2025 NCAA Basketball Championship Odds: Houston the Favorite, Others Close Behind
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Doug Upstone
- July 9, 2025
A new men’s college basketball season will be here before you know it. With the Florida Gators crowned champions after a historic season for the Southeastern Conference, they were expected to slide.
As you can see, their fall was not as precipitous as expected. Here are the top men’s college basketball teams for this upcoming season as of July 10 from Bovada (visit our Bovada Review).
2025 NCAA Basketball Championship Odds
Cougars
It was another gut punch for Houston, who, starting last December, played like the best team in the country until not scoring for the last 125 seconds to fall by two points to Florida.
Returning Milos Uzan (11.4 PPG) and Emanuel Sharp (12.7 PPG) is a good place to start. If freshmen Isiah Harwell and Chris Cenac Jr. (Top 15 recruits) turn out to be as good as expected, maybe this will finally be coach Kelvin Sampson’s year.
Nova Wildcats
Have to be honest, Villanova’s odds at some of the top-rated sportsbooks don’t match even predictions for the Big East in reviewing various sites.
The Wildcats, with new coach Kevin Williard, are forecasted anywhere from #3 to #7 in the Big East, so this number seems way too low. It appears Williard might use four guards, which could create mismatches, but hard to back an uncertain situation before the season.
Blue Devils
Duke enters with potential rather than proven ability.
Coach Jon Scheyer brought a highly decorated Cameron Boozer. Some scouts like the ceiling of freshmen A.J. Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson better, but Boozer will make an immediate impact. Again, the odds appear low, and it’s best to revisit Duke once we have more data.
Best NCAA Basketball Betting Sites
| SPORTSBOOK | TRUST SCORE | BONUS | ONLINE SINCE | Bet Now |
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$250 Free Bet
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2001
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$750 Cash Bonus
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20% Cash Bonus
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2001
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55% Cash Bonus
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2001
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$500 Cash Bonus
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$500 Cash Bonus
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1983
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Boilermakers
Though Matt Painter has always been a consistent winner, he’s seldom gotten close to the big prize.
Some sharp bettors think Braden Smith (15.8 PPG) and Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 PPG), paired with South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff (17.6 PPG), could send Purdue to the Final Four if Painter can discover a solid eight-deep or more rotation.
Huskies
Coach Dan Hurley’s formula in winning back-to-back national titles was a great point guard, wing shooters, and big men in the paint for offense and defense.
Last year, Hurley didn’t have the right point guard, but likely will with Silas Demary Jr. (from Georgia). If Hurley keeps his sizable ego in check and coaches rather than speaks, Alex Karaban (14.3 PPG), Solo Ball (14.4 PPG), among others, could have fantastic years.
Red Storm
As good as St. John’s was last year, shooting became their undoing in the Big Dance.
Rick Pitino will look to instill his defensive mentality with a number of transfers who scored more than 11 PPG with their previous clubs. You never know how transfers will mesh, but trusting Pitino is usually the right choice.
Gators
Coach Mike White had arguably the best scoring (clutch) backcourt in the country a year ago on his way to picking up the hardware. Those individuals have largely departed.
However, adding ultra-talented (if sometimes turbulent) Boogie Fland from Arkansas was a super addition. White understands guards; thus, if he develops Bland’s skills for Florida, it could be a better season for players like:
- Thomas Haugh (9.8 PPG)
- Alex Condon (10.6 PPG)
- Xaivian Lee (16.9 PPG)
KY Wildcats
Mark Pope is an offensive coach, and he has a keen eye for finding accurate shooters who fit his system.
To reach the top of the SEC, let alone win a national championship, the defense has to perform better everywhere on that side of the ball. Hard to pick Kentucky until we see that change.
Jayhawks
The last few seasons, Bill Self has not gotten as many players who are two-way performers. Self will teach the defense, but if a player is an average shooter, without flawed mechanics, there is only so much you can do.
Freshman guard Darryn Peterson at 6’6 can score from anywhere and has the skill to make those around him better. Kansas lacks enough shooters at this time, expected to suit up in Lawrence.
Wolverines
Coach Dusty May’s first year in Ann Arbor was a real success. To reach the next level, May needs a greater commitment on defense, because it’s a given he will have enough scorers and quality net-rippers for the offense.
UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg will run the show, and he should thrive in Michigan’s offense.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
