As one season closes, another is set to start in just a mere six months and it is never too early to put a futures bet on who you believe are the group cutting down the nets at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium at Atlanta following April. The Virginia Cavaliers claimed the 2019 title, their first in school history, but they sit on the oddsboard, two areas behind the Kentucky Wildcats, who would be the +500 favorite.
BetOnline has Kentucky as the favorite to win the 2020 college hoops championship at +500 followed closely by Duke in +600, Virginia in +650, Michigan State in +800, and Michigan and North Carolina at +1200 to round out the top teams on the oddsboard.
Tread Gently with Kentucky
Kentucky had a successful 2018-19 effort, putting 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 need to enter the season with quite a different look. Four of Kentucky’s starting five are 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 probably be going pro.
All isn’t lost, though, as the Wildcats have done a great job recruiting for the upcoming season, securing two 2019 McDonald’s All-Americans, shooting guard Tyrese Maxey and small forward Khalil Whitney. I expect sophomores Immanuel Quickley and E.J. Montgomery to lead the fee and will work well with the incoming freshmen. With their new appearance, I’d be hesitant to put a wager on this bar at +500 at this point.
Kansas May be Well-Balanced and Experienced
Kansas had a very intriguing 2018-19, revealing flashes of brilliance and being rated in the top five in the AP survey for eight months, including two weeks at the top spot. Overall, the Jayhawks finished the year with a 26-10 record, falling to Auburn in the Round of 32. Kansas was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde club when it arrived to home and away splits, going a perfect 16-0 in Allen Fieldhouse but just 3-8 in true road games — very confusing results.
The Jayhawks had to battle through accidents, losing guard Lagerald Vick for its season in early February. He is a senior and won’t be back . Furthermore, junior center Udoka Azubuike played just nine games in 2018-19. But Kansas, despite those big holes in the frontcourt and backcourt, still had a Round of 32 look. The Jayhawks must be feisty this forthcoming season as I do not expect Azubuike to be drafted and Vick are their sole loss, so chances of +2000 provide adequate value.
Auburn Providing Best Value
Head coach Bruce Pearl must be proud of the effort his team put in this past season, going 30-10, including winning the SEC championship and falling just to eventual national champion Virginia 63-62 in the Final Four. The team had four seniors, such as shield Bryce Brown, who led the team with 15.9 points per match.
However, the center of the team should return for the 2019-20 year, 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 small forward Isaac Okoro,who’s the 37th-ranked recruit. I believe this group will cause waves again and +3300 could be a steal as we close March next year.
Here’s a look at the full list of chances 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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