)
- Jaylen Clark (6.7 PPG)
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (13.9 PPG)
- Adem Bona (No. 16 in ESPN 100)
9. Baylor Bears (+1600)
- Last Year’s Record: 27-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Second Round – Lost to North Carolina
If Keyonte George can continue the torrid play and mature demeanor he has demonstrated in the offseason with his eye-popping performances in the GLOBL Jam tournament held in Canada this summer then it should be a sweet ride to the Big Dance for the Bears this year.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Keyonte George (No. 6 in ESPN 100)
- Adam Flagler (13.8 PPG)
- LJ Cryer (13.5 PPG)
- Jalen Bridges (8.4 PPG at West Virginia)
- Flo Thamba (6.2 PPG)
10. Arizona Wildcats (+2000)
- Last Year’s Record: 33-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Houston
Longtime commit Kylan Boswell, a five-star recruit and the No. 3 point guard in the 2023 class has accelerated his move to Tucson and will be joining the Arizona roster this season. The 17-year-old guard will not be thrust into the starting lineup right away which should smooth his transition and provide greater depth in the Wildcats’ backcourt.
Projected Starting Lineup:
- Kerr Kriisa (9.7 PPG)
- Pelle Larsson (7.2 PPG)
- Courtney Ramey (9.4 PPG at Texas)
- Azuolas Tubelis (13.9 PPG)
- Oumar Ballo (6.8 PPG)
Second Look
Editor’s note: This article was updated on July 6th, 2022.
The college basketball season is still months away but it is never too early to begin evaluating the talent on the best teams in the nation. This is OddsTrader’s second installment of the upcoming NCAAB season as we take another look at the updated college basketball odds and find out which teams are catching the oddsmakers’ eye.
Make sure to check out OddsTrader’s College Basketball Power Rankings as well as a whole host of handicapping tools at your disposal including its proprietary College Basketball Computer Picks once the season draws closer.
OddsTrader’s Betting Edge
• In our first installment, the Zags were down the list at +1600 but public money has caused the odds to tumble to +1000 and now Gonzaga is a co-favorite to win the national crown.
• Armando Bacot, Caleb Love, and Leaky Black will be returning to North Carolina this season and this is a team that many believe will finish what they failed to do in April.
• UCLA’s fortunes will hinge on five-star prospects, Amari Bailey and Adem Bona.
• Arizona is excellent value at +2000 in this spot and should go deep in the tournament.
Below you will find the top college basketball team to win the national championship in 2023. All updated college basketball odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of July 6th, 2022.
| Team | Odds to Win National Championship |
| Gonzaga | +1000 |
| Houston | +1000 |
| Kentucky | +1000 |
| North Carolina | +1200 |
| Duke | +1200 |
| Kansas | +1200 |
| Arkansas | +1400 |
| UCLA | +1400 |
| Baylor | +1600 |
| Arizona | +2000 |
OddsTrader’s Preseason Top 10
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 28-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Arkansas
In our first installment, the Zags were down the list at +1600 but public money has caused the odds to tumble to +1000 and now Gonzaga is a co-favorite to win the national crown.
The Bulldogs are returning six of its top eight scorers from last season and will get a boost from Chattanooga transfer, Malachi Smith, who copped Southern Conference Player of the Year honors and averaged nearly 20 points per game.
2. Houston Cougars (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 5 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Villanova
The Cougars opened as the favorites to win it all but the odds have risen ever so slightly from +950 to +1000, sharing the top spot with Gonzaga and Kentucky.
Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark will return healthy to the starting lineup after both were lost to injury in December. Along with the top-ranked power forward in the 2022 class and the highest-rated recruit in the program’s history, five-star prospect Jarace Walker, this team could go deep.
3. Kentucky Wildcats (+1000)
- Last Year’s Record: 26-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – First Round – Lost to St. Peters
The Congolese sensation, Oscar Tshiebwe, will return after copping College Basketball Player of the Year honors as well as a slew of other awards for the power forward who led the nation with over 15 rebounds per game last season.
