Top NCAA Basketball Futures: Best bets for the 2025–26 championship

With an epic ending in Final Four is College Basket season over

It’s just one thing we can all do now – move on. It’s time to start looking ahead for the next season.

While much can happen in the coming months, it is a good time to invest in NCAA Basketball Futures.

With the transfer portal and the NBA draft that decimate some teams, maybe you think: Why now? So much can change that it can make all the bets feel like a bad one before the season even begins.

It is true – but it is also what is now making a great time to find value.

NCAA -Basketball Basketball for Men: Latest odds and betting trends

The following are the 10 best challengers (according to their odds) for the NCAA Championship 2025–26, via Draftkings:

Duke +1000

Houston +1100

UCONN +1400

Purdue +1600

BYU +1700

St. John’s +1800

Kentucky +2000

Kansas +2000

Arkans +2000

Louisville +2200

The defending champions are tied with several teams (Auburn, Alabama, Texas Tech, etc.) just outside the top 10 at +2500. So who are you going to bet on?

I can’t say that. But I can tell you this: of the last ten tournaments that I could find odds published from April to July (2022–25; 2014-19), made the game favorite at that time not Continue to win the national championship the same year.

Of the ten tournaments, the possible winner had odds from +1000 to +2000 six times (2024 – Uconn, +1100; 2022 – Kansas, +2000; 2019 – Virginia, +1800; 2018 – Villanova, +1200; 2016 – Villanova, +2000; 2015 – +1000).

Florida had +4000 odds. Uconn had +6600 2023 and +7000 2014.

I bet you still wonder who you bark Invest. I still can’t say that – but I Can Tell us this: Here are the teams I bet on now ($ 10 each). If they go out it would be fantastic. If they don’t – eh, the risk is worth the potential reward.

2025–26 NCAA Men’s National Championship Odds: Best bets

With players who enter the portal and explain to the NBA draft, it is difficult to know exactly how many teams will look next season. But on this day and age, it is not uncommon for teams to rebuild their playing plans from one year to the next.

So with that in mind, I target the following team because they have a solid record to recruit and rebuild from season to season:

Duke +1000 / Houston +1100

I know. I break from my own trend by joining Blue Devils. But Duke had an incredibly deep list, so no matter who leaves, they will be in good shape. Add a player or two via the portal or the incoming recruitment class, so they will come back in the thick.

The same can be said for Houston. Teams included for the Odds season this card usually does not win the title the following year, but it is difficult to argue with the talent that both teams already have.

Texas Tech +2500

The Red Raiders reached Elite eight this year and lost to Florida 84-79. They will be in good shape next season with Star Forward JT Toppin coming back for his junior season rather than taking their talents to the NBA.

His return puts Texas Tech correctly in the thick of the conversation and can make Red Raiders an attractive destination for players in the transfer portal.

Michigan State +3500

The Spartans lose Jaden Akins and can lose Jase Richardson, but even if they do, Tom Izzo will have a lot of pieces back from last season’s team that went to Elite Eight. With the group expected, if Izzo can get a couple of the younger guys to take the next step, the Spartans can make a move next season.

Texas +6000

A couple of longshots before the season have won over the past decade, so why not roll the dice on one? Texas gets a good coach in Sean Miller, has a certain returning talent (Jordan Pope, Chendall Weaver and Tramon Mark) and has already taken in a couple of transfers (Dailyn Swain and Matas Vokietaitis).

Likely? I don’t hold my breath.

Possible? Sure – and if I lose confidence in the venture, I take the first chance that I get money out.