2024 College Basketball title odds: UConn favored; Houston, Purdue closing in

College Basketball

Updated Mar. 17, 2024 8:55 p.m. ET

March Madness is finally here!

From a betting perspective, the defending champion UConn Huskies (28-3) continue to be the favorites to win the men’s college basketball national title (+420), but the Houston Cougars aren’t far behind (+550).

UConn defeated Marquette 73-57 on Saturday to win the Big East Conference Tournament, while Houston lost to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament final, 69-41.

The Cyclones made a big jump up the oddsboard with the win, going from +3000 to +2000.

Purdue (26-3) sits in third, remaining at +700 odds, while Auburn jumped from +3000 to +1700 after winning the SEC Tournament on Sunday.

Let’s look at the latest FanDuel Sportsbook odds to cut down the nets in Phoenix, with insight from FOX Sports college basketball reporter John Fanta.

2023-24 NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TITLE ODDS: *

UConn Huskies +420 (bet $10 to win $52 total)

Houston Cougars +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)

Purdue Boilermakers +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)

Arizona Wildcats +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)

Tennessee Volunteers +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)

Auburn Tigers: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total)

North Carolina Tar Heels: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)

Creighton Bluejays: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)

Iowa State Cyclones: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)

Marquette Golden Eagles: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)

Illinois Fighting Illini: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)

Kentucky Wildcats: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)

Alabama Crimson Tide: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)

Kansas Jayhawks +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)

Baylor Bears: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)

Duke Blue Devils +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)

* odds as of 3/17/24

Of the top four seeds, who has the most favorable draw?

FOX Sports’ College Basketball Reporter John Fanta had some early thoughts.

For starters, this region is the latest evidence that the committee doesn’t pay attention to conference tournaments as much as we think, because Iowa State wasn’t even close to the 1-line and Auburn didn’t rise to the 3-line after winning the SEC Tournament. To answer this question specifically, I truthfully believe UConn will be untouchable in this region. Honestly, the draw is more challenging than it should be with Big 12 Tournament champion Iowa State, Big Ten Tournament champion Illinois and the Tigers to round out the top four. But, there’s no conceivable way the Huskies don’t make it to the Sweet 16 in Boston. I do get that Auburn, with a KenPom rating of 4 and an elite defense, could give the Huskies some fits with the way they guard but I don’t think it’s definitive that Auburn gets to the second weekend because I despise their draw. As much as I want to say Iowa State would challenge the Huskies more, I still would rather play the Cyclones than 2-seeds Tennessee or Arizona. Yes, I’m well aware that Iowa State crushed Houston in the Big 12 Tournament championship game but I still have some concerns about their offense.

Follow along with FOX Sports for all the March Madness action!