He will be joined by returning teammate Sahvir Wheeler as well as five-star guard Cason Wallace. Keion Brooks departed for Washington but there is still plenty of talent in Lexington this year to keep their national championship hopes very much alive.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 29-10
- 2022 March Madness: No. 8 Seed – Championship Game – Lost to Kansas
The Heels came up just short last season but they are in the oddsmakers’ top 10 for a reason. Northwestern transfer Pete Nance will join a national championship runner-up that is still very much intact.
All-American Armando Bacot, Caleb Love, and defensive wizard Leaky Black will be returning to the Tar Heels this season and this is a team that many believe will finish what they failed to do in April.
5. Duke Blue Devils (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – Final Four – Lost to North Carolina
Duke’s recruiting class is loaded, with three of the top four recruits in the nation heading to Durham. If the young guns can deliver then Duke will be in excellent shape to make a deep March Madness run.
Illinois transfer Jacob Grandison and Northwestern transfer Ryan Young will be in uniform to provide some much-needed experience at the collegiate level.
6. Kansas Jayhawks (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Championship Game – Defeated North Carolina
Jalen Wilson, Dajuan Harris, and Joseph Yusefu will be back along with 5-star prospects Gradey Dick, MJ Rice, and Ernest Udeh. Texas Tech transfer Kevin McCullar is also in the mix to help the Jayhawks defend their national championship reign.
7. Arkansas Razorbacks (+1400)
- Last Year’s Record: 28-9
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Duke
The Razorbacks will look completely different as all of their signature pieces from last year’s Elite Eight squad have gone their separate ways except for Davonte Davis.
However, if the elite core of incoming freshmen can assimilate with transfers Ricky Council (Wichita State), Jalen Graham (Arizona State), and twin brothers Makhel and Makhi Mitchell both transferring from URI then Arkansas could be a true contender.
8. UCLA Bruins (+1400)
- Last Year’s Record: 27-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to North Carolina
The Bruins’ fortunes will hinge on five-star prospects, Amari Bailey and Adem Bona. The freshmen will be counted on to stand and deliver in a big way along with returning starters Jaime Jaquez, Jules, and Tyger Campbell.
9. Baylor Bears (+1600)
- Last Year’s Record: 27-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Second Round – Lost to North Carolina
The Bears will only be one season removed from their national championship title when this upcoming season gets underway.
However, if things break just right, they will likely go deeper than their second-round bow to the Tar Heels in March. Keyonte George is the Bears’ big-time recruit and should set the tone in what will be a supremely talented backcourt.
10. Arizona Wildcats (+2000)
- Last Year’s Record: 33-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Houston
Portal transfers Courtney Ramey (Texas) and Cedric Henderson Jr. (Campbell) will join returning players Azuolas Tubelis, Kerr Kriisa, Pelle Larsson, and Oumar Ballo.
If you recall, Arizona was ranked No. 2 in the nation last year until they were upset by their conference rivals from Colorado. Arizona is excellent value at +2000 in this spot and should go deep in the tournament.
First Look
Editor’s note: This article was published on May 11th, 2022.
The Kansas Jayhawks outlasted the North Carolina Tar Heels in last year’s college basketball National Championship and took home the hardware for the first time in 14 years under legendary head coach, Bill Self.
However, the Jayhawks are not currently favored to do it all over again, as that distinction belongs to the Houston Cougars sitting atop the odds board at +950.
Rounding out the top five, according to FanDuel, is North Carolina (+1200), Kentucky (+1200), Duke (+1200), and Kansas (+1400). But are any of these teams worthy of a wager this early or is it wise to watch and wait while the rosters take shape?
The choice is yours but OddsTrader is going to reveal the odds of the preseason favorites and provide a quick primer on the nation’s top 10 entering the 2022-2023 season. Now, let’s analyze the NCAA Basketball odds and get a jump on the season!
OddsTrader’s Betting Edge
• There’s a reason Houston is at the top of the list and it’s because many of their key players are returning for the 2022-2023 season.
• Duke has the top-rated recruiting class thus far, with four five-star recruits ready to make an impact at the next level.
