Coming off the heels of another exciting NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, squads across the country are gearing up for another extensive campaign in 2023-24. Last year’s champions, Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies, return as a top contending favorite for the crown next season but are not recognized as the overall favorite. That honor would belong to Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks who had another superior campaign last year but sputtered in the NCAA Tournament. Two other teams to keep an eye on are familiar favorites Duke and Michigan State. The Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament last season but also came up short in the NCAA tournament second round. Meanwhile, the Spartans made it further than the two other teams mentioned, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.
In this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from each of these contenders, a predicted winner, along with more notes and information about NCAA basketball wagering.
| NCAA Basketball Championship Futures |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Duke | +1100 | +1100 | +1100 |
| UConn | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Michigan State | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
The Jayhawks are set for another loaded year with Self in a position to pass Phog Allen (with 11 wins) as the winningest head coach in Jayhawks history. While the leadership of Self, if his health concerns are not an issue, is a huge guiding force for Kansas, the Jayhawks will have to deal with higher-than-usual turnover. Per reports, Kansas has had ten players leave the team, including consensus All-American Jalen Wilson moving on. While there has been an exodus of talent, the Jayhawks brought in the big guns this off-season with Michigan All-American center Hunter Dickinson.
In Jon Scheyer’s first season as head coach, the Blue Devils were able to continue their winning ways and notch another ACC tournament title. Scheyer is well-versed in the Duke methodology and will be looking to improve on the team’s second-round exit against Tennessee. With a record of 27-9 last season, the Blue Devils were able to reload as they normally do and not skip a beat with the retirement of legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski. That said, Duke has not won a national title since the 2014-15 campaign.
The reigning national champions, coach Hurley was able to etch his name among the basketball immortals and establish UConn as a permanent blueblood in college basketball. Thanks to the efforts of forward Adama Sanogo and guard Jordan Hawkins, among others, the Huskies were able to bully their way through the NCAA tournament, winning each game they played in by double-digits. A truly marvelous performance, UConn should return the bulk of its roster next season and, if all goes accordingly, should have another deep run in March.
Another legendary head coach, Tom Izzo will return for his 29th season at the helm so this team should be in prime position for continued success. Michigan State finished with a 21-13 record last season, with an 11-8 mark in the Big Ten but still had some success in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. This marked the school’s 25th straight selection to the NCAA tournament, which marks the longest streak by a coach in men’s basketball ever.
Prediction: Although the Jayhawks lost some solid pieces on their roster, Self has shown a solid track record of continued success and owning Big 12, the Jayhawks will win a title next season.
Once you are all squared away regarding your latest round of NCAA basketball bets, make sure to check out the variety of great resources and info that SBS has for you. For starters, the SBS NCAAB betting sites rundown is a must-read for fans of the sport. Here you can find the latest lines on all kinds of NCAA basketball games. Moreover, as the year turns to the postseason, our March Madness betting strategy guide lays out all kinds of crucial gaming info to keep you on top of the action. On a final note, for those that are looking to maximize their bets, like we all are, the SBS best bonus betting sites breakdown is a page you must bookmark. Here you can find a catalog of the latest welcome bonus offers available.
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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