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The brackets are out, and we are just a couple of days before March Madness tips off! Who doesn't love making your bracket or placing future bets for teams to come out as National Champions?
There are 68 teams chosen to participate in March Madness, but only one can win. Who will it be? In this article, we dive into the teams with the best odds of winning a championship and include some very appropriate value plays.
Looking at the latest FanDuel odds, we notice that four one-seeds are towards the top for best odds of winning the championship banner.
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Best Odds to Win
Connecticut +400
As expected, UConn has the best odds when looking at all the possible tournament winners. The Huskies have been one of the most dominant teams all year and were the only #1 seed to win a conference tournament this season. Head coach Dan Hurley leads UConn, and this team is looking to repeat as back-to-back National Champions for the first time since 2006-2007 with the Florida Gators. Top to bottom, UConn has the most robust roster in the country, and the team is filled with NBA talent, including guards Tristian Newton, Cam Spencer, Stephon Castle, and big man Donovan Clingan. The only problem with choosing UConn is that it has become the public favorite to win the championship.
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9s70c5itAB
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 17, 2024
Houston +600
Houston is the second favorite to win the National Championship after finishing the season first in the Big 12 conference standings and finishing as the runner-up in the Big 12 conference tournament. Until their last outing, Houston had won its previous three regular-season games by more than 20 points and showed a ‘no-mercy’ play style no matter who the Cougars were playing. Houston is led by head coach Kelvin Sampson, who has helped the team secure a 30-4 record and did so well in being a part of the Big 12 for the first time in team history. Houston stands as one of the best defensive teams in the country, and a large part of that comes from guards Jamal Shead and LJ Cryer, who have been fantastic for Houston so far this season.
Let the madness begin.#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/Q14IRNNw42
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) March 17, 2024
Purdue + 700
The Purdue Boilermakers came in as the third-best odds to win the National Championship after 29-4 this season. They had a semi-final exit in the Big Ten tournament after losing against Wisconsin. Purdue may have the best resume in the tournament, having won over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Illinois twice. Purdue also has projected National Player of the Year Zach Edey, who has been dominant with 24.4 points and 11.7 rebounds per game this season. Many remember last season when Purdue had an early exit after losing in the first round in a shocking upset, but this team is coming with a vengeance to go far in this year's tournament.
Back in @GainbridgeFH this week. pic.twitter.com/ZgKLJ8OY4e
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) March 18, 2024
North Carolina +1600
North Carolina has the lowest odds among the one-seeds in the tournament, but they are a team that shouldn’t be overlooked. The Tar Heels are looking for another shot at a National championship game after losing to Kansas in the 2022 Finals, followed by missing the tournament last season. However, North Carolina has proven to be a hazardous team and was the toughest in the ACC this season after finishing first in the regular season and then being awarded runner-up in the ACC tournament. The Tar Heels are ranked in the top 10 in defense and have arguably the best 1-2 punch in the country with guard RJ Davis and center Armando Bacot. Despite North Carolina having the worst odds out of the four one-seeds, this team has everything they need to make a National Championship run.
Let’s dance. pic.twitter.com/8jlSIfzoJb
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 18, 2024
Best Value Selections
Looking at the rest of the tournament's teams, a couple of groups need to be mentioned as fantastic value plays to win the title or even make a Final Four run. Teams who have struggled with injuries this season, such as the Kansas Jayhawks (+3,500) or the Florida Gators (+8,000) come to mind.
The Jayhawks have dealt with multiple injuries this season, including their star players Kevin McCullar and Hunter Dickinson, who both missed the Big 12 tournament, which is the main reason for the team's early exit against Cincinnati. Both players are expected to be healthy and play in Kansas’ first-round game against Samford.
Another team that strikes me as a serious contender with excellent value is the Creighton Bluejays (+2,000). Creighton has been one of the more electric offenses to spectate this season and has a full roster of star-colligate athletes. Creighton has solid wins this year, including recently grabbing a victory over top-seeded UConn in a blowout performance. Creighton is a team I have going far in multiple brackets, and the value for them to win the National Championship is one to consider.
Complete List of NCAAB Futures Via FanDuel (Top 20)
- UConn +400
- Houston +600
- Purdue +700
- Arizona +1500
- North Carolina +1600
- Tennessee +1600
- Auburn +2000
- Creighton +2000
- Marquette +2100
- Iowa State +2300
- Illinois +3000
- Alabama +3500
- Baylor +3500
- Kansas +3500
- Duke +4000
- BYU +5000
- Gonzaga +6000
- Michigan State +6000
- Saint Mary’s +6000
- Wisconsin +6000
More March Madness Analysis
