With the turn of the calendar into 2024, conference play is going to heat up. That also somehow means we are nearly halfway through the college basketball season even though it feels like it just started. Quite frankly, it has been an interesting start with no team really separating themselves as consistently dominant. With that being said, the college basketball future market is juicy. Let’s take a look at some of the best college basketball future wagers with the odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
College Basketball Future Wagers for 2024
Kentucky Wildcats +1400
Kentucky and Coach Calipari are primed for a huge season. This team truly checks every box. They have a great shooter and scorer in Antonio Reeves. Aaron Bradshaw is a stud big who can step out and score, block shots, and defend at a high level. Reed Sheppard does absolutely nothing wrong. We still did not mention a handful of other depth pieces that check multiple boxes as well.
Calipari has to feel really good about where his team is headed. Yes, they have dropped a few games already this season. One was to Kansas without Bradshaw and the other was to UNC Wilmington while trying to get Bradshaw acclimated in the rotation. Sure, losing to UNCW at home is questionable but the Wildcats are the most likely National Champions regardless. They also hope to get star European freshman Zvonimir Ivisic eligible which would take them to another level.
The stats back them up too. They average 91 points per game, turn it over less than 10 times per game, and average nearly 20 assists. They also shoot 41% from deep as a group which is third nationally. Buy stock now.
UConn Huskies +1200
Yes, it is really difficult, if not impossible, to win back-to-back National Championships. However, the Huskies are still loaded. They did lose significant production but the transfer portal and the high school landscape were fruitful. Tristen Newton has been outstanding and is arguably the most improved player in the nation. Last year, point guard was the one area of concern for the Huskies and now Newton is their best player and playing like a first-team All-American.
Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban are steady-eddy and consistently make winning plays. In Spencer’s case, he brings a lot of attitude to the floor and gives the Huskies a jump-start.
Donovan Clingan was supposed to be a top-ten pick and dominate this year. He has started very slowly and struggled to get his footing. A lot of that is because he had a foot injury in the offseason and does not appear to be in game shape yet or even trust his foot. If he can elevate his game, the Huskies will become true title contenders again.
Stephon Castle is a similar story. He is their best freshman and full of talent but injuries are holding him back. If he can stay healthy and get into a nice rhythm as a wing scorer, they become impossible to guard.
The Huskies are flat-out guarding. They have excellent rim protection which really helps but they only give up 64 points per game. The one thing that will slow them down is the lack of three-point shooting. They have capable shooters but they are only shooting it at a 33% clip right now which must improve. Even with that, they still put up 80 points per game.
Purdue Boilermakers +1000
Everyone remembers Purdue dropping a can’t-lose game to Farleigh Dickinson last year. That game made them the second one seed to ever lose in the opening round. The first was Virginia who responded by winning the National Championship the very next year.
Zach Edey is clearly the name associated with Purdue. The big man is well on his way to winning National Player of the Year again. Realistically, the question for Purdue is the same as last year: are the guards good enough? Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer are in their second season and are much more comfortable. Both are averaging double figures and have been very clutch thus far. That was not the case last year.
This would be a play where you are essentially betting on revenge. Purdue should play March Madness with their hair on fire. However, they have been embarrassed in March plenty of times and the revenge has never really happened. If there ever was a time, it would be now. Scoring 87 per game and shooting 40% from three is clearly good enough. But again, guards win in March so Smith and Loyer have to be the reason why.
Florida Atlantic +3000
This one is just a longshot play. Florida Atlantic made noise last year with a Cinderella run to the Final Four. They return nearly the entire roster and have started the season well again.
There is no secret in March Madness. Guards and experience take you a long way. The Owls have that and then some with Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin. These two were outstanding last year as they made their run and are starting to heat up again this year.
Vladislav Goldin has also taken the next step in his development. The issue is his foul trouble and the complete lack of depth behind him. In a physical game in the tournament, any time he spends on the bench is dangerous.
The concern for them is the lack of a true playmaking point guard. They average about 12 turnovers per game which is too many and that comes from having no pass-first player. The other concern is they go through the motions too much. Last year, there was a lot of energy and passion in every moment as the underdog, and now that they are the hunted that has disappeared a bit.
LWOS Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only. These are not meant to be considered guarantees. Bet responsibly and at your own risk.
