2025-26 Men’s College Basketball Championship Odds and Predictions

As the sports world turns its attention towards Super Bowl 60, the 2025-26 College Basketball season is running a fast break towards March Madness as the top teams in the country are starting to establish themselves as true contenders to cut down the nets in April.

Currently, schools like Arizona, UConn and Michigan are dominating the proverbial paint as they jockey for the top spots in the AP Top 25. Furthermore, the Big Ten is really making a case to be the best conference this year. Can that continue as we get closer to the Big Dance?

Let’s take a look at the latest NCAAB Championship odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our NCAAB Championship predictions.

Men’s College Basketball Championship Odds

Check out the latest NCAAB Basketball Championship odds, courtesy of Scores and Stats:

The College Basketball landscape has been thrilling this year with many teams looking like true contenders. The Big Ten is leading the charge as you can see the Nebraska Cornhuskers are the biggest movers since the start of the season. Arizona and Michigan are battling for the top spot at the betting sites and in the College rankings.

Like the oddsmakers, the best handicappers are also split over who will cut down the nets as the 2026 National Champions. Keep reading below to see which team we predict to win it all and how they compare to the elite handicappers in our industry-leading membership.

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NCAAB Championship Favorites

The following NCAAM Basketball teams are considered the odds-on favorites to cut down the nets as National Champions in 2026:

Arizona Wildcats (+375)

Arizona remains undefeated at 21-0, ranked No. 1 nationally in the AP poll and features one of the sport’s top-tier offenses. They’re the second Big 12 team to start 21-0 in the conference’s history. They’re also on the verge of breaking the school’s longest win streak, as well.

Arizona’s mix of veteran leadership and offensive playmakers like Brayden Burries, Jaden Bradley, and Koa Peat makes this team versatile in scoring as they are winning by 21.3 ppg as of this writing. The Wildcats appear to be the best team in the country right now and it’s hard to see this team fading down the stretch.

Michigan Wolverines (+450)

Michigan Wolverines have been flirting with the top spot in the nation’s rankings as they’ve been in the Top 5 for quite some time now.  The Wolverines are solid on both sides of the court and led by Yaxel Lendeborg who sports one of the best plus-minus in the sport this season.

With a Top 10 offense that can score inside or on the perimeter, along with a stifling defense, the Wolverines will be a presence in deciding the Big Ten along with the Big Dance.

Duke Blue Devils (+1000)

The Duke Blue Devils blend elite offense and defense as they run through their conference and continue to improve as a team throughout the season. They’re led by star Cameron Boozer who is averaging 23.5 ppg, 4.1 apg, and sports a 57.9% field goal percentage. All three lead this team.

Duke should win the ACC this year due to the talent on both sides of the ball. Joining Boozer as top-notch players are Isaiah Evans (14.5 ppg) and Patrick Nbonga II (11.2 ppg, 6.1 rbp).

This team has a nice mix of two-play and stars to be a real contender come March Madness time.

UConn Huskies (+1100)

The Connecticut Huskies are back and they have a team that could threaten to cut the nets down once again. UConn is sporting a double-digit win streak that could help them run away with the Big East.

They’re led by Solo Ball who’s scoring 14.6 ppg. His backcourt mate Silas Demary Jr. is posting 6.2 apg along with 10.2 ppg. Tarris Reed Jr. is also a force down low as he’s tallying 14.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 1.9 blocks per game.

This team might not blow out opponents with a modest offense, but their defense and athleticism are going to make UConn a contender in the Big Dance.

The Best NCAAB Championship Value Bets

The following men’s College basketball teams are our picks for the best betting value based on their rosters and current odds:

Illinois Fighting Illini (+2000)

Don’t sleep on the Illinois Fighting Illini as they’ve been a Top 10 team in the country and one of the best in a loaded Big Ten conference. They’re led by one of the best freshmen in the sport – Keaton Wagler. The talented guard can take over games and is averaging 14.3 ppg, 5.0 rbp, and 4.0 apg. He gives this team a go-to player come tournament time.

Additionally, this team has a supporting cast that includes Andrej Stojakovic (13.9 ppg) and Kylan Boswell (14.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.4 apg). So, they’re not a one-man band. Instead, they can push the pace and overwhelm opponents. The could be a sneaky play come the Big Dance if they don’t win the Big Ten.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1800)

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are showing that they can be a contender any season, regardless of the turnover like last year. This team has a balanced attack with a veteran core. Along with their lengthy tournament history and heralded coach, the Bulldogs are clearly one of the best value bets.

Floating in the Top 10 for most of the year, Gonzaga is led by Graham Ike who is a force down low as he averages 18.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg. Both numbers lead the team. Braden Huff provides the team with a legitimate no.2 threat as he averages 17.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg.

Collectively, this team is high-scoring, strong at rebounding, and efficient defensively. They’re going to be tough come tournament time.

NCAA Men’s Championship Longshot

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (+3500) have to be the best of the longshots considering they’re undefeated as of this writing, along with posting a Top 5 ranking. While they could slip up in the Big Ten tournament, that doesn’t preclude this team from pulling out a deep run in the Big Dance.

Pryce Sandfort leads the team in scoring at 17.2 ppg and Field Goal Percentage (48.6%). Braden Frager, Rienk Mast, and Jamarques Lawrence all average 10 or more points per game to give this team balance. Combined this core averages 53 of their 83.9 ppg on the season. Additionally, they post 17 of the 36.5 total rebounds per game.

Defensively, this team allows only 65 ppg and show the ability to stifle opposing offenses. Currently, the Cornhuskers have outperformed all preseason expectations to be the top team in the Big Ten as of this writing. A no.5 ranking is their highest spot in school history. Can this fairy tale season lead to cutting down the nets?

NCAAM Basketball Championship Predictions

At the beginning of the season, we liked Houston to cut down the nets due to their experience, top-tier coaching and elite defense. While this school is still in contention for a run at the title, they’re sitting below Arizona and looking up at the Wildcats who are posting an incredible season to date.

They’ve defeated everyone on their schedule to date and showed a mental toughness by defeating BYU on the road 86-83. The program averages 89.9 ppg and allows just 68.3 ppg which is one of the best scoring margins in the country.

While they have the 26^th highest assists per game, this team is Top 10 in rebounding at 43.2 per game. In fact, they post a 13.5 rebounding margin over their opponents. Second-chance points, along with preventing the opposition from getting more opportunities, is a recipe for success in the Big Dance.

Lastly, this team has five players all averaging double digits in scoring on the year. They also have two players in Tobe Awaka & Motiejus Krivas who are on the verge of averaging double-doubles for the season.

With the offensive firepower, and elite rebounding, the Wildcats are a legitimate threat to win their first National Championship since 1997, under Lute Olson and led by Mike Bibby. This team’s backcourt of Burries and Bradley could rival the Bibby era if they cut down the nets in April like we think they will.

Bet: Arizona Wildcats +375

Who won the Men’s College Basketball Championship?

The following is a list of the most recent Men’s College Basketball Championship winners: