As one season closes, another is set to start in just a mere six months and it is never too early to place a futures bet on who you think will be the group cutting down the nets at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium at Atlanta next April. The Virginia Cavaliers claimed the 2019 title, their first in school history, however they sit on the oddsboard, two areas behind the Kentucky Wildcats, that are the +500 favorite.
BetOnline has Kentucky since the favorite to win against the 2020 school hoops championship at +500 followed by Duke at +600, Virginia at +650, Michigan State at +800, and Michigan and North Carolina in +1200 to round out the top teams on the oddsboard.
Tread Lightly with Kentucky
Kentucky had a successful 2018-19 effort, putting together a 30-7 record en route to an Elite Eight berth before falling to Auburn in overtime. No doubt head coach John Calipari will have the Wildcats playing at a high degree, but he’ll need to enter the season with quite a different appearance. Four of Kentucky’s starting five will be very likely to graduate or be drafted into the NBA since Reid Travis is a senior and P.J. Washington, Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro will likely be going pro.
All is not lost, however, since the Wildcats have done a great job recruitment for the upcoming season, procuring two 2019 McDonald’s All-Americans, shooting guard Tyrese Maxey and little forward Khalil Whitney. I anticipate sophomores Immanuel Quickley and E.J. Montgomery to lead the charge and will work nicely with the incoming freshmen. With their brand new appearance, I would be hesitant to put a wager on this bar at +500 at this stage.
Kansas May be Well-Balanced and Experienced
Kansas had an extremely intriguing 2018-19, revealing flashes of brilliance and being rated in the top five in the AP poll for eight months, including two weeks in the top place. Overall, the Jayhawks finished the year with a 26-10 record, falling to Auburn in the Round of 32. Kansas was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team as it arrived to house and away splits, heading a perfect 16-0 at Allen Fieldhouse but only 3-8 in true road games — quite confusing results.
The Jayhawks had to battle through injuries, losing protect Lagerald Vick for the summer in early February. He is a senior and won’t be back next year. Additionally, junior center Udoka Azubuike played only nine games in 2018-19. However, Kansas, despite those huge holes in the frontcourt and backcourt, nevertheless needed a Round of 32 appearance. The Jayhawks must be feisty this upcoming season as I do not anticipate Azubuike to be drafted and Vick will be their sole loss, so odds of +2000 provide adequate value.
Auburn Providing Best Value
Head coach Bruce Pearl has to be proud of this effort his team put in last season, heading 30-10, for example winning the SEC championship and falling only to eventual national champion Virginia 63-62 at the Final Four. The team had four seniors, such as guard Bryce Brown, who led the team with 15.9 points per game.
On the other hand, the center of the team should come back for the 2019-20 season, most notably Jared Harper and Chuma Okeke, who united for 27.3 ppg. Harper led the team with 5.8 assists per game, while Okeke was the group leader with 6.8 rebounds per game. Additionally, Pearl has recruited five players that have signed letters of intent, including small forward Isaac Okoro,who’s the 37th-ranked recruit. I believe this team will cause waves again and +3300 could be a steal as we near March following year.
Here’s a look at the full list of chances for your 2020 school hoops championship:
2019-20 College BASKETBALL Champion Odds
Team Odds
Kentucky +500
Duke +600
Virginia +650
Michigan State +800
Michigan +1200
North Carolina +1200
Gonzaga +1400
Villanova +1600
Kansas +2000
Oregon +2200
Arizona +2500
Louisville +3300
Auburn +3300
Mississippi State +3300
Tennessee +3300
Texas +3300
Texas Tech +3300
Florida State +6600
Wisconsin +6600
UCLA +10000
USC +10000
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