College Basketball National Championship Futures Breakdown
Photo Credit: Visit Phoenix
College Basketball Season Record: 130-114-9 — Betting 1 Unit to Win X
I thought this would be the perfect time to go over our futures in detail. We are getting closer to February, another step closer to March Madness. I will go over each team future we have and the thought behind them and their status as of today. At the very bottom you will see the dates we made the play. Ok, let’s jump into it!
I do believe UCONN is the front runner right now to win the National Championship. The other teams I feel like that have a great chance that we DO NOT have tickets on are: Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee and Houston. I really do think a team from the Big 12 will win the National Championship if none of these SEC schools win.
In my opinion, Purdue will not win but they always have a chance when they are gifted 50 FTs a game. Duke is too weak and will not beat a tough Big East, SEC or Big 12 team. Big 10 has nothing but pretenders. Arizona is also a very soft team that wants nothing to do with the SEC or Big 12.
If there is a mid-major Cinderella it will come from the American Conference, Mountain West or it’ll be the Princeton Tigers.
Arkansas Razorbacks 25/1
This play is all but dead in my opinion, which I have talked about before on our TikTok videos. This wager was made before the season. I thought with Brazile healthy and the Razorbacks adding a fantastic point guard in sophomore Keyon Minefield, Arkansas would be improved from last season. They also brought in El Ellis from Louisville. This Razorbacks team has underachieved massively with the talent they have. Par for the course with Eric Musselman at the helm. I called for changes after the performance against Auburn. They have been blown out against almost every SEC opponent with one win by a buzzer beater against Texas A&M. Miracles happen but Arkansas would need to win the SEC tournament to get a bid to the dance.
UCLA Bruins 30/1
The Bruins were added on after I watched their first game of the Maui Invitational where they went toe-to-toe with Marquette in a game they should have won. They have wings that can shoot the ball. I was so impressed with their freshman point guard Sebastian Mack and big man Adem Bona. They looked like they would be serious contenders. They have not played like a team this season aside from a couple of games. They are a very young team and it shows. UCLA might have a good team if every comes back next year but that’s too late for this ticket.
North Carolina Tar Heels 30/1 x2, 16/1 & 14/1
I really liked this team with their veterans RJ Davis and Armando Bacott coming into the season. Then, I found out they picked up Harrison Ingram from Stanford who was a McDonald’s All-American. With standout freshman Elliot Cadeau coming along with help from the other role players this Carolina team is one of the best in the country. They lost to UCONN and Kentucky but I feel if they rematched the Tar Heels would be victorious the second time around. They have rebounding, great defense and a very capable offense. Hubert Davis has a much better feel for his rotations now as well. This will be a very dangerous team in March. They should also be able to pull a #1 seed barring any meltdown.
USC Trojans 35/1
I really liked USC’s roster coming into the season with standout freshman Isaiah Collier coming in. They returned Boogie Ellies, Vince the Prince, picked up DJ Rodman and if Bronny James could be a three and d player the Trojans may have a strong squad. After watching them, the effort was there at the beginning but they were too sloppy. Collier continued to foul out and would turnover the ball constantly. This roster, like Arkansas, is underperforming. They have all the talent in the world but there is no chemistry. USC another team that will need to win the Pac 12 tournament to punch a ticket to the big dance.
Florida Atlantic Owls 40/1 x2
This FAU team is about the same as it was last year with the exception of a couple players. They have great guard play, which is massive in March. Vlad Goldin in the post is also one of the best in the country. The problem is, if he gets into foul trouble FAU tends to struggle. The Owls have taken down the Arizona Wildcats but have been a bit lazy it feels like in conference play. FAU is well coached, they have a big man, they play defense and can shoot the three. They have every ingredient a team needs for the NCAA Tournament. They won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year.
Texas Longhorns 40/1, 55/1 & 90/1
At the beginning of the season I thought the Longhorns would be a strong team especially on the defensive side of the ball. I liked the fight they showed against UCONN in a losing effort on a neutral court. Texas then got into Big 12 conference play where they struggled mightily to start off. Texas loss their first two home games in terrible fashion to Texas Tech and UCF. After the UCF game Rodney Terry threw a hissy fit about the opponent flashing the Horns Down to the fans. Since that debacle, Texas has taken down Baylor and then Oklahoma on the Road. Texas showed great offense against Baylor but no defense. Against Oklahoma, Texas played incredible on the defensive side of the ball as well as tough in the rebounding department. If the Longhorn team that played against Oklahoma plays in the NCAA Tournament they will be live. At 90/1 I added on again. Chenall Weaver is getting more playing time and he is a great wing defender. This will allow him more playing time to help out Brock Cunningham so he does not play so many minutes where he might get exposed on the offensive side of the ball. Rodney Terry is starting to get a better feel with his rotations by starting Dylan Disu at center and bringing the injury prone Shedrick off the bench. I feel like after Texas was embarrassed by UCF, they are a new, tougher team. The Big 12 in a battle every game so we’ll see if they can keep it up.
