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How far can Cam Boozer carry Duke? (1:13)
Seth Greenberg discusses how far Cameron Boozer can lead 1-seed Duke in the NCAA tournament. (1:13)
David PurdumMar 16, 2026, 10:32 AM ET
- Joined ESPN in 2014
- Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008
Five teams -- Duke, Michigan, Arizona, Purdue and Houston -- were national title favorites at different points of the college basketball season. With the NCAA men's tournament field set, three teams have separated themselves in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
Duke is the favorite at +300 at DraftKings Sportsbook, followed by fellow No. 1 seeds Michigan (+360) and Arizona (+390). Defending national champion Florida, the fourth No. 1 seed, is +750. No other team has odds shorter than +1000.
FanDuel's sportsbook has Arizona as the favorite, but the Blue Devils have the shortest odds at most sportsbooks.
Duke is the pre-tournament favorite for a second straight year and the 10th time overall, tying North Carolina for the most tournaments as the favorite since 1979, according to ESPN Research. The pre-tournament favorite has won eight of the last 20 tournaments.
Duke will not be at full strength when it tips off the tournament against 16-seed Siena. Starting center Patrick Ngongba and starting guard Caleb Foster both sat out the ACC tournament with foot injuries, but Duke won the conference tournament despite their absence.
Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer has said that Ngongba is further along in his rehab than Foster, but both could return at some point during the NCAA tournament.
More bets have been placed and more money wagered on Michigan to win the national title this season than any other team at DraftKings. The Wolverines, Duke and Arizona account for approximately 37% of the money bet on DraftKings' odds to win the national championship.
"Among the favorites, UConn, Florida and St. John's are our biggest liabilities to win the tournament," Michael Ranftle, senior trader for BetMGM, said in a company release. "Duke and Arizona have been popular with bettors but are the best outcomes of the title contenders for the sportsbook."
BetMGM reported taking $50,000 bets on Houston at +900 and on Arizona at +450 earlier this season, but the largest bet the book reported is on Purdue -- $100,000 on the Boilermakers to make the Final Four at 6-1 odds.
