The 2022-23 college basketball season is just around the corner and as amazing as it is to see North Carolina (+1100) at the top of the board, we are equally used to the likes of Kentucky (+1200)Y Gonzaga (+1100) being favorite to win the title. And with or without Coach K, there’s always Duke (+1500).
Below we have updated the March Madness betting odds from the best online betting sites available, plus offers available from some of those sportsbooks and some NCAA basketball programs to watch out for this season.
2022-23 College Basketball Championship Odds
For more information related to betting on college basketball this season, check out the following:
March Madness 2023 betting odds: Blue Bloods UNC, Kentucky and Duke among the favorites
It may seem like it’s too early to look at the odds of March Madness 2023, but this is a time of year when you can get excellent value compared to a couple of months from now, and certainly compared to mid of the season in most cases.
It’s no surprise to see the top shows we normally see ranked pretty high each season, but the favorites to cut the networks next April are (according to Caesars Sportsbook odds):
north carolina tar heels+1100 or better)
The Tar Heels return to the core of a team that led by 15 points in the national title game. That includes team captains RJ Davis, Caleb Love and Armando Bacot, the latter of whom returns for his senior season as an NBA lottery prospect and ACC Player of the Year favorite after tying Carolina’s record. double-doubles in the regular season.
Pete Nance is a huge transfer for Carolina after he also got his name out of the NBA Draft and is coming over from Northwestern to join this team in their effort to win just one more game than they did a season ago.
While +800 is a low number, it’s easy to see why UNC ranks high on everyone’s list for 2022-23. Also, you can find this group at +1100 if you search hard enough.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1100 or better)
Freshman superstar Chet Holmgren left for the NBA and was picked second overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but three starters from a team that spent most of the 2021-22 season as the No. 1 team in the country.
This includes Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton and, of course, Drew Timme, who could win the John R. Wooden Award as the most outstanding college basketball player in the country this year.
Southern Conference Player of the Year Malachi Smith also transfers from Chattanooga and will join five-star recruits Hunter Sallis and Efton Reid in an effort to help that core make sure Gonzaga is No. 1 at end of next year’s season as well.
Kentucky Wildcats (+1200 or better)
John Calipari has added instant offense by transferring Antonio Reeves from Illinois State and getting five-star recruit Chris Livingston from Oak Hill Academy to commit.
If rising star Jacob Toppin can take the next step in his development, Kentucky should look like the No. 2 seed once again. It already has Wooden Award winner Oscar Tshiebwe, who dominated with 17.3 PPG and 15.1 RPG last season.
We’re willing to bet Kentucky has a chip on its shoulder and will be a force in the SEC, and you can be sure they won’t drop to the No. 15 seed for the second straight year, too. In fact, it’s been three straight disappointing finishes for Kentucky, if you believe in a program that needs to bounce back while you have the training and talent to pull it off.
houston cougars (+1400 or better)
Marcus Sasser helped Houston reach the Final Four in his second season before the Cougs lost to Baylor. A toe injury derailed his junior year and he only played 12 games, so he withdrew from the NBA Draft and will return for his senior year with plans to score enough to make the Cougars national title contenders.
Plus, this Houston team is suddenly deep after adding Texas Tech transfer Mylik Wilson along with standout freshmen Jarace Walker and Terrance Arceneaux.
Duke Blue Devils (+1500 or better)
Jon Scheyer will replace legendary manager Mike Krzyzewski in what is sure to be an interesting season at Durham. The Blue Devils are still in the top five teams when it comes to the odds board, having added the top two high school recruits in the country and another five-star recruit considered to be in the top ten.
Dereck Lively, Dariq Whitehead and Kyle Filipowski should start for the Blue Devils this season, along with transfer from Illinois and shooting standout Jacob Grandison. This is a terrifying prospect for anyone else looking to compete for a National Championship.
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2023 March Madness dark horses, contenders: watch Villanova, Baylor to come back strong
For each favorite, there’s a team (or teams) waiting in the wings as potential options with higher payout odds when you compare lines on most sports betting apps. If you’re looking beyond the top of the board, consider these teams:
Kansas Jayhawks (+1800 or better)
No, a defending champion blue blood team isn’t exactly dark material, but this team lost Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun in the NBA,
They bring back Jalen Wilson and get Texas Tech transfer Kevin McCullar to play hard on both ends of the floor along with five-star recruits Gradey Dick and Ernest Udeh to help them get back to the Final Four.
Baylor Bears (+2000 or better)
A year after winning the national championship, Baylor returns to backcourt partners Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer while adding a top-10 prospect in Keyonte George. If the Bears can avoid injuries, they have every chance to dominate the Big 12 game once again and earn a high tournament position. At +2000, this team is worth checking out if you’re splitting money between some contenders.
Villanovan Wildcats (+5000 or better)
The 2016 and 2018 champions are coming off a Final Four appearance and the roster hasn’t changed much, though you wouldn’t know based on +5000 odds at Caesars.
They add in FIBA U18 Americas Championship standouts Cameron Whitmore and Mark Armstrong, making a Final Four team even better. Nova is routinely the class of the Big East, a conference many are excited to have six or seven teams in the ball this time.
Rutgers, Seton Hall and St. John’s
For anyone located in New York or New Jersey, there’s definitely some excitement around the college basketball season, whether you’re rooting for Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John’s, or a smaller program like St. Peter’s or Monmouth, among others. .
While the Big Three play in larger conferences, the competition also means that none of these teams are favorites to win their respective leagues. That said, you can still find odds for Seton Hall (+900) to win the Big East, and the same for St. John’s (+2,500). When it comes to the Big Ten, Rutgers (+4000) offers a decent payout.
Keep in mind that not all futures bets are good bets and even if you want an interest rooted in the season, it’s important to be realistic and control the amount you bet, especially on long odds.
If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.
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