March Madness CBB National Title Odds: Duke Makes Move Up Board

Dan Kilbridge | 13 mins

What’s been a relatively calm regular season turned to chaos Saturday, reminding us all that March Madness is just around the corner and nothing in the college basketball betting world is set in stone.
It was a record-setting day in college hoops, with seven top-10 teams – including each of the top six - falling victim to upset losses.
Despite the unprecedented results, the top of the betting board doesn’t look all that much different. Shared misery among the title contenders meant oddsmakers didn’t have to adjust too much, with so many teams showing their flaws at once.
That’s how Gonzaga stayed on top of the board with +400 odds at FanDuel, despite losing its first conference game of the season. It’s also why Kentucky (+700) and Arizona (+750) remained in the second and third spots, with only Duke making a major move up the board to fourth at +1200 odds.
The Blue Devils were one of few top teams who didn’t take a hit on betting apps over the weekend, but Saturday’s slew of surprises served as a great reminder that things are about to get nuts as the calendar finally turns to March.
College Basketball National Championship 2021-22 Odds
Updated: Feb. 28
Team | Odds |
---|---|
Gonzaga | +400 ➜ |
Kentucky | +700 ➜ |
Arizona | +750 ➜ |
Duke | +1200 ➜ |
Auburn | +1300 ➜ |
Purdue | +1300 ➜ |
Kansas | +1400 ➜ |
Baylor | +1400 ➜ |
Villanova | +2400 ➜ |
Texas Tech | +2500 ➜ |
UCLA | +2800 ➜ |
Tennessee | +4000 ➜ |
College basketball odds current as of publication and subject to change.
Gonzaga
Current odds: +400 ➜
The Bulldogs finally fell in conference play during the final WCC game of the regular season, suffering a 67-57 upset at No. 19 Saint Mary’s. Now Gonzaga is already into the semifinals of the WCC Tournament and won’t play again until Monday night.
We thought Gonzaga’s odds might take a hit with a conference loss, but the Bulldogs picked a good day to sneak in under the radar with every team in the top six going down Saturday. It’s not surprising then that oddsmakers aren’t changing their tune on the Bulldogs and still have them posted as a significant favorite at +400. We don’t expect the odds to swing much depending on the WCC Tournament, where Gonzaga could get a rematch with Saint Mary’s in the championship game.
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Kentucky
Current odds: +700 ➜
This Week: Ole Miss (3/1), at Florida (3/5)
Kentucky dropped down to No. 7 in the AP Poll after Saturday’s loss at No. 14 Arkansas, but the Wildcats actually improved their standing at the sportsbooks last week. Oddsmakers moved Kentucky back into the second spot, ahead of Arizona, where the Wildcats are up from +750 a week ago and listed at +700 entering the final week of the regular season in the SEC.
John Calipari’s squad should take care of business this week with games against the unranked Rebels and Gators, and they’ve still got a shot at a No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament amid a three-way tie for second place with Arkansas and Tennessee.
It’s a huge two weeks for the Wildcats, who still have a shot at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Regardless of whether they’re a 1 or a 2, we think they’re fairly priced at sportsbooks right now.
Arizona
Current odds: +750 ➜
This Week: at No. 16 USC (3/1), Stanford (3/3), California (3/5)
Arizona joined the parade of misery for top teams Saturday, standing out with a bad loss at unranked Colorado. The Wildcats stayed at No. 2 in the AP Poll but dropped a spot on the college basketball futures betting board, and they’re now listed third behind Kentucky with +750 ods.
Now it’s gut-check time for the Wildcats as they face a stretch of three games in five days ahead of the Pac-12 Tournament. Tuesday’s road game at No. 16 USC will be telling after Arizona beat the Trojans, 72-63, earlier this season in Tucson.
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Duke
Current odds: +1200 ➜
This Week: at Pittsburgh (3/1), North Carolina (3/5)
It was a great week for Duke on the court and at sportsbooks, with the Blue Devils extending their win streak to seven and moving up on the odds board as one of few top-10 teams to get a win over the weekend.
The Blue Devils jumped from seventh to fourth on the betting board and are now posted with +1200 odds on betting sites. We don’t expect them to drop down any further with remaining games at unranked Pittsburgh and home against the Tar Heels, who the Blue Devils beat by 20 on the road earlier this season.
Duke should lock up a No. 1 seed for the ACC Tournament this week and we think this is still a decent price on the Blue Devils, with odds potentially going shorter if they win out and handle their business to win the conference tournament for the third time in five seasons.
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