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https://247sports.com/college/baylor/LongFormArticle/college-basketball-2019-20-national-title-odds-132739381/
Best odds to win the 2019-20 national championship
By KEVIN FLAHERTY
Finding a great bet to win college basketball's national title is tough.
For one thing, the best team in college basketball rarely wins the national title. So even in years where it seems like a team is head-and-shoulders above the competition, there's certainly no guarantee said team will cut down the nets. And the team that does wind up winning typically does so with tremendous (and balanced) efficiency only one team since 2001-02 has won a national title without a top 25 offense, and none without a top 40 defense and at least a bit of luck. Just ask 2008 Kansas or 2019 Virginiaboth teams rank among the best among the last 20 or so years, according to KenPom, and yet both required more than a little fortune to get to net-cutting time.
For some betting sites, just getting close is enough; bettors can pick a team that makes a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, then offload that team for profit (but not the full winning margin) before the pick loses. But we aren't looking here for teams that are making deep runs; these are the Westgate LV Superbook odds to win it all, so we've tried to point out which teams represent interesting (read: worth considering) odds and which ones you're better off cutting loose.
So which teams have the best odds to win it all?
INTERESTING LONG SHOTS
(Photo: John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)
Remember, this is to win the national title, so a team with 100/1 odds that projects to be pretty good, but doesn't have elite upside is, to put it bluntly, a waste of time. Just outside the 50/1 threshold sits Houston and Purdue at 60/1 apiece. Houston should be dynamic once again and could be in a position to make a run to top last year's Sweet 16 run. Purdue is harder to project without Carsen Edwards returning, though there's some potential star power blooming and Matt Painter has coached a top 25 offense, per KenPom, in each of the last four seasons. At 80/1 there's some real intrigue with an LSU team that should slide Javonte Smart into the point guard spot next to some excellent athletes and 247Sports Composite five-star Trendon Watford. VCU needs to take a HUGE step forward from a shooting and offensive standpoint, but returns just about everything from an elite defensive team that made the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed. If Washington can get steady point guard play and much needed outside shooting from Kentucky transfer Quade Green, then Washington could go a long way as a zone team (how many time have we seen Syracuse shoot past expectations) that just added two of the top 10 players in the 247Sports Composite in Jaden McDaniels and Isaiah Stewart.
Arizona State and West Virginia have 100/1 odds and aren't especially likely, but have potential. West Virginia in particular could dominate the glass with the Derek Culver-Oscar Tshiebwe combo, needing the backcourt to come along just a bit.
And for some of the longest odds worth considering, check out Utah State. No seriously. The Aggies look like a top 25, if not top 15 type team after going 28-7 this year, and bring back All-America candidate Sam Merrill, potential NBA prospect Neemias Queta, a 6-foot-11 center, and two other starters. Being able to get a possible top 15 team at 200/1 odds is at least worthy of a longer look.
MICHIGAN, BAYLOR 50/1
(Photo: Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports)
This may seem blunt, but people who want to spend money on Michigan at 50/1 either don't mind betting on a lot of unknowns or they aren't particularly attached to their money. There really isn't any other way to put it after Michigan lost three starters (including potential 2019-20 starpower) and beloved coach John Beilein. And while Juwan Howard could turn out to be a terrific coach in Ann Arbor, nobody even knows what he's going to run, much less how he's going to run it. Baylor makes for a 50/1 with a bit more intrigue; the Bears had injury issues a year ago that forced the maturation of some players that will provide benefits this year. With Jared Butler, Mario Kegler and Tristan Clark and some transfer talent, this could be one of Scott Drew's best teams.
