Last month, Kentucky dropping out of the rankings was the biggest storyline. The Wildcats had College Basketball odds questions. Of great concern was Antonio Reeves’s status and Aaron Bradshaw’s health, and there was little-to-no experience on the roster. A few weeks later, Kentucky is again the biggest storyline in the updated rankings. Additionally, it is on the positive side this time. Not only are the Wildcats back in the top 25, they’re comfortably inside the top 20. And Kentucky could rise more through the summer.
2023-24 Men’s College Basketball National Championship Futures
| Dates: | Season Begins November 6, 2023. NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament “March Madness” Runs March 19 Through April 8, 2024 |
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2023-24 Men’s College Basketball National Championship Futures SBG Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | +1100 |
| Duke | +1300 |
| Arizona | +1500 |
| Alabama | +1500 |
| Kentucky | +1600 |
| Purdue | +2000 |
| Creighton | +2000 |
| Marquette | +2000 |
| Michigan State | +2000 |
| North Carolina | +2400 |
| UCLA | +2500 |
| Arkansas | +2500 |
| Kansas | +2500 |
| Houston | +2500 |
| Gonzaga | +2500 |
| Florida Atlantic | +3000 |
| Miami-FL | +3000 |
| Texas | +3400 |
| Tennessee | +3500 |
| TCU | +3500 |
| USC | +4500 |
| Auburn | +4500 |
| Baylor | +4500 |
| Maryland | +4500 |
| Ohio State | +4500 |
| All Other Teams | +5000 or Higher |
Kentucky Plots Comeback
Namely, Antonio Reeves is back in the online betting fold. His return gives John Calipari an experienced perimeter scorer. Last season he was Kentucky’s best offensive player.
Also, the Wildcats added West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell days after he entered the portal. Mitchell has produced at three different colleges already. Hence, he gives an inside-outside threat next to Ugonna Onyenso or Bradshaw down low.
Regarding Bradshaw, the long-term status of his injury seems a bit more positive than it was a few weeks ago. Still, it is unclear when he might play this season.
While questions remain over the experience and youth of this season’s squad, there are no doubts about the talent level in Lexington. In most 2024 mock drafts released late last month, the Wildcats have two of the four highest-ranked college players.
Now, Calipari has four top-25 recruits on the perimeter to play alongside Reeves. As well as a reliable frontcourt producer in Mitchell to go with high-ceiling bigs in Onyenso and Bradshaw. The experience is there, the talent is there, and the depth is there. Certainly, things are looking up in Lexington.
Can Purdue Finally Break Through?
Purdue made the biggest rise following the withdrawal deadline, thanks to the return of Zach Edey. To illuminate, the reigning Wooden Award winner took it to the final day but opted to return to West Lafayette, Indiana. As a result, he will once again be the most dominant player in NCAABB betting.
Now Matt Painter has all five starters back from a team that won both the Big Ten regular-season and conference tournament championship. Additionally, Purdue earned a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament before the stunning upset to 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson.
Sparty On the Izzone for 2023-24
Gambler liked Tom Izzo’s team entering the offseason. And that was before Tyson Walker and Malik Hall announced they were taking advantage of their extra year of eligibility. Cause by COVID-19, they are returning to East Lansing. And then AJ Hoggard and Jaden Akins decided to return to the Spartans after testing the NBA draft waters.
In sum, Michigan State has experience and a high-level backcourt. Additionally, they added depth and explosiveness with the arrival of five-star recruits Xavier Booker, Coen Carr, and Jeremy Fears.