NCAAB futures: Can Huskies repeat as champions?
It doesn't seem like it was all that long ago that the UConn Huskies defeated the San Diego State Aztecs and became NCAA tournament champions.
But it's December once again, and that means the college basketball scene is ramping back up for a few months of competition before the 2024 March Madness run gets underway. The Huskies are already off to a blistering start, going 8-1 in their first nine games — all non-conference — and they have a perfect home record as they look to have another hugely successful season.
What does that mean for UConn's odds of cutting down the nets two years in a row? Here's a look at what oddsmakers think.
UConn is priced at 13-1 at DraftKings and 14-1 at BetMGM to win the 2024 NCAA tournament, but there are a few teams listed ahead of them a few months ahead of brackets being set.
The overall favorite at sportsbooks right now? That honor goes to Purdue, who is listed at 9-1 at DK and 10-1 at BetMGM to win in Glendale in April.
You may recall the high-ranked Boilermakers were suprisingly bumped from the first round of last year's tournament in a 63-58 upset loss to the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights that busted brackets across the country. Now, Matt Painter's men have started their 2023-24 campaign with an 8-1 record as they look to avenge last year's early tournament exit.
The road back to the tournament will be tough in a stacked Big 10, where every team ahead of Purdue in the standings is on a massive winning streak. Conference leader Indiana has won four straight, Ohio State and Wisconsin have each won six, Illinois has won five and Northwestern is on a two-game heater — including a 92-88 win against Purdue last week.
Other favorites at DK to win the 2024 NCAA tournament include Kansas (11-1) and Arizona (12-1), while BetMGM also lists Duke alongside UConn at 14-1 odds.
Those odds could change pretty quickly, however, as the season really heats up in December. Could the Huskies' odds get shorter? Could Purdue fall from the favorite spot? With so much season left before tournament time, it's anyone's guess what these odds will look like at the end of the month — let alone at the end of the season.
More must-reads: