The 2026-27 college basketball season is set to begin, with Notre Dame and Villanova facing off in Rome, Italy, marking the earliest start to a season in recent memory. As the anticipation builds, sportsbooks have released their opening odds for the NCAA championship, with Duke and Florida emerging as the early co-favorites.
Both Duke and Florida are listed at +600 odds to win the national title. These two teams are joined at the top of the odds board by Connecticut and Illinois, ranked No. 4 and No. 3 in the AP preseason top 25, respectively. Connecticut is listed at 11/1, while Illinois follows closely at 12/1.
Other teams expected to contend for the championship include Michigan State and Texas, both opening at 18/1. Louisville and preseason Big-12 favorite Arizona are listed at 20/1, with Houston and Tennessee rounding out the top 10 at 25/1.
Championship Contenders and Predictions
Connecticut is considered a strong contender, with odds of +1250. The Huskies, led by head coach Dan Hurley, have a recent history of success, reaching or winning three of the last four NCAA title games. Despite losing key players Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed, UConn returns guard Silas Demary Jr. and sharpshooter Braylon Mullins. The team has also added Duke transfer Nikolas Khamenia and former Seton Hall center Na’jai Hines. UConn showcased its strength in preseason exhibition play with victories over Michigan State and Purdue.
Kansas enters the season with odds of 30/1. The Jayhawks have reloaded their roster with top prospects Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney, the latter being the consensus favorite for next year's NBA Draft. With returning players Tre White and Melvin Council Jr., alongside portal additions Trey Kaufman-Renn, Leroy Blyden Jr., and Keanu Dawes, Kansas boasts a blend of experience and young talent that could make them a threat.
Vanderbilt, at 45/1, is presented as a potential dark horse. The Commodores had a strong start last season, reaching No. 10 in the AP Poll and securing a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Key player Tyler Tanner has returned, and the team has added 7-footer Bangot Dak and guard Ace Glass from the transfer portal, along with five-star recruit Gabe Nesmith. Despite a fourth-place projection in the SEC, Vanderbilt's preseason KenPom ranking at No. 13 suggests they could be a team to watch.
The college basketball season officially tips off soon, with many teams aiming to cut down the nets in the championship game.