TENNESSEE, AUBURN, FLORIDA, SETON HALL 40/1
(Photo: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)
When Lamonte Turner goes off, the Tennessee guard is capable of filling it up in a hurry. And that's a great trait to have in a backcourt that could surprise, even without Jordan Bone. If the frontcourt comes together, Tennessee could be interesting, but 40/1 is probably a bit too rich. Bruce Pearl's system worked well in March, and Anfernee McLemore and Austin Wiley is a nice frontcourt to build around. The Tigers would be helped greatly if J'Von McCormick plays like he did in March and Samir Doughty steps up. Seton Hall may have the most upside as it stands right now, with Myles Powell among four returning starters. Powell was one of the nation's best players the last month or so of the season, and could carry the Pirates far in March. But all that changes should Florida find a way to land coveted Virginia Tech graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr., completing a roster that may only be a strong big man from a top five or top 10 team.
ARIZONA 30/1
(Photo: Courtesy of McDonald's)
Detractors will point out that Sean Miller's lack of a Final Four appearance, and how some of the off-court news could serve as a distraction. But 1) there isn't really anything truly tying that to Miller at this point and 2) sometimes that kind of stuff can bring a team together. Either way, Miller could have two 2020 lottery picks on his team in point guard Nico Mannion and wing Josh Green. Don't sleep on Zeke Nnaji either, while UC Irvine transfer Max Hazzard adds some experience to go with returning guard Brandon Williams. With Chase Jeter likely to pair with Nnaji, Arizona won't be shy on talent.
TEXAS TECH, MARYLAND, OHIO STATE 25/1
(Photo: Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports)
Now things are really getting interesting. Each of those three teams could be top 10 squads, so it's really just a matter of preference. Texas Tech's Chris Beard is largely starting over after having to hit reset on his roster that reached the national title game, but Davide Moretti, Kyler Edwards and Deshawn Corprew were all key pieces, and a strong recruiting class joins a terrific graduate transfer crop. Maryland brings back Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith, along with a wing group that could be stellar. And the Terrapins' Big Ten rival Ohio State could battle with Maryland for the Big Ten's second-best team with DJ Carton, the No. 4 point guard in the 247Sports Composite, heading to Columbus to join up with an experienced roster that brings back three starters.
VIRGINIA, GONZAGA, LOUISVILLE, OREGON 20/1
(Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports)
There's plenty to unpack here. Gonzaga might be a risky bet at 20/1 just because the Bulldogs don't figure to be as good as they were this year, when they failed to reach the Final Four. And picking Gonzaga to go a long way likely means picking Killian Tillie to remain healthy, something he still has to display. Oregon just received a boost with Anthony Mathis, a slick shooting graduate transfer from New Mexico, picking the Ducks to pair with Payton Pritchard. Virginia should be elite defensively yet again, as the Cavaliers always are under Tony Bennett, while the Braxton Key-Mamadi Diakite-Jay Huff triumverate looks pretty salty with Kihei Clark pulling the strings at point guard. But maybe the best value, not just here but anywhere, is Louisville at 20/1. Most are picking the Cardinals as a top 5ish team, so to get the Cardinals tied for the eighth-best odds with three other teams seems a bit of a steal.
NORTH CAROLINA, VILLANOVA 16/1
(Photo: Jim Hawkins/Inside Carolina)
Two almost polar opposites in (at least perceived) strengths and weaknesses. Guard play is huge in March, and in Cole Anthony, North Carolina has arguably the highest-potential point guard in college hoops, somebody who can take over a game in key situations. But experience at least playing together is a major concern in Chapel Hill, where just one of the Tar Heels' top six players returns. At the same time, Villanova doesn't appear as strong at point guard as the Tar Heels (or as strong as 'Nova has been when the Wildcats have won the title), but plenty of returning experience gives Jay Wright a nice backbone to build from. With 247Sports Composite five-star freshmen Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Bryan Antoine coming in, Villanova won't be shy on talent, either. Both teams could make a Final Four, meaning there's some value to either squad at 16/1.
