2020 NCAA Basketball National Championship Odds: Spartans Still At The Top

We’re still months away from the insanity of March Madness in NCAA basketball and while there have been some slight odds changes for schools near the top, what’s clear is an early loss for the Michigan State Spartans will not bump them from their perch.

The Spartans remain +650 favorites to win the 2020 NCAA National Championship according to online sportsbook Bovada with their only loss this season coming to Kentucky, who is just behind them at +800.

Oddsmakers are taking the same approach for the Kentucky Wildcats after being upset on their home floor by the Evansville Purple Aces but their odds did change slightly from +750 to +800.

The usual suspects of the Duke Blue Devils (+950), Memphis Tigers (+1100), Kansas Jayhawks (+1000), North Carolina Tar Heels (+1400), Louisville Cardinals (+1300) Florida Gators (+1500), Virginia Cavaliers (+2000) and Gonzaga Bulldogs (+2000) to round out the top 10 programs competing for a national championship.

Why Michigan State Remains The Favorite

Playing in the Champions Classic each year since its inception in 2011, the Michigan State Spartans can afford an early loss to a high-end basketball institution like Kentucky and still remain the favorite.

The Spartans weren’t dominated in the opener vs the Wildcats, losing by 7 but it may have shown some flaws that bettors should take note of if backing Michigan State to win the title. The Spartans were very sloppy with the ball with 16 turnovers and while shooting 19.2 percent from behind the arc.

They also are thin at guard with senior Jordan Langford out for the season with a foot injury. These are things to consider come tournament time and them playing on a neutral court.

But since that loss, Michigan State has rebounded and went into hostile territory this past week and knocked off Seton Hall at home with some clutch shooting from three-point range. The Pirates are ranked 12th in the nation so it shows the championship moxie that the Spartans possess.

It makes sense for Michigan State to be favored at this point of the season but their next big test will come on December 3rd when they host the No.2 ranked Duke Blue Devils, which should shift the oddsboard pending that result.

Oregon Makes The Biggest Leap

The odds to win the NCAA basketball national championship will likely change from game-to-game but the Oregon Ducks have seen the biggest jump on the oddsboard since the preseason odds were released.

The Ducks are now +2500 to win the national title after opening at +3500 as they’re undefeated through three games including a huge win over the much-hyped Memphis Tigers at the Moda Center. Oregon’s senior point guard Payton Pritchard is primed to be an All-American this year and is averaging 19 points and 6.7 assists through three games.

The Pac-12 isn’t as competitive as it used to be so the Ducks should be in the driver seat to win their conference and get one of the top seeds in the March Madness tournament.

Another wrinkle that works in Oregon’s favor is they’re likely going to get five-star recruit N’Kaly Dante in December after he reclassified to join the 2020 class. The blue-chip center is one of the top recruits ever for the Oregon program and he could be a game-changer come March.

With odds currently at +2500, it’s not too late to back the green and yellow and their value may be all but gone when Kante joins the lineup.

Odds as of November 16 at  Bovada