2022 CBB title odds: There's value with the defending champs
The college basketball season may have just come to an end, but that doesn't mean we're done for the year.
With transfers and draft decisions ramping up, we take a look at some of our favorite and least favorite picks for 2022 national championship futures.
Team | Odds |
---|---|
Gonzaga | +900 |
UCLA | +1000 |
Michigan | +1200 |
Purdue | +1300 |
Ohio State | +1400 |
Villanova | +1400 |
Alabama | +1500 |
Houston | +1500 |
Illinois | +1500 |
Baylor | +1700 |
Duke | +1800 |
Kansas | +1800 |
Florida State | +2000 |
Kentucky | +2000 |
Louisville | +2000 |
Maryland | +2000 |
Texas Tech | +2000 |
Virginia | +2000 |
Virginia Tech | +2000 |
West Virginia | +2000 |
Michigan State | +2500 |
Oklahoma | +2500 |
USC | +2500 |
Wisconsin | +2500 |
Arkansas | +3000 |
Creighton | +3000 |
Oregon | +3000 |
North Carolina | +3300 |
Syracuse | +3300 |
Auburn | +4000 |
Clemson | +4000 |
UConn | +4000 |
Drake | +4000 |
Iowa | +4000 |
LSU | +4000 |
Memphis | +4000 |
Oklahoma State | +4000 |
Oregon State | +4000 |
Texas | +4000 |
Arizona | +5000 |
Florida | +5000 |
Georgia Tech | +5000 |
Missouri | +5000 |
Richmond | +5000 |
St. Bonaventure | +5000 |
San Diego State | +5000 |
Stanford | +5000 |
Texas A&M | +5000 |
Xavier | +5000 |
Marquette | +6000 |
St. John's | +6000 |
Saint Louis | +6000 |
Dayton | +6600 |
Indiana | +6600 |
Tennessee | +6600 |
*Only displaying teams with odds 66-1 or shorter
Buy - Baylor (+1700)
Despite being reigning NCAA champions, Baylor sits behind nine other squads for team futures next year. With the squad's four leaders in minutes all departing, including likely first-rounders Davion Mitchell and Jared Butler, it may seem like the Bears will take a major hit.
On the contrary, Baylor has a plethora of options waiting in the wings. Adam Flagler, Matthew Mayer, and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua - three players who played important roles on the championship squad - should develop into go-to options for the Bears. On top of that, Baylor brings McDonald's All-American Kendall Brown aboard along with three other four-star freshmen.
With Scott Drew and company riding high after a thrilling March Madness run, look for them to keep the momentum going.
Buy - Indiana (+6600)
Indiana and new coach Mike Woodson have quietly had an awesome start to the college basketball offseason. Star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis bypassed the NBA draft, four players rejoined the team after flirting with the transfer portal, and the Hoosiers picked up impressive Pittsburgh transfer Xavier Johnson.
Indiana stumbled down the stretch last season, losing its last six games with its anemic offense averaging just 59.5 points per contest over that span. However, with a fresh new voice and a group full of underclassmen stepping up, there's potential here.
While not our favorite pick to win it all, Indiana seems to be undervalued as a deep sleeper that can make some noise next season.
Sell - UCLA (+1000)
Give UCLA all the credit in the world for making a Final Four run as an 11 seed. Just don't expect the Bruins to do it again, especially with the nation's second-best odds to win the title.
Any reason to back the Bruins depends on whether stars Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez Jr. depart for the NBA. Given the incredible boost in stock March Madness gave them, it's hard to envision the pair staying. While steady Tyger Campbell remains and five-star recruit Peyton Watson joins, the losses of Juzang and Jaquez would be too much.
Sell - Ohio State (+1400)
Similar to UCLA, Ohio State's title hopes live and die by NBA draft decisions. With E.J. Liddell already declaring and Duane Washington potentially joining him, the Buckeyes' value takes a major hit.
Between Liddell, Washington, and the graduating seniors, Ohio State would only have one player who averaged over six points per game from last season. While players like Seth Towns, Zed Key, and Meechie Johnson would be in line for much bigger roles, this squad would still lack experience.
At only +1400, you'd be better served to back a team with a more clear picture of the roster.