The 2026 NCAA Tournament’s early national championship odds have been released by FanDuel, giving a glimpse into which teams are expected to contend for the title. While most attention is on the current season’s national championship game, the 2025-2026 season is already on the radar for college basketball fans and analysts.
Top Contenders:
– Duke Blue Devils (+1000) : Duke is expected to bounce back after a near miss at this year’s title game. The team boasts the No. 2 recruiting class, including the highly regarded Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, ensuring another competitive season in Durham.
– Houston Cougars (+1200) : Houston is a perennial powerhouse under Kelvin Sampson. Regardless of the outcome of their current season, they are expected to be a top contender in 2026.
– Louisville Cardinals (+1400) : Coach Pat Kelsey has quickly turned around Louisville, which has strengthened its roster through the transfer portal, with notable additions like Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely. They are also backed by substantial NIL funds.
– Purdue Boilermakers (+1400) : Purdue remains a consistent tournament threat, with coach Matt Painter’s leadership. Despite their recent tournament heartbreaks, they are expected to remain strong next season.
– Kansas Jayhawks (+1600) : Although Kansas has faced early exits in recent years, their legacy under coach Bill Self keeps them in the championship conversation. With ongoing roster changes, they are expected to make a competitive push in 2026.
– BYU Cougars (+1600) : BYU has made waves, reaching the Sweet Sixteen and bringing in top recruit AJ Dybantsa. Expectations are high for the Cougars heading into 2026.
Other Notable Teams:
– Arkansas Razorbacks (+1800) : After a strong late-season surge, Arkansas is expected to carry that momentum into next season.
– Auburn Tigers (+1800) : Despite a tough Final Four exit, Auburn has a strong recruiting class and roster retention in the works.
– UConn Huskies (+1800) : Coming off a national title run, UConn is still expected to compete for another championship, even after a disappointing early exit this season.
– Alabama Crimson Tide (+1800) : With coach Nate Oats at the helm, Alabama has been building towards a national championship, and their mix of experienced players and portal additions makes them a top contender.
Other teams with significant odds include Kentucky (+2000), Tennessee (+3000), Gonzaga (+3000), and Arizona (+3500), with more teams like North Carolina and Baylor coming in at +5000. The 2026 season promises to be a thrilling competition for the championship.
