Kansas State And Arkansas To Contend Again This Season

Chris Wassel
By , Updated on: May 27, 2023 08:00 PM
Kansas State And Arkansas To Contend Again This Season

There is still more than five months until the 2023-24 college basketball season! Teams are not even close to coming together. However, at Online Sports Betting, we look at some of the colleges who could catch some eyes when it comes to the bettors. So, first, we look at NCAA Basketball Future Bets featuring a few colleges and universities. Again, do not forget that Division I colleges start playing games that count in early November.

  • WHAT: 2024 NCAA Basketball Futures For OnlineSportsBetting
  • WHEN: November 6th, 2023 - April 8th, 2024
  • WHERE: Colleges across the United States in Division 1
  • WHY: An early look at the futures' betting landscape

The bettors love early speculative numbers. The NCAA Basketball Future Bets spotlight some teams a bit further down the pecking order. Now, betting on NCAA College Men's basketball futures is challenging. After all, teams like Kentucky, Texas and others are +1400 or longer. Here is a quick table for the top teams so far, thanks to Bovada Online Sportsbook.

NCAA 2023-24 Title Futures MayBetOnlineMyBookieBovada
Kansas+900+1000+1200
Duke+1000+1000+1100
UConn+1400+1200+1400
Michigan State+1600+1500+1800
Houston+1800+1800+2000
Gonzaga+1800+1800+2200
Kentucky+1800+1800+1300
Marquette+2000+2000+1600
Texas+2000+2000+2200

NCAA Basketball Future Bets Leery About Kentucky

NCAA Basketball Future Bets are leery about Kentucky. So, what happened with North Carolina last year? Remember, the Tar Heels were a possession away from winning the 2022 National Championship. Then, everything fell apart in 2023. Little went right. Carolina had one Quad I win the entire season and missed the NCAA Tournament entirely. They were a team heavily hyped all preseason and even early in 2023.

Despite that, Kentucky generates the same type of vibes despite what was a less-than-stellar campaign for them. Yes, the Wildcats made the tournament. However, they fell to Kansas State in the second round after surviving a scare from Providence. A 22-12 record hardly is cause for optimism this season.

Another problem for the Wildcats is academic. Kentucky boasts a mere seven players on scholarship for the upcoming season. That's not good. Despite this, Kentucky is seeing numbers as short as +1300 on Bovada. Yikes! At least, most sites have the Wildcats nestled around +1800. Even then, this is a team that may struggle to make the NCAA Tournament once again.

Let's do this for Kentucky. Wait on any wagers until the John Calipari roster gets closer to some kind of completion. In the meantime, stay far, far away!

Creighton And UConn Were Two Value Teams Last Year

The NCAA Basketball Future Bets liked Creighton and UConn as two value teams last year. Now, Creighton had their streaky nature but a team that could pile up some points. UConn carried pace but struggled in their own conference too often. Teams have flaws and yet these were two of the best teams in the NCAA Tournament. Creighton was a possession away from the Final Four while UConn won the National Championship.

For those wondering, Creighton came in at +5500 this time last year and UConn was at +7500. Even to make the Elite Eight, both teams would have paid off handsomely. Yes, North Carolina missed. Even Arkansas missed. Again, only one college can win the whole thing. Consider all the Division I schools out there and this is quite a challenge but a fun one!

Some lessons have evidently been learned because even with lesser rosters, Creighton comes in at +3300 early. As for UConn, the Dan Hurley squad drops in at +1400. They are most peoples' third choice on the board behind stalwarts like Kansas and Duke. Hurley's system translates well to his talent. Without too much of a drop-off, UConn figures to be tournament ready again at the right time.

Again, do not go overboard early. Numbers this time of year typically do not move a lot unless something newsworthy breaks. Do not panic!

NCAA Basketball Future Bets Still Like Arkansas?

So, NCAA basketball future bets still like Arkansas. The rationale is that Arkansas is another one of those teams that plays a more tournament style type of game. For better or for worse, their method of attack works. The Razorbacks will only get better. Remember, they took out Illinois and then Kansas last year. Unfortunately, Arkansas went ice cold against UConn and got hammered by 23 points in the Sweet 16.

The squad improved early in the transfer portal but more importantly, Eric Musselman has a good history at Arkansas already. During the past three seasons, the Razorbacks have reached the Elite Eight twice and Sweet 16. It is a team knocking on the door and will not take much to break into the Final Four and maybe beyond.

There is a belief that at +2200 to +2500, Arkansas is being shorted some here. Maybe, they are. At the very least, this is a very good team on paper heading into an SEC that may be a little weaker on the surface. Arkansas might even win the SEC this season. They are a college expected to come close to 30 wins when the 2023-24 season comes to a close.

Arkansas Razorbacks To win the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Title
+2500
Bovada

Do Not Sleep On Kansas State

Finally, NCAA Basketball Future Bets says do not sleep on Kansas State. This team lost two of their best players in Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell. Jerome Tang shocked many with these pickups last seasons as these Wildcats had lots of bite on the way to the Elite Eight.

With long prices on Kansas State (some around +5500), no one should doubt what Tang can do. After all, he has time on his side and experts probably will push the Wildcats a bit down the Big 12 list. That's good for value.

Kansas State To win the 2024 Men's College Basketball Title
+5500
Bovada

Online Sportsbook Reviews To Consider

Please understand this time of year starts to get light. Now, consider more online sportsbook reviews where the futures may be more in your favor. Good luck!

Meet the author

Chris Wassel

Chris Wassel is a veteran sports writer with over 20 years of experience publishing thoughtful analysis and insightful perspectives on everything from hockey to basketball, football, and more. As a seasoned journalist, Chris has established himself as a leading voice o...

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