2026-27 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Odds: Michigan, Duke Open as Favorites

Congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines on winning the 2025-26 season national championship. But the crowning of a national champion means one thing and one thing only: it’s time to examine the national championship odds for next season.

 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Sportsbooks wasted no time getting odds posted for the 2026-27 season. Of course, now that the season is over, it’s time for programs to reconstruct their rosters as players graduate, move on to the NBA, or hit the transfer portal. So, these odds are certainly subject to change in the days, weeks, and months ahead. But let’s take a look at how they opened and discuss who is worth betting on right now.

If you're looking for more WNBA and sports betting promotions, we have gathered a list of the best sports betting offers here.

NCAA Basketball National Championship Odds, 2026-27

Here are the odds for the top 15 teams at BetMGM as of April 7:

• Duke +800
• Michigan +800
• Florida +1000
• Michigan State +1400
• Arizona +1400
• UConn +1500
• Houston +1700
• Arkansas +1800
• Illinois +2000
• Kansas +2000
• Texas Tech +2200
• North Carolina +2500
• Alabama +2500
• Iowa State +3500
• St. John’s +3500

Defending champs often open as the betting favorite, so it is not shocking to see Michigan on top. Since winning their last title in 2015, Duke has been among the top four with the shortest odds when they opened in ten of the last 11 years. So, again, no surprise.

However, while it is entirely possible the Wolverines go back-to-back, history says probably not. In the long history of the NCAA Tournament, there have been eight occasions where defending champs repeated (counting UCLA’s run of seven straight as one). UConn was the most recent. Otherwise, you have to go back to 2006 and ’07 (Florida).

As tempting as it is to go with one of the top teams towards the top of betting boards, history tells us we should give teams with longer odds a serious shot. Seven eventual winners opened at +2000 or longer since the 2008-09 season. Since then, 12 winners opened at +1000 or longer.

Michigan opened at +2500 odds but shortened to  +1600. So, waiting a few months to get in on the action resulted in winning $900 less (if you bet $100). With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few recommended early picks.

2026-27 National Championship Best Bets: My Pick(s)

Roughly 90% of national championship winners were ranked in the final AP Poll the previous season. Regarding the early betting favorites, they go on to win maybe once every four or five seasons, but it has been a while since they’ve had much luck.

Besides, the odds for the top contenders are unlikely to change much before the 2026-27 season gets underway. So, to maximize your winning potential, my picks will focus on teams with longer odds.

Houston Cougars: +1700

Since the end of their season, a few players have entered the portal, but no one who was a major contributor last season has. They were a relatively young squad, but they will lose a couple of guys to graduation/NBA. But they should have a solid core coming back, and according to early reports, Houston is gearing up to be big spenders in the portal.

The Houston defense is spectacular, but they need to add a prolific scoring option or two if they are to get over the hump next season.

operator-recommendation-box postid=68953 title="Free Picks at Thrillzz " section=socialbetting custom-link="https://affiliates.routy.app/route/264724?affId=3353&ts=5004799" custom-button-text="Claim Now"]

Illinois Fighting Illini: +2000

The Illini had a really good, relatively young roster last season that developed in one of the most efficient offenses in the country (No. 2 according to KenPom) and could also play really good defense (No. 20 according to KenPom). They’ll probably lose Keaton Wagler to the NBA, but otherwise should have a great core coming back for Brad Underwood to build around.

Texas Tech Red Raiders: +2200

The Red Raiders were starting to look like a team that could make some noise up until the moment JT Toppin went down with a season-ending injury. But with him coming back next year, and Texas Tech losing a couple of players to the NBA/graduation and the portal, a solid core remains.

With the right recruits/transfers, Grant McCasland could have that really good team that evolves into a contender in 2026-27.

Honorable mentions:

St. John’s, Iowa State, and Alabama (if they can learn how to play defense).