NCAA Basketball Futures Picks take a way too early look at what is going on in the college basketball landscape for the 2023-24 NCAA Men’s Basketball season. Yes, we are quite thankful for Bovada online betting sportsbook with updated futures. Now, the college basketball season is still more than five months away. So, what numbers do we have for Kansas, Duke, UConn, and others? VegasBetting asks. Do we look at Kansas or someone else?
NCAA 2023-24 Title Futures May | |||
---|---|---|---|
Kansas | +900 | +1000 | +1200 |
Duke | +1000 | +1000 | +1100 |
UConn | +1400 | +1200 | +1400 |
Michigan State | +1600 | +1500 | +1800 |
Houston | +1800 | +1800 | +2000 |
Gonzaga | +1800 | +1800 | +2200 |
Kentucky | +1800 | +1800 | +1300 |
Marquette | +2000 | +2000 | +1600 |
Texas | +2000 | +2000 | +2200 |
NCAA Basketball Futures Picks asks the following question. Did we forget what UConn pulled off? That answer is no. Coach Dan Hurley took the Huskies to the National Championship game and won the whole darn thing. UConn barely ever was challenged as they cruised to win the top price of men’s college basketball. This was a team that won 31 games on the 2022-23 season.
Bluntly, the expectations are not as high for the Huskies now. Sites now rank the Huskies much higher than even the 11th they started last tournament from in the AP Poll. UConn stands third in the pecking order to win the NCAA Basketball National Title. Now, as June approaches, it is interesting to see how high they are. Keep in mind, this time last year, they were around +6000 to +8000. Then, look at what happened.
The talk concerning a repeat run to the Final Four is almost predictable. The data does not lie, as UConn won each of their tournament games by ten or more points last season. As Dan Hurley later put it, “these men play tournament basketball.” That was true. One could have put them on an aircraft carrier and the Huskies probably would have covered the spread.
Therefore, NCAA Basketball Futures Picks starts on one of the simpler wagers. How do we bet with the Huskies? Honestly, safer bets may come later with conference odds, etc. The Huskies are a wiser bet to go to the Final Four. On the other hand, the returning roster makes one believe at least a little that a repeat is possible. Early on, it is about small wagers and monitoring changes.
What about the Kansas Jayhawks for the Big 12 Regular Season Title and higher aspirations? NCAA Basketball Futures Picks focuses on that national title number for now. Think about how Kansas started last season then had that brutal loss to Arkansas in the tournament. If they had made a few more foul shots, what could have been for the Jayhawks.
There is a possibility of looking at the early favorites with less disdain than usual. The thought process is that the Jayhawks are motivated. Hopefully, Bill Self does not get suspended again to start the season. The argument is that impacted Kansas more than anything else. It was a team that never fully got in a rhythm. Then, they had one bad stretch against the Razorbacks. Kansas at +900 to +1200 could see its odds move several times.
Granted, the most important thing is that Bill Self is healthy once more. Again, the Jayhawks believe they can win the Big 12 Conference. Expectations of an improved talent pool and more experience only fuel those aspirations. How Kansas tied for the regular season title was nothing short of miraculous last season.
Finally, bettors received a pleasant surprise from one book in particular. Most peg Kansas in the +900 to +1000 range as favorites. However, a few have them as co-favorites or even a second/third choice. Consequently, the safest of bets for the NCAA Basketball Futures Picks is here. The Jayhawks might lengthen a bit when it comes to the odds too.
The NCAA Basketball Futures Picks offers a spot to Duke naturally. Before the Blue Devils got unexpectedly punched out by Tennessee in the second round last year, the expectations were rising. Keep in mind, Duke won the ACC Conference Tournament and beat Miami (FL). Yes, that same Miami team that advanced to the Final Four could not keep pace with the Blue Devils. One just never knows.
So, the good news is that Jon Scheyer hopefully learned a lot from last year, especially in March. Again, coaching Duke is different than coaching most any university. Expectations are at a fever pitch. Anything less is viewed as a disappointment. Still, 27-9 was quite a season for the Blue Devils and many tab them for their ACC pick and potentially more for this upcoming campaign.
Yes, the classroom counts as being important too. Your players have to be eligible to play after all. Duke typically has few problems in this avenue and the expectation is that the team got stronger on defense. When Kyle Filipowski decided to stay, that only raised the stakes for the Blue Devils. Bettors noticed it too as Duke started to make moves up a lot of boards.
With these futures, it is best suited to expect Duke not to move too much more. Now, the big shift took place already. Also, Duke is a slight favorite on at least two books out of the 6-8 major ones out currently for futures. They lie as a second choice most everywhere else. Duke projects to win at least 30 games and likely to be a Final Four team at least in 2023-24.
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Chris Wassel is someone who has covered a little bit of everything: business, writing, sports, food, grilling, the Olympics, injuries, politics, and more. He has climbed mountains like Mount Washington and Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California, and for those who don’t know, he is also big into food challenges. With friends like Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has tackled eating feats like finishing a 16-pound turkey or a 32-inch meat lover's pizza. Since 2013, he has focused on fitness, fishing, and sports while managing to fit in running, hiking, rock climbing, and even the occasional mini-triathlon. He can lift more than his body weight with ease and is the person you turn to when you want to know if a NASCAR rain delay means a Monday race. Over his career, Chris has worked at places like Amazon, USA Today, and various rumors and fantasy sports sites. He has been nominated for awards such as the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hockey Writer of the Year and has a collection of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings on display at home. With all this, Chris sums it up best with his motto: "Shut up and play."