College basketball is still on the horizon, but we have enough information now to make predictions regarding the season. Transfers are starting school at new universities, and some teams are even scrimmaging against national teams to show how good they can be on the big stage.
In college hoops, it is incredibly hard to project a winner. Even some of the best teams in history have failed to win titles due to the craziness of the NCAA Tournament. Heavy favorites get upset in the postseason, and one loss ends a team’s title hopes.
Because of the risk involved, you might as well look for value with these NCAAB picks. With that in mind, these five teams have NCAAB odds above (+1000) and can still win the title this year.
We’ll look at why each team has value along with the questions surrounding them. We’ll include the best sportsbooks that give you the best value for each team while we look ahead to the upcoming college basketball season.
Alabama Crimson Tide
- +4000 at Bovada
This is great value for a team that will have a lot to play for this season. Alabama has made the NCAA Tournament in two straight years with Nate Oats in charge, but this team has more potential at the beginning of the season for many reasons.
Oats has won the recruiting trail and transfer portal in recent years. Brandon Miller will be one of the best freshmen in college basketball, and he could be a lottery pick next season. He has dominated for the Tide in international play, and this level of play will help Alabama compete in the SEC.
Last year was a rebuilding year for the Tide after losing Herb Jones and other key starters. This season, Alabama brings back Darius Miles and Jahvon Quinerly. As long as the team can find consistent perimeter shooting, this squad should be dominant.
NCAAB Pick: Alabama to Win the National Championship (+4000) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
Arkansas Razorbacks
- +1800 at BetOnline
Arkansas is another SEC team looking to dominate in postseason play this year, and the Razorbacks have plenty of reasons to be excited.
Arkansas has made deep NCAA Tournament runs in recent years, and that experience will help them this season. Even without key players from recent teams, Arkansas has depth and postseason experience. With another great recruiting class, Arkansas should be a competitive team in the SEC.
When you look for value, you want to find a team with proven talent in the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas has that, and they retain the coach who led them on multiple runs.
Things are looking up for the Razorbacks, so don’t be surprised if they end up with a title at the end of the season.
NCAAB Pick: Arkansas to Win the National Championship (+1800) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Kansas Jayhawks
- +1400 at BetOnline
The value of this bet shifts depending on your sportsbook, but multiple sites have the line listed at +1400 right now. With how things are shaping up in the Big 12, that is great value.
Bill Self is now the best coach in college basketball. That alone should make the Jayhawks competitive, but they bring back some key stars from a title run and add more talent in the offseason.
Kansas will always be a competitive team, but this roster should be exciting once again. I realize how hard it is to win a national championship in consecutive years, but probability has no memory. This team has a good shot of winning the title this year, and this value is solid.
NCAAB Pick: Kansas to Win the National Championship (+1400) at BetOnline
Duke Blue Devils
- +1600 at BetOnline
In another season, Duke will have one of the best freshman classes in the country. Even without Coach K, players want to join one of the largest basketball programs in the country and compete for titles.
Duke will be an interesting team to watch this year with a new head coach, but things should still be solid for the program.
Other teams have seen a little decline after replacing elite coaches due to the strong culture and internal promotions of the schools. We will likely see that with the Blue Devils.
NCAAB Pick: Duke to Win the National Championship (+1600) at BetOnline
Michigan Wolverines
- +4000 at BetOnline
Like Arkansas, Michigan finds a way to compete well in the postseason. That alone is going to give this bet value. They keep reaching the Sweet 16, and that many throws at the dartboard will eventually lead to a bullseye.
Michigan has a great coach who can motivate players to step up in big moments, and that has to count for something. If you want another team to take a flyer on, this is a solid choice.
NCAAB Pick: Michigan to Win the National Championship (+4000) at BetOnline
Final Thoughts
Obviously, teams with better betting odds will have more going for them. However, the value of these picks can’t be forgotten as we approach the college basketball season.
If any of these squads have a hot start, the value will decline rapidly.
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