The 2023-2024 College Basketball season will open up on Monday. The season is sure to be a fun one, we are excited to see the progress of both the Arizona Wildcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Wildcats get their party started on Monday with a home game against Morgan State. The Wildcats come into the season ranked 12th in the nation, and one of the teams to beat in the Pac-12 Conference. Arizona is listed at -31.5, with a total of 156 points.
For Arizona State, it could be a different story, as they will start their season on a neutral court. The Sun Devils and Mississippi State will tip off on Wednesday in Chicago at the Wintrust Arena. Let’s take a look at the betting odds to win the National Title for both teams, and also give a few of the favorites as the season is set to tip off:
Arizona Wildcats +2000
Tommy Lloyd is back for this third season at the helm in Tucson. This could be his best team yet. Caleb Love came over from North Carolina, and should help the offense, while Keshad Johnson was a little behind the scenes for San Diego State last season. Those two should get into the starting lineup right away.
This will be the final season for the Wildcats in the Pac-12, so there certainly is plenty of motivation all the way through the season. The knack on the Wildcats has been their early exits in the NCAA Tournament. That played out last season as they were downed by Princeton in the first round of the dance. The Wildcats are +2000 to win the title this season.
Kansas Jayhawks +1000
The Kansas Jayhawks had a good squad coming in, but now Hunter Dickinson came to finish his College Basketball career. This Jayhawks team is going to be athletic and have a true presence in the post. Obviously, with one of the better coaches in College Basketball at the helm, this program knows how to get it done when it comes to the Big Dance. Kansas comes into the season as the favorite out of the Big 12, and +1000 to win the national title.
Duke Blue Devils +1100
The first season without Coach K saw the Blue Devils win 27 games. They also came away with the ACC Conference Tournament title. Kyle Filipowski, Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell are all back, and a class full of talented recruits this team could be really good. Duke is looking to get back to the Sweet 16 following their frustrating loss in the second round a season ago to Tennessee.
Purdue Boilermakers +1200
Head Coach Matt Painter is going to turn to his big man Zach Edey to get them through the rugged Big Ten, and hopefully through the NCAA Tournament. This is a team that is going to be hungry following their early NCAA Tournament exit a season ago. The Boilermakers are small favorites in the Big Ten over Michigan State. Purdue can be had at +1200 to win the National Title in 2024.
Kentucky Wildcats +1400
You cannot have teams to consider to win the National Championship in College Basketball without John Calipari and his Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats have a couple of the top players in College Basketball with Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner. Those two are going to go along with Aaron Bradshaw, Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves. That’s a bunch of talent on one team. Kentucky is the big favorite in the SEC, and come into the season at +1400. The next best threat in the SEC is the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Michigan State Spartans +1500
Coach Izzo has a little bit of everything on his roster this season. He has talent, experience, and solid guard play. We all know Izzo is going to have toughness as well. Tyson Walker and Malik Hall are coming back, with AJ Hoggard and Jaden Atkins. This is going to be a fun team to watch and follow along with. They should be considered pretty neck and neck with Purdue when it comes to Big Ten contenders.
UConn Huskies +1600
Do not forget about the defending champions. The Huskies ran through the NCAA Tournament with wins by 13+ points in every game. The Huskies did lose both Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins, but Stephon Castle, and several other solid recruits should help make up for the loss. This team is listed at +1600 to win the national title.
Arizona State Sun Devils +15000
With the NCAA Final Four in their own backyard, that should be some great motivation for the Sun Devils coming into the season. A season ago, Coach Hurley and his team won their first round NCAA Tournament game over Nevada, and then fell by two to TCU. The Sun Devils went 11-5 in college games, and are hoping that carries over to the new season. There will be new faces playing for the Sun Devils, but expect them to be competitive right from the tip.
We hope this gets you ready for the next major Arizona sports season — College Basketball. Best of luck and enjoy!
