The transfer portal is still spinning like a roulette wheel, but that hasn't stopped Vegas from laying down early bets.
FanDuel released its way-too-early odds for the 2026 men’s basketball national champion, and while most of the usual blue bloods are sitting near the top, the order may surprise some fans—especially those in the Bluegrass.
Here’s how the top teams stack up:
Duke: +1000
Houston: +1200
Louisville: +1400
Purdue: +1400
Kansas: +1600
BYU: +1600
Arkansas: +1800
Auburn: +1800
UConn: +1800
Alabama: +1800
Kentucky: +2000
Florida: +2500
Texas Tech: +2500
Michigan: +2500
St. John’s: +2500
Cal ahead of Pope?
Seeing Arkansas listed ahead of Kentucky might feel like a glitch in the matrix. But John Calipari’s move to Fayetteville brought with it a serious haul of talent. Cal is expected to bring in his typical elite freshmen and—true to form—might just build another contender overnight. Whether it’s his final act or a fresh start, Vegas clearly believes he’s not done making noise.
Meanwhile, Mark Pope’s Kentucky team sits at +2000. That’s a touch lower than BBN might expect after a strong finish to the 2024–25 season and some impressive portal pickups. Pope’s early focus has been on toughness, defense, and building a team that won’t fold under postseason pressure.
Injury Questions and Portal Whispers
Pope’s biggest offseason splash, Jayden Quaintance, is now recovering from injury, clouding his availability for the start of the season. And the whispers about Brandon Garrison potentially entering the transfer portal don’t help the stability meter.
There’s still time for Kentucky to reshape its roster, but with top-tier names still moving and rosters in flux, it’s safe to say the odds could shift quickly by July.
Still, if you’re a Kentucky fan looking to throw down a futures bet, this might be the best value you’ll get.
The SEC is loaded (again)
Five SEC teams landed in the top 15: Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, and Florida. Once again, the league looks ready to fight for March dominance, and don’t be shocked if these odds shift as more portal moves shake out.
As for now, Vegas has given us a preview of what it thinks the 2026 season will look like. But in this new era of college hoops, the only certainty is that nothing is certain.