Perhaps one of the most exciting sporting events of the year, the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament is always must-watch entertainment each March. In the 2022 edition of the tournament at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the Kansas Jayhawks were able to pull away in the final seconds with a thrilling victory over North Carolina, 72-69. This tournament ended with Kansas’ fourth overall championship and head coach Bill Self’s second national title. Though fall has only just begun, SBS has you covered with a futures preview of who will be the next championship team after Kansas in men’s college basketball. There are a couple of notable squads on this list, especially from last year’s Final Four.
For this breakdown, SBS will go over what to look for from each squad, who will win the national championship in 2023, and also some other thoughts about collegiate basketball wagering.
| Odds to Win NCAAB Men's National Championship |  |
|---|---|
| Gonzaga | +700 |
| North Carolina | +750 |
| Kentucky | +1100 |
| Houston | +1100 |
After one of the most successful seasons in school history, Mark Few’s Bulldogs are angling again for their first-ever NCAA championship. During the 2021-22 campaign, Gonzaga was ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation at one point and were able to put together a stout campaign at 28-4 on the season. Posting a 13-1 record in West Coast Conference play, the Zags stormed into the NCAA Tournament with the hopes that this would finally be their year. Alas, it was not meant to be as Gonzaga advanced to the Sweet Sixteen where they were upended by Eric Musselman and his Arkansas Razorbacks. Though the team lost center Chet Holmgren to the NBA Draft, they still have a tremendous roster that includes potential national player of the year Drew Timme at forward.
Runner-ups in last year’s NCAA Tournament, the Tar Heels again field a talented roster for head coach Hubert Davis in his second season. Headlined by NCAA Championship darling, center Armando Bacot, North Carolina has a roster that potentially includes multiplied NBA first-round draft picks. In addition to Bacot, the Tar Heels also will receive significant minutes from guards Leaky Black, Caleb Love, and R.J. Davis. Indeed if the Tar Heels can make a big jump in year two for coach Davis, they will be holding the national championship trophy in Houston.
Coming off a 26-8 season in the SEC, head coach John Calipari is looking for an even bigger splash this season following a disappointing first-round exit in last year’s NCAA Tournament. In what would be a history-making performance, but not in favor of the Wildcats, No. 2 seed Kentucky fell to No. 15-seeded Saint Peter’s, 85-79 in overtime. Though Kentucky fans were certainly dismayed by this result, they still will return a talented roster in 2022, including the additions of two five-star recruits in Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace. Sophomore Daimion Collins will be looking to take on a bigger role for the Wildcats this season as well.
Fresh off a double American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship season in 2022, the Cougars a special dark horse team that could make some noise in March. Ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation last season, Houston has a lot of firepower for head coach Kelvin Sampson to make a strong run this year. Guard Marcus Sasser will be the featured player for the Cougars’ attack and should also make a strong push for a high draft pick in next year’s NBA Draft as well. With this being Houston’s last season in the AAC, the Cougars will certainly be looking to end their tenure on a high note.
Prediction: The Zags are overdue for a championship and Drew Timme is perhaps the most reliable college star since Christian Laettner. Take Gonzaga to finally get over the hump here.
As you are wrapping up your latest round of NCAA basketball wagers, SBS has you covered with a ton of great information to get the most out of your gaming experience. For starters, our NCAAB betting sites rundown is a great place to see all the latest betting markets related to the sport. Moreover, if you are a customer that is uncertain about which payment option works best for them, then checking out the SBS payment methods guide would certainly be worthwhile. Here you can find all kinds of ways to place deposits and wagers for your next betting adventure. Finally, our best bonus betting sites overview is a fantastic resource for those looking to juice up their wagers and get the biggest bang for their buck.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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