We have months before the tip-off of the 2017-18 college basketball season, but after draft declarations and some late recruit commitments, we have a new national champion favorite already: Michigan State.
The Spartans return superstar wing Miles Bridges, who is turning down the potential to be a lottery pick for a sophomore year in East Lansing, as well as a number of other strong young players. They also add two blue-chip forward recruits: five-star Jaren Jackson and four-star Xavier Tillman. It’s as stacked a roster as Tom Izzo has had in some time.
The Spartans won’t fly under the radar heading into the season. After opening at 20/1 odds to win next spring’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan State is now the favorite to take it home, per the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. Bettors now get 7/1 odds for the Spartans. Previous favorite Kentucky remains where it started, at 10/1, but is now joined by rival Louisville and Duke.
Here are the full top ten odds at the SuperBook, via CBS Sports:
Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
Michigan State | 20/1 | 7/1 |
Kentucky | 10/1 | 10/1 |
Duke | 12/1 | 10/1 |
Louisville | 12/1 | 10/1 |
Kansas | 12/1 | 12/1 |
Arizona | 20/1 | 12/1 |
North Carolina | 12/1 | 20/1 |
Villanova | 12/1 | 20/1 |
Wichita State | 20/1 | 20/1 |
Florida | 20/1 | 25/1 |