We’re 337 days away from college basketball odds tipping off in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. While that’s certainly a ways away, there has been some significant movement for national title betting odds. Let’s dive into five teams that the market has fancied to date.
The best available futures odds can be found below. Click on any of them to place a wager.
Michigan State ():
After suffering an overtime loss to Markquis Nowell and Kansas State in the Sweet 16, the Spartans surprisingly opened as high as +6000 at Caesars Sportsbook. Keep in mind, those odds were only available for a short matter of time.
However, it speaks to the importance of price shopping and beating the market, as the Spartans are as low as +1400 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Your money will inevitably be tied up for a sizable stretch, but there’s value to be had — with UConn (+8000 in April 2022) representing the prime example. There’s a reason why some ‘books don’t open this market until after the transfer portal is sorted out.
Moreover, Tom Izzo will see four of his five starters return, along with the additions of five-star freshmen Xavier Booker and Jeremy Fears. Perimeter gunner Joey Hauser (46.1%) is the lone significant departure. The Spartans were the last Big 10 team to win a national championship — all the way back in 2000.
Marquette ():
Speaking of veteran-laden squads, Shaka Smart’s crew would bring back its entire starting five — should Olivier-Maxence Prosper pull his name out of the 2023 NBA Draft. Prosper would continue to present plenty of upside, considering his guarded spot-up 3P% went from 18.0% in 2021-22 to 33.3% last season. Collectively, the Golden Eagles were positioned as high as +4000 at Caesars. It’s low point, as of this writing, is +1500 (PointsBet Sportsbook).
Maryland ():
The Terrapins have undergone one of the more market substantial modifications in the offseason, opening as high as +10000 (BetMGM) before dipping as far as +3000 (DraftKings Sportsbook). It’s been influenced by the return of both Jahmir Young and Donta Scott, plus the rumors swirling around Hunter Dickinson, who could wind up in College Park via the portal.
Kevin Willard’s squad already currently showcases the 12th-rated “effective talent” score (Bart Torvik). It’s ahead of both UConn () and Arizona () in that department. With that said, I wouldn’t bet Maryland lower than +5000 at this point. I jumped on +7000 just hours after the 2023 title game wrapped up.
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Florida ():
For the second straight year, Todd Golden & Co. have made their mark in the portal. Their transfer class is arguably the best in the country this time around — highlighted by Walter Clayton Jr. (Iona), Tyrese Samuel (Florida), and Micah Handlogten (Marshall). They’re also in the mix for North Texas transfer Tylor Perry. Those variables have driven their price tag all the way down from +25000.
Nevertheless, these pieces may not materialize as SEC-caliber athletes. Even with a presence like Colin Castleton in the fold in 2022-23, that notion came to fruition against a bevy of the conference’s stout frontcourts.
For reference, West Virginia () sits right behind the Gators in the portal rankings. The ‘Neers reeled in both Kerr Kriisa (Arizona) and Jesse Edwards (Syracuse) in recent weeks.
Colorado ():
USC () has received much of the Pac-12 buzz thus far, thanks to the return of Boogie Ellis and five-star frosh Isaiah Collier. The Trojans may very well add Bronny James to the mix, yet he likely wouldn’t possess a significant role — at least early on.
The Buffaloes have seen their futures odds sliced the most among Pac-12 programs, though. They opened as high as +30000, and they’re now as short as +5500 (FanDuel). Not only will Tad Boyle have K.J. Simpson and Tristan Da Silva at his disposal once again, but he even hauled in former TCU center Eddie Lampkin.
Despite an injury-plagued sophomore campaign, Lampkin tallied the sixth-highest offensive rebounding rate as a freshman.
Good luck with your bets on 2024 college basketball odds.
