Some familiar names are at the top of the board with the 2023 Final Four odds. Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Gonzaga, North Carolina, and Arkansas are public favorites. Namely, we have traditional blue bloods with Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina. These name brands are the most iconic in the sport. Gonzaga is a new money power that has come close but hasn’t finished. And then Arkansas is an upstart from the SEC that showed well in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. And as we saw in March Madness in 2022, timing is everything.
2023 College Basketball National Championship
| Date | April 1 and April 3, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Final Four Venue | NRG Stadium, Houston Texas |
Odds to win 2023 College Basketball National Championship
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Duke Blue Devils | +1133 |
| Kansas Jayhawks | +1133 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | +1133 |
| Gonzaga Bulldogs | +1400 |
| North Carolina Tar Heels | +1433 |
| Arkansas Razorbacks | +1466 |
| Arizona Wildcats | +1633 |
| UCLA Bruins | +1666 |
| Houston Cougars | +1866 |
| Baylor Bears | +1933 |
| Villanova Wildcats | +2033 |
| Michigan Wolverines | +2500 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | +3100 |
| Texas Longhorns | +3166 |
| Texas Tech Red Raiders | +3333 |
| Tennessee Volunteers | +3500 |
| Auburn Tigers | +3566 |
| Purdue Boilermakers | +3766 |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | +4666 |
| Creighton Bluejays | +4833 |
| USC Trojans | +4833 |
| All Other Contenders | +5333 or higher |
The Impossible Task
Last time we had a repeat national champion in college basketball was in 2006-07 with the Florida Gators. Previously the Duke Blue Devils repeated in 1991-92. Of course, the UCLA Bruins had the greatest dynasty in history with runs of 1964-65 and 1967-73. Above all, history shows that a defending champion is an offshore betting longshot to repeat the next year.
Duke Blue Devils Turn the Page
Mike Krzyzewski retired after beating the March Madness Odds for one last Final Four berth. Coach K leaves the scene as the GOAT of college basketball coaches. Now taking the big chair is Jon Scheyer, a former Duke guard that played on the Blue Devils’ 2010 national championship team.
Scheyer, age 34, faces the monumental task of replacing a legend. However, Scheyer has the advantage of playing for Duke and serving as Coach K’s top assistant. Thus, he knows the school and program culture inside out. Most important of all, Scheyer will have the highest-ranked roster in the nation.
Kansas Jayhawks Seek Repeat Under Cloud of FBI Investigation
For five years, Kansas has operated under the charges of scandal. Specifically, FBI tapes reveal many recruiting violations in the KU program. It is feared that the NCAA hammer could drop at any time. But the current Kansas national championship team has no connection to those days. Head coach Bill Self has learned to coach up less talented players into a strong team. But KU will be losing key players from the team that just won the title. Namely, Ochai Agbaji leads those who are off to the NBA.
John Calipari Faces Increased Doubts at Kentucky
No coach gets more credit for excellence in recruiting than Kentucky’s John Calipari. For all that praise is just one national championship in his 13 seasons as coach. Last time in the Final Four for Calipari was in 2015. Worst of all, in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats were upset by 15-seed Saint Peter’s.
Hubert Davis Makes His Mark
First year head coach Hubert Davis took North Carolina to the national championship game. Despite blowing a 15-point halftime lead, the Tar Heels have a bright future.