As one season closes, another is set to start in just a mere six months and it is never too early to place a futures bet on who you believe are the team cutting down the nets at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta next April. The Virginia Cavaliers claimed the 2019 title, their first in school history, however they sit on the oddsboard, two spots behind the Kentucky Wildcats, who would be the +500 favorite.
BetOnline has Kentucky as the favorite to win the 2020 school hoops championship at +500 followed by Duke at +600, Virginia at +650, Michigan State in +800, and Michigan and North Carolina in +1200 to round out the leading teams around the oddsboard.
Tread Gently with Kentucky
Kentucky had a powerful 2018-19 campaign, placing together a 30-7 record en route to an Elite Eight berth before falling to Auburn in overtime. Undoubtedly head coach John Calipari will have the Wildcats playing at a high degree, but he will need to enter the season with rather a different appearance. Four of Kentucky’s starting five will be very likely to graduate or be drafted in the NBA since Reid Travis is a senior and P.J. Washington, Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro will probably be going pro.
All isn’t lost, though, as the Wildcats have already done a great job recruiting for the upcoming season, procuring two 2019 McDonald’s All-Americans, shooting guard Tyrese Maxey and small forward Khalil Whitney. I expect sophomores Immanuel Quickley and E.J. Montgomery to lead the fee and will work well with the incoming freshmen. With their new appearance, I’d be hesitant to put a wager on this bar in +500 at this point.
Kansas May be Well-Balanced and Experienced
Kansas had a very intriguing 2018-19, showing flashes of brilliance along with being ranked in the top five in the AP survey for eight months, including two weeks in the top place. Overall, the Jayhawks finished the year with a 26-10 record, falling to Auburn from the Round of 32. Kansas was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team as it came to house and away splits, going a perfect 16-0 in Allen Fieldhouse but just 3-8 in true road games — quite confusing results.
The Jayhawks had to battle through injuries, losing guard Lagerald Vick for the season in early February. He is a senior and will not be back . Additionally, junior centre Udoka Azubuike played just nine games in 2018-19. But Kansas, despite those big holes in the frontcourt and backcourt, still needed a Round of 32 appearance. The Jayhawks should be feisty this forthcoming season as I do not anticipate Azubuike to be drafted and Vick are their sole loss, so chances of +2000 provide adequate value.
Auburn Providing Best Value
Head coach Bruce Pearl must be proud of the effort his team put in last season, heading 30-10, for example winning the SEC championship and falling just to eventual national champion Virginia 63-62 at the Final Four. The group had four seniors, such as guard Bryce Brown, who led the team with 15.9 points per match.
However, the core of the team should return for the 2019-20 year, most notably Jared Harper and Chuma Okeke, who combined for 27.3 ppg. Harper led the team with 5.8 assists per game, while Okeke was the group leader with 6.8 rebounds per game. Additionally, Pearl has recruited five players that have signed letters of intent, including small forward Isaac Okoro,who is the 37th-ranked recruit. I think this group will cause waves and +3300 could be a steal as we near March following year.
Here’s a look at the full list of odds for your 2020 college hoops championship:
2019-20 College BASKETBALL Champion Odds
Team Odds
Kentucky +500
Duke +600
Virginia +650
Michigan State +800
Michigan +1200
North Carolina +1200
Gonzaga +1400
Villanova +1600
Kansas +2000
Oregon +2200
Arizona +2500
Louisville +3300
Auburn +3300
Mississippi State +3300
Tennessee +3300
Texas +3300
Texas Tech +3300
Florida State +6600
Wisconsin +6600
UCLA +10000
USC +10000
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