KANSAS, MEMPHIS 12/1
(Photo: Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports)
This could be a bit high for Memphis, particularly after the Tigers lost committed graduate transfer Rayjon Tucker to the NBA. Don't get it twisted: Memphis has as much raw talent as anybody in the country, thanks to the No. 1 recruiting class and the No. 1 overall player in James Wiseman in the 247Sports Composite. Precious Achiuwa is another potential lottery pick. And Boogie Ellis and Lester Quinones could make Memphis even more deadly in 2020-21 as they develop as a backcourt. But 1) there's an apparent lack of outside shooting and 2) a definite lack of established production, both things Tucker would have helped with. Kansas too, could suffer from missing outside shooting, but in Big 12 Player of the Year candidates Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike and surrounding talent like Silvio De Sousa, Marcus Garrett and Ochai Agbaji, the Jayhawks have some players who have performed at a high level before.
KENTUCKY, DUKE 10/1
(Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
Both schools dropped slightly from where they were to open, with Kentucky leading everyone with 7/1 odds initially and Duke tying for the second-best odds at 8/1. But both will be popular bets; not only are both teams pretty packed with talent, but both have coaches who have proven they can get it done in March. Duke won't have as much ability as last year's Zion Williamson-RJ Barrett-Cam Reddish team, but may be more balanced, with Tre Jones returning to distribute to what could be four freshman starters and one of the nation's most talented frontcourts in Matthew Hurt and Vernon Carey Jr., both 247Sports Composite five-stars. Kentucky is a fairly consensus No. 2 team nationally, thanks to both returning production Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards and EJ Montgomery and incoming stars like Tyrese Maxey and Kahlil Whitney as part of the No. 2 class in the 247Sports Composite.
MICHIGAN STATE 6/1
(Photo: Jamie Schwaberow, Getty)
Michigan State managed to do the near impossible: essentially stand still and improve its national title odds in the process. The Spartans lost Nick Ward to an early entry to the NBA Draft, but were able to return any other question marks, most notably preseason National Player of the Year candidate Cassius Winston. Winston made everybody around him better on the way to the Final Four, and his return to East Lansing helped up Michigan State's title odds from 8/1 to 6/1. Of course, Winston is far from a one-man show, and with pieces like Xavier Tillman returning, Joshua Langford getting healthy and the development of players like Aaron Henry, the Spartans look pretty complete.
https://247sports.com/college/baylor/LongFormArticle/college-basketball-2019-20-national-title-odds-132739381/
Best odds to win the 2019-20 national championship
By KEVIN FLAHERTY
Finding a great bet to win college basketball's national title is tough.
For one thing, the best team in college basketball rarely wins the national title. So even in years where it seems like a team is head-and-shoulders above the competition, there's certainly no guarantee said team will cut down the nets. And the team that does wind up winning typically does so with tremendous (and balanced) efficiency only one team since 2001-02 has won a national title without a top 25 offense, and none without a top 40 defense and at least a bit of luck. Just ask 2008 Kansas or 2019 Virginiaboth teams rank among the best among the last 20 or so years, according to KenPom, and yet both required more than a little fortune to get to net-cutting time.
For some betting sites, just getting close is enough; bettors can pick a team that makes a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, then offload that team for profit (but not the full winning margin) before the pick loses. But we aren't looking here for teams that are making deep runs; these are the Westgate LV Superbook odds to win it all, so we've tried to point out which teams represent interesting (read: worth considering) odds and which ones you're better off cutting loose.
So which teams have the best odds to win it all?
INTERESTING LONG SHOTS
(Photo: John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)
Remember, this is to win the national title, so a team with 100/1 odds that projects to be pretty good, but doesn't have elite upside is, to put it bluntly, a waste of time. Just outside the 50/1 threshold sits Houston and Purdue at 60/1 apiece. Houston should be dynamic once again and could be in a position to make a run to top last year's Sweet 16 run. Purdue is harder to project without Carsen Edwards returning, though there's some potential star power blooming and Matt Painter has coached a top 25 offense, per KenPom, in each of the last four seasons. At 80/1 there's some real intrigue with an LSU team that should slide Javonte Smart into the point guard spot next to some excellent athletes and 247Sports Composite five-star Trendon Watford. VCU needs to take a HUGE step forward from a shooting and offensive standpoint, but returns just about everything from an elite defensive team that made the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed. If Washington can get steady point guard play and much needed outside shooting from Kentucky transfer Quade Green, then Washington could go a long way as a zone team (how many time have we seen Syracuse shoot past expectations) that just added two of the top 10 players in the 247Sports Composite in Jaden McDaniels and Isaiah Stewart.