• Eric Musselman is the man responsible for constructing the best recruiting class in Arkansas history with three five-star recruits, Nick Smith, Jordan Walsh, and Anthony Black.
• The conventional wisdom is that the low odds on the Gonzaga Bulldogs is more a manifestation of them being a public team rather than a real threat.
Here you’ll find the betting odds for the Top 10 college basketball teams. All odds are courtesy of FanDuel.
| Team | Odds |
| Houston Cougars | +950 |
| North Carolina Tar Heels | +1200 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | +1200 |
| Duke Blue Devils | +1200 |
| Kansas Jayhawks | +1400 |
| UCLA Bruins | +1400 |
| Arkansas Razorbacks | +1500 |
| Gonzaga Bulldogs | +1600 |
| Baylor Bears | +1800 |
| Arizona Wildcats | +2000 |
OddsTrader’s Preseason Top 10
Houston Cougars (+950)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 5 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Villanova
There’s a reason Houston is at the top of the list and it’s because many of their key players are returning for the 2022-2023 season.
That’s unusual in this day and age but it will give the Cougars valuable experience that most teams are lacking, with so many of the stars going one-and-done. Houston will also add the highest-rated recruit in the program’s history, 6’8” Jarace Walker, who was ranked as the No. 1 power forward in this 2022 class.
North Carolina Tar Heels (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 29-10
- 2022 March Madness: No. 8 Seed – Championship Game – Lost to Kansas
The Tar Heels exceeded all expectations in last year’s Big Dance and will likely see at least a few of their starters coming back to Chapel Hill. We should also note that the Heels will be welcoming a trio of highly touted recruits this season with Seth Trimble being the most notable.
A bitter loss as a notable underdog in the championship game should only serve North Carolina well this season.
Kentucky Wildcats (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 26-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – First Round – Lost to St. Peters
There’s an excellent chance Kentucky’s leading scorer from last season, Oscar Tshiebwe, will be pounding the glass and filling the rim again this season for the Wildcats.
Tshiebwe was the leading rebounder in the nation, averaging 15.1 boards per game, and will bolster Kentucky’s chances if he decides to eschew the NBA for a chance to enhance his draft status with one more year of seasoning under his belt.
Factor in another key return in playmaker, Sahvir Wheeler, who was third in the nation in assists with 6.9 per game, while adding a pair of five-star recruits in Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace, and the Cats could be the team to beat.
Duke Blue Devils (+1200)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 2 Seed – Final Four – Lost to North Carolina
The Coach K era has come to a close and 34-year-old Jon Scheyer will attempt to fill shoes that are seemingly unfillable. Nevertheless, the Blue Devils have the top-rated recruiting class thus far, with four five-star recruits ready to make an impact at the next level.
The kids had better bring it because most of Duke’s offense will be making the jump to the next level.
Kansas Jayhawks (+1400)
- Last Year’s Record: 32-6
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Championship Game – Defeated North Carolina
The defending national champions will hope that their pair of five-star recruits, Gradey Dick and MJ Rice, along with four-star big man, Ernest Udeh Jr., he of the 7’2” wingspan, will provide enough sizzle in the Kansas lineup to supplant the exodus of talent from the roster. If anyone can get the most out of young talent, it’s Bill Self.
UCLA Bruins (+1400)
- Last Year’s Record: 27-8
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to North Carolina
Johnny Juzang and Peyton Watson will be entering the NBA Draft but Jaime Jaquez has wisely decided to return for another year in a Bruins uniform and will be the team’s on-court and off-court leader.
Combo guard Amari Bailey in the backcourt and big man Adem Bona in the paint are the two five-star recruits joining the roster this season and will be an added bonus for a team that has plenty of depth this year.
Arkansas Razorbacks (+1500)
- Last Year’s Record: 28-9
- 2022 March Madness: No. 4 Seed – Elite Eight – Lost to Duke
Head coach Eric Musselman has made a big difference since he arrived in Fayetteville, as evidenced by the Hogs’ back-to-back elite Eight appearances.
