Top NCAA Basketball Futures: Best Bets for the 2025–26 Championship

With an Epic Ending in the Final Four, College Basketball Season Is Over

There is only one thing we can all do now — move on. It’s time to start looking ahead to next season.

While a lot can happen in the months ahead, it’s a great time to bet on NCAA basketball futures.

With the transfer portal and NBA Draft decimating some teams, you might think: Why now? So much could change that it might make any bet feel like a bad one before the season even starts.

That’s true — but that’s also what makes now a fantastic time to find value.

NCAA Men’s Basketball Futures: Latest Odds and Betting Trends

The following are the top 10 contenders (according to their odds) for the 2025–26 NCAA men’s basketball championship, via DraftKings:

Duke +1000

Houston +1100

UConn +1400

Purdue +1600

BYU +1700

St. John’s +1800

Kentucky +2000

Kansas +2000

Arkansas +2000

Louisville +2200

The defending champs are tied with several teams (Auburn, Alabama, Texas Tech, etc.) just outside the top 10 at +2500. So, who should you bet on?

Well, I can’t tell you that. But I can tell you this: Of the last 10 tournaments for which I could find odds posted from April to July (2022–25; 2014–19), the betting favorite at the time did not go on to win the national championship that year.

Of those 10 tournaments, the eventual winner had odds from +1000 to +2000 six times (2024 — UConn, +1100; 2022 — Kansas, +2000; 2019 — Virginia, +1800; 2018 — Villanova, +1200; 2016 — Villanova, +2000; 2015 — Duke, +1000).

Florida had +4000 odds. UConn had +6600 in 2023 and +7000 in 2014.

I bet you’re still wondering who you should bet on. I still can’t tell you that — but I can tell you this: Here are the teams I’m betting on now ($10 each). If they pan out, that would be fantastic. If they don’t — eh, the risk is worth the potential reward.

2025–26 NCAA Men’s National Championship Odds: Best Bets

With players entering the portal and declaring for the NBA Draft, it’s hard to know exactly what many teams will look like next season. But in this day and age, it’s not uncommon for teams to rebuild their rosters from one year to the next.

So, with that in mind, I’m targeting the following teams because they have a solid track record of recruiting and rebuilding from season to season:

Duke +1000 / Houston +1100

I know. I’m breaking from my own trend by going with the Blue Devils. But Duke had an incredibly deep roster, so no matter who leaves, they’ll be in good shape. Add a player or two via the portal or the incoming recruiting class, and they’ll be right back in the thick of it.

The same can be said for Houston. Teams with preseason odds this short don’t typically win the title the following year, but it’s hard to argue with the talent both teams already have.

Texas Tech +2500

The Red Raiders made it to the Elite Eight this year, losing to Florida 84–79. They’ll be in good shape next season with star forward JT Toppin coming back for his junior season rather than taking his talents to the NBA.

His return puts Texas Tech right in the thick of the conversation and could make the Red Raiders an enticing destination for players in the transfer portal.

Michigan State +3500

The Spartans are losing Jaden Akins and could lose Jase Richardson, but even if they do, Tom Izzo will have quite a few pieces back from last season’s team that made it to the Elite Eight. With the group expected back, if Izzo can get a couple of the younger guys to take the next step, the Spartans could make a move next season.

Texas +6000

A couple of preseason longshots have won in the last decade, so why not roll the dice on one? Texas is getting a good coach in Sean Miller, has some returning talent (Jordan Pope, Chendall Weaver and Tramon Mark), and has already brought in a couple of transfers (Dailyn Swain and Matas Vokietaitis).

Probable? I’m not holding my breath.

Possible? Sure — and if I lose confidence in the wager, I’ll take the first chance I get to cash out.