Arizona State and West Virginia have 100/1 odds and aren't especially likely, but have potential. West Virginia in particular could dominate the glass with the Derek Culver-Oscar Tshiebwe combo, needing the backcourt to come along just a bit.
And for some of the longest odds worth considering, check out Utah State. No seriously. The Aggies look like a top 25, if not top 15 type team after going 28-7 this year, and bring back All-America candidate Sam Merrill, potential NBA prospect Neemias Queta, a 6-foot-11 center, and two other starters. Being able to get a possible top 15 team at 200/1 odds is at least worthy of a longer look.
MICHIGAN, BAYLOR 50/1
(Photo: Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports)
This may seem blunt, but people who want to spend money on Michigan at 50/1 either don't mind betting on a lot of unknowns or they aren't particularly attached to their money. There really isn't any other way to put it after Michigan lost three starters (including potential 2019-20 starpower) and beloved coach John Beilein. And while Juwan Howard could turn out to be a terrific coach in Ann Arbor, nobody even knows what he's going to run, much less how he's going to run it. Baylor makes for a 50/1 with a bit more intrigue; the Bears had injury issues a year ago that forced the maturation of some players that will provide benefits this year. With Jared Butler, Mario Kegler and Tristan Clark and some transfer talent, this could be one of Scott Drew's best teams.
TENNESSEE, AUBURN, FLORIDA, SETON HALL 40/1
(Photo: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)
When Lamonte Turner goes off, the Tennessee guard is capable of filling it up in a hurry. And that's a great trait to have in a backcourt that could surprise, even without Jordan Bone. If the frontcourt comes together, Tennessee could be interesting, but 40/1 is probably a bit too rich. Bruce Pearl's system worked well in March, and Anfernee McLemore and Austin Wiley is a nice frontcourt to build around. The Tigers would be helped greatly if J'Von McCormick plays like he did in March and Samir Doughty steps up. Seton Hall may have the most upside as it stands right now, with Myles Powell among four returning starters. Powell was one of the nation's best players the last month or so of the season, and could carry the Pirates far in March. But all that changes should Florida find a way to land coveted Virginia Tech graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr., completing a roster that may only be a strong big man from a top five or top 10 team.
ARIZONA 30/1
(Photo: Courtesy of McDonald's)
Detractors will point out that Sean Miller's lack of a Final Four appearance, and how some of the off-court news could serve as a distraction. But 1) there isn't really anything truly tying that to Miller at this point and 2) sometimes that kind of stuff can bring a team together. Either way, Miller could have two 2020 lottery picks on his team in point guard Nico Mannion and wing Josh Green. Don't sleep on Zeke Nnaji either, while UC Irvine transfer Max Hazzard adds some experience to go with returning guard Brandon Williams. With Chase Jeter likely to pair with Nnaji, Arizona won't be shy on talent.
TEXAS TECH, MARYLAND, OHIO STATE 25/1
(Photo: Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports)
Now things are really getting interesting. Each of those three teams could be top 10 squads, so it's really just a matter of preference. Texas Tech's Chris Beard is largely starting over after having to hit reset on his roster that reached the national title game, but Davide Moretti, Kyler Edwards and Deshawn Corprew were all key pieces, and a strong recruiting class joins a terrific graduate transfer crop. Maryland brings back Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith, along with a wing group that could be stellar. And the Terrapins' Big Ten rival Ohio State could battle with Maryland for the Big Ten's second-best team with DJ Carton, the No. 4 point guard in the 247Sports Composite, heading to Columbus to join up with an experienced roster that brings back three starters.
