As the college basketball season approaches next week, the University of Connecticut (UConn) is aiming to achieve a remarkable feat—becoming the first men’s team to secure three consecutive national championships since UCLA’s impressive streak of seven from 1967 to 1973.
At the BetMGM Sportsbook, UConn kicks off the 2024-25 season with odds of +850 to clinch the national title, putting them on par with Kansas for the best odds this season.
On the women’s side, South Carolina is poised to attempt winning back-to-back titles, a feat not achieved since UConn’s run of four consecutive championships from 2013 to 2016. Currently, South Carolina holds the top odds at +150 to repeat their success.
When it comes to betting on the men’s national championship, both UConn and Kansas have seen their odds improve compared to when they opened in the previous spring. UConn’s odds started at +1200, while Kansas began at +1100.
Despite having the most favorable odds, neither UConn nor Kansas holds the title of the most popular team among bettors. Duke, with odds of +900, is attracting significant interest, drawing 14.5% of the total money wagered and representing 13.3% of the tickets sold. UConn follows closely, capturing 13.8% of the money and 10.4% of the tickets. Kansas finishes the top three, attracting 8.5% of the money and 9.9% of the tickets placed.
Other noteworthy teams include Alabama at +1200, with North Carolina, Iowa State, and Baylor each sitting at +2000.
In the women’s championship betting scene, despite South Carolina having the shortest odds, bettors seem to show skepticism regarding their chances to win again. They are currently attracting the fourth-highest amount of money at 14.2% and the fourth-most tickets at 10.5%. In contrast, UConn (+375), USC (+375), and Notre Dame (+900) are receiving more attention from bettors.
The Huskies are drawing the second-highest percentage of money at 21.7% and are also leading in ticket sales with 23.8%. Meanwhile, the Trojans top the charts for money attracted at 25.3% while holding the second-most tickets at 12.4%. The Fighting Irish rank third in both money at 17.3% and tickets at 12.4%. Texas, with odds of +600, is also in the mix but has received only 4.8% of the bets and 1.7% of the money.
When it comes to the Wooden Award, which honors the top player in college basketball, three contenders emerge as favorites. RJ Davis from North Carolina and Mark Sears from Alabama both sit at odds of +700, while Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson follows closely with odds of +750. No other players are listed with odds lower than +1100.
Sears is notably attracting a significant portion of money, representing 29.3% off the total while receiving the second-most tickets at 13.2%. Dickinson has the highest number of bets at 14%, although this only amounts to 5% of the total money wagered. Davis accounts for 5.3% of bets and manages to attract 12.1% of the money.
Cooper Flagg from Duke will also become a contender for the award once he reaches the age of 18 on December 21.