As one season closes, another is set to begin in a mere six months and it’s never too early to place a futures bet on who you believe will be the group cutting down the nets at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta next April. The Virginia Cavaliers maintained the 2019 title, their first in school history, however they sit third on the oddsboard, two areas behind the Kentucky Wildcats, who are the +500 favorite.
BetOnline has Kentucky since the favorite to win the 2020 school hoops championship at +500 followed by Duke in +600, Virginia in +650, Michigan State at +800, and Michigan and North Carolina in +1200 to round out the top teams around the oddsboard.
Tread Gently with Kentucky
Kentucky had a powerful 2018-19 effort, placing with a 30-7 record en route to an Elite Eight berth before falling to Auburn in overtime. Undoubtedly head coach John Calipari will have the Wildcats playing at a high level, but he’ll have to enter the season with quite a different appearance. Four of Kentucky’s starting five are 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 moving pro.
All isn’t lost, though, since the Wildcats have already done a good job recruitment for the upcoming season, securing 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 new look, I’d be hesitant to put a bet on this club at +500 at this stage.
Kansas Could be Well-Balanced and Experienced
Kansas had a very intriguing 2018-19, showing flashes of brilliance along with being rated in the top five at the AP poll for eight months, including 2 weeks at the top place. Overall, the Jayhawks finished the year with a 26-10 record, falling to Auburn from the Round of 32. Kansas was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team when it came to home and away splits, heading a perfect 16-0 in Allen Fieldhouse but just 3-8 in true road games — quite confusing results.
The Jayhawks needed to battle through accidents, losing guard Lagerald Vick for the season in early February. He’s a senior and will not be back next year. Furthermore, junior centre Udoka Azubuike played only nine games in 2018-19. However, Kansas, despite those big holes in the frontcourt and backcourt, nevertheless needed a Round of 32 appearance. The Jayhawks should be feisty this upcoming season as I don’t expect Azubuike to be drafted and Vick will be their sole loss, so odds of +2000 provide decent price.
Auburn Providing Best Value
Head coach Bruce Pearl must be proud of this effort his team put in this past season, heading 30-10, including winning the SEC championship and falling only to eventual national champion Virginia 63-62 at the Final Four. The group had four seniors, including guard Bryce Brown, who led the team with 15.9 points per match.
On the other hand, the center of the group must return for the 2019-20 season, most notably Jared Harper and Chuma Okeke, who combined 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 who have signed letters of intent, including little forward Isaac Okoro,who’s the 37th-ranked recruit. I think this team is going to cause waves again and +3300 may be a steal as we close March next year.
Here’s a look at the Complete list of odds for the 2020 college 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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