VIRGINIA, GONZAGA, LOUISVILLE, OREGON 20/1
(Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports)
There's plenty to unpack here. Gonzaga might be a risky bet at 20/1 just because the Bulldogs don't figure to be as good as they were this year, when they failed to reach the Final Four. And picking Gonzaga to go a long way likely means picking Killian Tillie to remain healthy, something he still has to display. Oregon just received a boost with Anthony Mathis, a slick shooting graduate transfer from New Mexico, picking the Ducks to pair with Payton Pritchard. Virginia should be elite defensively yet again, as the Cavaliers always are under Tony Bennett, while the Braxton Key-Mamadi Diakite-Jay Huff triumverate looks pretty salty with Kihei Clark pulling the strings at point guard. But maybe the best value, not just here but anywhere, is Louisville at 20/1. Most are picking the Cardinals as a top 5ish team, so to get the Cardinals tied for the eighth-best odds with three other teams seems a bit of a steal.
NORTH CAROLINA, VILLANOVA 16/1
(Photo: Jim Hawkins/Inside Carolina)
Two almost polar opposites in (at least perceived) strengths and weaknesses. Guard play is huge in March, and in Cole Anthony, North Carolina has arguably the highest-potential point guard in college hoops, somebody who can take over a game in key situations. But experience at least playing together is a major concern in Chapel Hill, where just one of the Tar Heels' top six players returns. At the same time, Villanova doesn't appear as strong at point guard as the Tar Heels (or as strong as 'Nova has been when the Wildcats have won the title), but plenty of returning experience gives Jay Wright a nice backbone to build from. With 247Sports Composite five-star freshmen Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Bryan Antoine coming in, Villanova won't be shy on talent, either. Both teams could make a Final Four, meaning there's some value to either squad at 16/1.
KANSAS, MEMPHIS 12/1
(Photo: Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports)
This could be a bit high for Memphis, particularly after the Tigers lost committed graduate transfer Rayjon Tucker to the NBA. Don't get it twisted: Memphis has as much raw talent as anybody in the country, thanks to the No. 1 recruiting class and the No. 1 overall player in James Wiseman in the 247Sports Composite. Precious Achiuwa is another potential lottery pick. And Boogie Ellis and Lester Quinones could make Memphis even more deadly in 2020-21 as they develop as a backcourt. But 1) there's an apparent lack of outside shooting and 2) a definite lack of established production, both things Tucker would have helped with. Kansas too, could suffer from missing outside shooting, but in Big 12 Player of the Year candidates Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike and surrounding talent like Silvio De Sousa, Marcus Garrett and Ochai Agbaji, the Jayhawks have some players who have performed at a high level before.
KENTUCKY, DUKE 10/1
(Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
Both schools dropped slightly from where they were to open, with Kentucky leading everyone with 7/1 odds initially and Duke tying for the second-best odds at 8/1. But both will be popular bets; not only are both teams pretty packed with talent, but both have coaches who have proven they can get it done in March. Duke won't have as much ability as last year's Zion Williamson-RJ Barrett-Cam Reddish team, but may be more balanced, with Tre Jones returning to distribute to what could be four freshman starters and one of the nation's most talented frontcourts in Matthew Hurt and Vernon Carey Jr., both 247Sports Composite five-stars. Kentucky is a fairly consensus No. 2 team nationally, thanks to both returning production Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards and EJ Montgomery and incoming stars like Tyrese Maxey and Kahlil Whitney as part of the No. 2 class in the 247Sports Composite.
MICHIGAN STATE 6/1
(Photo: Jamie Schwaberow, Getty)
Michigan State managed to do the near impossible: essentially stand still and improve its national title odds in the process. The Spartans lost Nick Ward to an early entry to the NBA Draft, but were able to return any other question marks, most notably preseason National Player of the Year candidate Cassius Winston. Winston made everybody around him better on the way to the Final Four, and his return to East Lansing helped up Michigan State's title odds from 8/1 to 6/1. Of course, Winston is far from a one-man show, and with pieces like Xavier Tillman returning, Joshua Langford getting healthy and the development of players like Aaron Henry, the Spartans look pretty complete.