And this season should be another opportunity for his squad to make a deep run into the tournament as Musselman is the man responsible for constructing the best recruiting class in the program’s history with three five-star recruits in Nick Smith, Jordan Walsh, and Anthony Black competing for the Razorbacks this season.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1600)
- Last Year’s Record: 28-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Arkansas
For the second consecutive year, Gonzaga did everything right except win a national title. Last year they bowed to Baylor in the Championship Game and this year they were ousted in the Sweet 16 by Arkansas, despite being installed as 9 ½ point favorites. The Zags were not only the highest-scoring team in the nation, averaging over 87 points per game but also had the nation’s top point differential at a whooping +20.9.
But Gonzaga will lose several of their starters including seven-foot freshman, Chet Holmgren, this season. And while that may not preclude them from returning to their perennial perch atop the pedestrian West Coast Conference, it would not surprise us to see another ouster in the Sweet 16 this year.
The conventional wisdom is that the relatively low odds on this year’s edition of the Gonzaga Bulldogs is more a manifestation of them being a public team rather than any real threat of them challenging for a national title.
Baylor Bears (+1800)
- Last Year’s Record: 27-7
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Second Round – Lost to North Carolina
Freshmen Kendall Brown and Jeremy Sochan, along with graduating senior guard James Akinjo, will be headed to the NBA while guard Adam Flagler will explore the NBA Draft but keep his eligibility open.
Matthew Mayer has done the same but he has also added his name to the transfer portal. There will be quite a few changes and they will likely not be for the better in Waco this season.
Arizona Wildcats (+2000)
- Last Year’s Record: 33-4
- 2022 March Madness: No. 1 Seed – Sweet 16 – Lost to Houston
The Arizona Wildcats were an offensive juggernaut last season, averaging 84 points per game, trailing only Gonzaga and South Dakota State in that category. This year they wooed Serbian forward Filip Borovicanin and homegrown product, Dylan Anderson, into the fold.
But there’s not much of anything new going on in Tucson now that Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko have moved on to the next level. Furthermore, the Arizona draft class has been uninspiring, to say the least. Don’t expect the same frenetic scoring from the Wildcats this year that we saw last season.
Props and Bonuses
You can find a list of prop bets at all of the best U.S. licensed online sportsbooks found right here at OddsTrader. Online sportsbooks like BetMGM, Caesars, MaximBet, PointsBet, Bet365, Unibet, SugarHouse, BetRivers, SBK, FanDuel, and DraftKings all feature props and futures like conference winners, Final Four participants, and national champions, as well as offering generous signup bonuses.
Shop for Odds
If you want to compare the various NCAA Basketball odds then click on the link and you will see the point spreads, moneylines, and totals at all of the best books in the industry. Remember, it’s important to be able to compare and contrast lines at a glance so that you get the best odds for your betting buck.
NCAA Basketball Power Rankings
Getting keen insight into how each of the playoff teams stacks up is easy when you check out the OddsTrader NCAA Basketball Power Rankings page. Here you will see the average line, the power line suggested by OddsTrader’s AI algorithms, and the Bettor’s Edge which is the difference between the two.
NCAA Basketball Computer Picks
If you go to the OddsTrader NCAA Basketball Computer Picks section you can see what the OT algorithms project and how the results compare to those predictions.
College Basketball Betting FAQ’s
Question: Where can I bet on the 2023 NCAA Basketball National Championship?
Answer: The best online sportsbooks are the safest online sportsbooks, which are those licensed in jurisdictions where online sports betting is legal in the United States.
The top-rated books are BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, PointsBet, Bet365, Unibet, SugarHouse, BetRivers, SBK, MaximBet, and DraftKings. All offer a wide variety of NCAAM props, futures, and point spreads.
Question: What types of bets are popular with NCAA Basketball?
Answer: The most popular bet is the point spread bet where the underdog is getting points or the favorite is giving points. However, moneylines, where no point spread is involved have grown increasingly popular, as have over/under, or total bets, where bettors can wager over or under on the combined total of the two teams in that game.
Question: Do I have to bet a lot?
Answer: No, the minimum bet is as low as $1 and accounts can be funded with as little as $10 at many of the books across the nation.
