Updated 2019 College Basketball Championship Odds – January 18th Edition

One of the biggest upsets of the 2018-19 men’s college basketball season took place when Syracuse went to then-#1 Duke and won in overtime. More important than the loss of the game, though, was the loss of guard Tre Jones for the Blue Devils. The defense that he plays was clearly crucial, as Tyus Battle and Frank Howard combined for 48 points for the Orange in Jones’ absence. There is still no timetable for Jones’ return, which could impact Duke’s standing in the ACC and as a top seed as the conference slate goes by. Are you considering doing some sports betting on the futures in college basketball? Take a look at the updated 2019 College Basketball Championship odds for winning the national championship, as well as our thoughts on some of the contenders.

Updated 2019 College Basketball Championship Odds – January 18th Edition

Here is Sunday morning’s updated @CBSSports Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings — featuring Ole Miss at No. 14. 1. Tennessee 2. Duke 3. Virginia 4. Michigan 5. Gonzaga …https://t.co/Xo4RHGZhJC

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) January 13, 2019

Contender Odds to win the 2019 College Basketball Championship

• Duke                                                                                                               2/1
• Gonzaga                                                                                                        6/1
• Michigan                                                                                                        7/1
• Michigan State                                                                                              8/1
• Virginia                                                                                                           10/1
• Tennessee                                                                                                     12/1
• North Carolina                                                                                               15/1
• Kansas, Kentucky                                                                                         18/1
• Nevada, Texas Tech                                                                                     28/1
• Syracuse, Villanova                                                                                      30/1
• Virginia Tech                                                                                                 40/1
• Auburn, Purdue                                                                                            50/1
• Iowa State, Nebraska                                                                                   60/1
• Maryland                                                                                                        70/1
• Buffalo                                                                                                           75/1
• Houston, Mississippi State                                                                          80/1
• Iowa, Marquette                                                                                            85/1

Michigan has emerged as a popular favorite after the injury to Jones. On Saturday, they will play in Milwaukee against Wisconsin, a team that definitely needs a win against a significant opponent to get serious tournament consideration, and then next week they play Indiana on the road. Should Michigan still be undefeated after those games, you’ll see the odds start to narrow for the Wolverines significantly. Tennessee has only lost once, but when they have struggled, they have done so in perimeter shooting. However, getting Lamonte Turner back has made a major difference. He appeared in just three of the season’s first 12 games, going just 5 for 25 from behind the arc in those contests. However, since his return, he has gone 8 for 17 from downtown, and he scored 21 points off the bench on Tuesday. Virginia dealt in-state rivals Virginia Tech a convincing, 22-point loss at home on Tuesday. They head to Duke on Saturday, and we will see if the Cavaliers are for real. The Cavaliers knocked down 10 three-balls against Virginia Tech and put up 44 points before the intermission, and Ty Jerome had a double-double with 14 points and 12 assists. The Cavaliers have the momentum, but can they sustain it at Cameron Indoor? Duke struggles when they have to shoot from the outside, Syracuse beat them by using that patented 2-3 zone to clog the middle — and the Blue Devils hoisted more shots from outside the arc than they took inside it — and they only made 9 of 43 from distance. The loss of Tre Jones to that separated AC joint in his shoulder is a major concern — and should send Duke down the odds table once the bettors catch up. Gonzaga has disappeared into West Coast Conference play, which means their strength of schedule is on the wane. They do have three straight road games including a trip to BYU, and then they host San Francisco and Saint Mary’s. This stretch contains their biggest likelihood of an upset in conference play, but does it matter? Michigan State is playing remarkably well despite missing Kyle Arens and Joshua Langford. Cassius Winston stepped in a major way on Wednesday, delivering 29 points and six assists in the Spartans’ win at Nebraska on Thursday. Sparty has now won 19 consecutive Big Ten games in the regular season, which is why their odds are creeping lower. Kansas has played 17 games this season, and 11 have been decided by single digits. Five of them have been decided by one possession or have gone to overtime. The Jayhawks continue to win the vast majority of those close games (with a 15-2 record), but eventually midnight will strike. I don’t see this team riding that pattern of struggle all the way to a title.