Purdue Named Top Betting Favorite for 2025-26 College Hoops

UPDATE: The Purdue Boilermakers are making headlines as the top betting favorite for the upcoming 2025-26 men’s college basketball season. Ranked No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press poll for the first time, Purdue’s national championship odds stand at an impressive +850 on ESPN BET, making them the consensus favorite among bettors.

The Boilermakers, fresh off a strong offseason, are drawing significant attention and support, particularly for their star player, Braden Smith, who is favored to win the Wooden Award at +400. Following last season’s runner-up performance, the Houston Cougars trail closely behind with +1000 odds, while Duke and UConn are also in the mix at +1100 and +1200, respectively.

The surge in Purdue’s odds marks a significant shift from their position during the 2025 national championship game in April. Their offseason efforts, including the retention of three key players and strategic acquisitions through the transfer portal, have set the stage for a promising season. According to Patrick Berbert, a Caesars college basketball trader, “There’s been a lot of offseason buzz around Purdue… they’ve been the popular team it seems so far.”

As the college basketball landscape shifts, the transfer portal continues to play a pivotal role in shaping preseason odds. “Teams are balancing adding talent with roster continuity and chemistry,” noted Adrian Horton, senior director at ESPN BET. “On paper, a re-tooled team may look like an upgrade, but we need to see it in game action.”

While Purdue garners heavy betting support, Duke’s odds have lengthened after losing all five starters, including top NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg. Currently, 8.1% of bets are backing Duke at BetMGM, but only 6.4% of the money indicates a lack of confidence in their revamped lineup.

Houston, maintaining its status as the second favorite, has received 13.6% of the bets at ESPN BET, making it a strong contender as the season approaches. Last year’s national champions, the Florida Gators, are positioned at +1600 odds, a notable rise from +6000 last season, but they have attracted moderate action from bettors.

As the season kickoff approaches, experts highlight the potential for sleeper teams to emerge. “Most years, there is a sleeper team out there that wasn’t expected to do well and they’ll play really well early on,” Berbert remarked, underscoring the importance of agility in betting markets.

With the season starting soon, all eyes will be on Purdue as they aim to live up to their newfound expectations while other teams scramble to establish themselves in the competitive landscape of college basketball. Fans and bettors alike are eagerly waiting to see how these dynamics unfold on the court.