More than 350 schools with 68 teams are competing for this 2023-24 championship across the US. It’s a single-team elimination, so the risks and rewards are high, and only the best will win the National Championship cup and title. In the last championship, we had a true underdog flying under the radar, surprising everyone as the Connecticut Huskies took the title.
Their odds were +8000, but they still made a true Cinderella story. Thankfully, the Kansas Jayhawks are being favored this year, even though the championship has barely started. Winning against NC Central in a landslide match with 99-56, the odds with many offshore sportsbooks, like those in this guide, are currently sitting at +1100 in their favor. Right behind are the Michigan State Spartans with +1200 and the Kentucky Wildcats at +1400.
Teams’ odds are always changing, and many sportsbooks will let you follow and bet on them, as each one climbs higher on the odds board. As their three junior starters return from last season, Kevin McCullar Jr., Kevin Wynn Adams Jr., and Dajuan Harris Jr., the Kansas team is seeking to fill the gaps left by their star shooters Gradey Dick and Jalen Wilson, who both left for the NBA. Hunter Dickinson is joining the Jayhawks at the front court, and with 18.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game average, he can also play excellent defense.
Coupling that with Kevin McCullar Jr and KJ Adams Jr.’s 10 points per game average, and with all three working together, it’s clear why the Jayhawks are the 2023-24 league favorite with oddsmakers. Should they win, it will be their seventh national championship. To challenge their claim for the throne, the Duke Blue Devils, Kentucky Wildcats, Purdue Boilermakers, and Michigan State Spartans are all throwing their hats into the ring.
The Blue Devils are seeking their sixth title, closing in on the Jayhawks with their solid back defense with Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor. Their center play Kyle Filipowski has a 15-point per game average, with a tendency to swipe steals every time he is on the court. Accompanied by fresh, young talent Jared McCain and Caleb Foster, the Devils are definitely among the top 5 teams to watch in this league.
The Michigan State Spartans have only one goal this year, and that’s to score points. This season, their coach Tom Izzo is bringing in all the famous talent back, which pushed the Spartans to the top four. The talented A.J. Hoggard is considered one of the best guards available. He’ll make a comeback to give Tyson Walker room to score his 15 points-per-game average. Another guard has made a returning appearance to the Spartans, and that’s Jaden Akins, making the team’s superior guard play a formidable asset.
Last but not least, the Kentucky Wildcats are still in the run for the top position this season. With big names like the five stars Justin Edwards and Aaron Bradshaw, followed by strong reinforcements from Zvonimir Ivisic and Tre Mitchell, coach John Calipari has plenty of talent to work with and victories to look forward to.
