NCAAB Picks: UConn’s Chances for Three-Peat in 2024

There is plenty of competition for the Huskies, with the college basketball odds having UConn priced at +900 and Duke at +950 in the championship odds, followed by Alabama and Kansas at +1000.

The top four teams are in the same order in both national polls, with Kansas receiving 45 of the 91 first-place votes to earn the top spot. The Jayhawks are followed by Alabama, UConn and Houston. Duke is fifth in the coaches poll and seventh in the Associated Press poll.

Nine of the top 10 teams will be in action when the regular season begins on Monday. The most noteworthy matchup has No. 6 Gonzaga favored by 2½ points by the college basketball spreads over No. 8 Baylor in the Findlay Auto Tip-Off in Spokane, Wash.

Here’s a look at how the NCAA basketball futures odds stack up right now. Big-name programs are once again among the top title contenders.

5 Storylines To Follow For the 2024-25 NCAAB Season

1. Karaban and UConn Look To Make History

UCLA ruled men’s basketball in the late 1960s and early 1970s with 10 national titles in 12 seasons, including seven in a row from 1967 to 1973.

NCAA rules at the time prohibited freshmen from being eligible for varsity competition so no player has won more than three titles in a row.

UConn’s Alex Karaban, Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson have a chance to join the club of men’s Division I players with three NCAA championships.

Where’s our 2025 Champion ranked this year? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/kw9IWhT27S

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) October 28, 2024

Karaban is the only returning starter, with Stephon Castle, Donovan Clingan, Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer embarking on professional basketball careers.

Diarra and Johnson should have expanded roles, along with Solo Ball. Liam McNeeley tops the list of incoming freshmen, with transfers Aidan Mahaney and Tarris Reed also ready to make an immediate impact.

UConn wasn’t picked first in either national poll, but the BetUS Sportsbook odds list the Huskies as the favorite as the season gets underway.

2. Flagg, Duke Look To Return to the Top

Duke lost its top four scorers from a season ago, but the addition of freshman Cooper Flagg pushed the Blue Devils into the role of title contender in the March Madness odds.

Flagg comes into the season with as much buzz as any freshman in recent memory. He received rave reviews for his play against the U.S. Olympic team in scrimmages over the summer and earned a spot on The Associated Press preseason All-American team.

COOP &1 @Cooper_Flagg pic.twitter.com/P9pCUnbjuf

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) October 28, 2024

He is one of six freshmen on the Duke roster. Syracuse transfer Maliq Brown and Rice transfer Cameron Sheffield join returnees Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster on a Duke team that is priced at +180 to make the Final Four.

Duke will be tested early with November matchups with Kentucky, Arizona and Kansas.

3. Alabama and Kansas Will Be In the Mix

Kansas signed an elite transfer once again, with former Wisconsin guard AJ Storr joining Hunter Dickinson to lead the Jayhawks. K.J. Adams is headed into his third season as a starter, while Alabama transfer Rylen Griffen is another key piece for a Kansas team at +1000 in the odds to win March Madness.

Speaking of Alabama, high-scoring guard Mark Sears is back, and he is among the players with the shortest odds of winning the Wooden Award.

Grant Nelson also returns, while former Rutgers star Clifford Omoruyi could become one of the most productive big men in the SEC. Alabama joins Kansas at +1000 in the championship odds.

4. Can The Cougars Take the Next Step?

Houston has won 11 NCAA tournament games in the last four seasons, including a run to the 2021 Final Four. Are the Cougars ready to add to that total this season?

Houston needs to replace guard Jamal Shead, but led by LJ Cryer, many of the top players are back, as the NCAA basketball odds have the Cougars at +1200 to win the national title and +250 to reach the Final Four.

Iowa State (+1600), Gonzaga (+1800), North Carolina (+2000), Auburn (+2400) and Arizona (+2500) are a little further back in the championship odds.

North Carolina guard RJ Davis, Johni Broome of Auburn and Arizona’s Caleb Love were all named to the Associated Press first-team All-American squad.

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5. Time For Calipari and Pitino To Work Their Magic

It can be dangerous to bet against proven winners, which is why Arkansas is at +3000 in John Calipari’s first season with the Razorbacks and Rick Pitino’s St. John’s team has +4500 championship odds in his second season at the helm. The two former Kentucky head coaches are looking to make NCAA basketball news by taking their new teams to the Final Four.

Calipari’s first season at Arkansas will include transfers Johnell Davis from Florida Atlantic and Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee, as well as Adou Thiero, DJ Wagner and Zvonimir Ivisic following Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas.

Purdue, fresh off a run to the national title game, won’t have national player of the year Zach Edey to throw the ball to in the upcoming season. The Boilermakers are also at +4000.

Pitino landed former Seton Hall star Kadary Richmond, the No. 1-rated transfer according to the 247sports.com database. North Texas forward Aaron Scott and Utah guard Deivon Smith are other transfers to keep an eye on.

Questions of the Day

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.