Baylor Bears 40/1 & 30/1
Baylor had one of the best freshman in the country joining its team so I liked them before the season started. My problem with Baylor this year is they don’t play as strong of defense as they have in years past. The have plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball. It’s the defense and rebounding that worries me. I like our position here and will probably not add more.
Texas A&M Aggies 55/1
This was a preseason add for us due to them returning their whole team from last season. They love to play defense and rebound the basketball. The have dealt with some injuries early this season as well. A few things have factored into why I have not added them on multiple times, which I thought I was going to be doing. They are not as tough as they were last season. They do not shoot 95% from the FT line like they did last year. Boots Radford has been missing in action for the majority of the season. Wade Taylor IV has to carry this team every night and he has been incredible but it’s just not enough. This Aggies team has taken a step back. They are a tournament team but with teams like Ole Miss, LSU, Florida, MSU and Georgia joining the party there are no guarantees.
Oregon Ducks 75/1 & 100/1
Oregon got off to a very slow start, which was due to some very unfortunate injuries. Especially to their talented center N’Faly Dante. The Ducks have both experienced players and very good young players. With the Ducks rebounding they can compete with any team in the country. They still need to finish the Pac 12 season strong to insure they punch their ticket. I am a huge fan of Dana Altman and once he gets into the tournament with a fast, defensive and rebounding team, watch out. These numbers are totally wrong on Oregon.
St. John’s Red Storm 75/1
This was our preseason play mostly due to a homer play as I am a big Johnnies and Rick Pitino fan. It took awhile but the Red Storm finally found some offense at the start of conference play. They have lost some close games and their number is in the triple digits now or close to it. The Johnnies are a very up and down team but feel like they have found their way. Can they beat Houston? Another Big 12 team in the tournament? I’m not too sure and that is why I have not added at least one more.
Mississippi State Bulldogs 150/1
We jumped on Mississippi State after they destroyed Northwestern. We posted about betting them and the number immediately went to 80/1 then 60/1. I knew they were going to have a very tough and strong defense but it was the offense that worried me. Conference play started and I have not been impressed unfortunately. MSU has time but it will be a tough hill to climb just to get into the tournament.
Oklahoma Sooners 150/1 x2 & 60/1
We took a MASSIVE position on the Oklahoma Sooners. There is a long way to go but Oklahoma has the coaching, toughness, defense and rebounding to win the NCAA Tournament. OU has struggled a bit in conference play but it’s normal in the Big 12. Oklahoma will need to improve offensively to be successful in March. They tend to go cold or struggle to find easy buckets. I don’t think this team peaked too early. They just need to use conference play against tough competition to figure out their offense. I like this position still but I am now fearing they may end up with an 8 seed instead of a 5.
Kansas State Wildcats 75/1 & 125/1
I really like this Jerome Tang squad. They lost their center but seem to finally gelling nicely. K-State is a veteran, defensive team that can shoot the three. They also have issues scoring in a pinch but they always seem to hit a three when they need one. Jerome Tang’s teams play great on the road and his K-State squads have never lost in OT (knock on wood). If Kansas State gets in, nobody will want to see this team. These numbers are preposterous if the team is a full health, which they currently are. Arthur Kaluma, Cam Carter and Tylor Perry are very underrated. K-State was a bad bounce away from the Final Four last year.
UCF Knights 250/1
This is a lotto play but it also has great potential in my opinion. UCF plays great defense using their length and size. They are also one of the best rebounding teams in the country. They are relentless on the boards! This UCF team reminds me of the early Houston teams. Great defense, rebounding and just enough offense to beat teams. Their defense also creates offense, which helps them. The Knights also have a good coach with Johnny Dawkins. This is a massive number that I would not mind playing again but they need to just punch their ticket.
2023-24 Futures Bets
[11/06/23 - preseason - via DK]
Arkansas Razorbacks 25/1
USC Trojans 35/1
Florida Atlantic Owls 40/1
Texas Longhorns 40/1
Baylor Bears 40/1
Texas A&M Aggies 55/1
Oregon Ducks 75/1
St. Johns Redmen 85/1
[11/20/23 - via DK]
UCLA Bruins 30/1
Mississippi State Bulldogs 150/1
[11/27/23 - via DK]
Oklahoma Sooners 150/1
[12/5/23] - via DK]
North Carolina Tar Heels 30/1
Florida Atlantic Owls 40/1
Texas Longhorns 55/1
Oklahoma Sooners 150/1
[12/16/23 - via DK]
North Carolina Tar Heels 30/1
Oklahoma Sooners 60/1
[1/17/24 - via DK]
North Carolina Tar Heels 16/1
Baylor Bears 30/1
Kansas State Wildcats 75/1
Oregon Ducks 100/1
UCF 250/1
[1/24/24 - via Circa Sports]
North Carolina 14/1
Texas Longhorns 90/1
Kansas State Wildcats 125/1
