Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
The NCAA Tournament is in full swing, and as we’ve grown accustomed to this time of year, we’ve seen historic upsets, epic comebacks and exhilarating game-winning plays. Now, we’re heading into the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight weekend. Now more than ever, betting on a college basketball future depends on matchups and the way the bracket breaks.
We can easily see which teams would play each other in the upcoming rounds, so there may not be a lot of wiggle room within the championship future odds, but there’s still time to plant your flag on one of the remaining teams. Let’s take a look at which teams have the best odds to win the college basketball national championship.
Who Will Win the Men’s College Basketball National Championship?
Below is a list of the schools with the best chances to escape March Madness and win the 2022-23 men’s college basketball national championship.
(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Alabama +320
- Houston +400
- UCLA +850
- Connecticut +900
- Creighton +950
- Texas +1000
- Tennessee +1100
- Gonzaga +1200
- Michigan State +2500
- Kansas State +3000
- San Diego State +4000
- Arkansas +4000
- Xavier +4200
- Miami +5000
- Florida Atalntic +5000
- Princeton +15000
Alabama National Championship Odds
Despite some shaky play late in the regular season, Alabama dominated the SEC tournament and absolutely throttled Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Maryland en route to a Sweet 16 appearance. This Crimson Tide team is the most talented in the country, led by a litany of capable guards and star wing Brandon Miller. If Nate Oats and company have put the off-court turmoil behind them, at least internally, Alabama will be extremely tough to knock off.
Houston National Title Odds
Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars are an experienced and physical force unlike almost any other in the nation. Under Sampson, the Cougars have never been accused of taking nights off, and this team is no different, but this team has the talent to boot with Marcus Sasser taking Houston’s offense to another level compared to last season. Their first 60 minutes of the tournament were definitely concerning, but Houston put together a ridiculous second half against Auburn, outsourcing the Tigers 50-23. This veteran group looks to have the train back on the tracks, and that should scare the rest of the field.
Best Bets to win the College Basketball National Title
If you tailed the picks from the last edition of this article (pre-tournament), you’re sitting on Connecticut (+2000), Texas (+2500) and Creighton (+4000) futures as all three teams are still alive and enter the Sweet 16 as favorites in their respective games.
Alabama (+320)
It’s been clear for the latter half of the season that Alabama is unmatched from a talent perspective. The Crimson Tide play an analytics-friendly style of offense where almost all of their field goal attempts come at the rim or from the three-point line, but they also trot out an unbelievably physical and tenacious defense. They draw San Diego State in the Sweet 16, and I expect them to take care of an overpowered Aztecs team, meaning they’d take on the winner of Creighton and Princeton in the Elite Eight. Creighton has a ton of firepower but is far less consistent than Bama and Princeton would simply be outmatched. Beyond that, Alabama would take on the winner of an East region that is in shambles after Purdue, Marquette and Duke got bounced earlier than expected.
Connecticut (+900)
The Huskies are led by elite depth, great shooting and All-American big man Adama Sanogo. The first half of the season was a rollercoaster, as they started 14-0 and climbed to No. 2 in the AP poll, then lost five of six and seemed headed for a free fall. Since then, UConn righted the ship, making it to the Big East tournament championship game and now the Sweet 16, where they’ll match up with an offensively limited Arkansas squad. From the Elite Eight through the title game, Connecticut would face a tough path, but this team has looked like a top-three team in the country for the entire season with the exception of about one month. If they really are that team that started 14-0 and closed the regular season strong, +900 is still a good bet.
Creighton (+950)
Creighton entered the season as a trendy Final Four pick, played great to start the year, then lost six straight games in November and December, five of which came without star center Ryan Kalkbrenner. Now, Creighton has won its first two tournament games in impressive fashion over teams with elite guards, something that usually takes teams pretty far in March. What the Bluejays lack in bench depth, they make up for in firepower in their starting lineup as they’ve gotten 30-point performances from two different players thus far. This team can compete with anyone offensively but also registered the highest defensive rating in the Big East thanks in large part to the aforementioned Kalbrenner. Creighton is the biggest favorite of any Sweet 16 team this weekend, so they’ll very likely play Alabama in the Elite Eight. However, if Bama got knocked off by San Diego State, Creighton would instantly become my favorite bet to win the title.
Past Winners of the College Basketball National Championship
Here’s a list of the college basketball national champions since 2005.
- 2022 – Kansas
- 2021 – Baylor
- 2019 – Virginia
- 2018 – Villanova
- 2017 – North Carolina
- 2016 – Villanova
- 2015 – Duke
- 2014 – Connecticut
- 2013 – Louisville
- 2012 – Kentucky
- 2011 – Connecticut
- 2010 – Duke
- 2009 – North Carolina
- 2008 – Kansas
- 2007 – Florida
- 2006 – Florida
- 2005 – North Carolina
Where is the 2022-23 Men’s College Basketball National Championship?
The 2023 men’s college basketball Final Four and National Championship will be held in Houston, Texas at NRG Stadium.
Where Can I Bet on the 2022-23 Men’s College Basketball National Championship?
There are tons of legal online sportsbooks in the US. DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM are some of the most popular ones, but FTN will help you check out all the signup offers other books have as well.
Step 1: Set Up a Sportsbook Account
Download any of the sportsbooks linked above, create an account and provide some basic personal information.
Step 2: Make a Deposit
Link your bank account or debit card to your account, or select an alternative method to make a deposit. Be sure to take advantage of any and all deposit bonuses that your sportsbook offers. It’s a great way for new bettors to build up their bankroll.
Step 3: Place a College Basketball Futures Bet
Within your sportsbook, navigate to the men’s college basketball futures section, find the team you think is going to cut down the nets and place your wager.
