One way to know that the NCAA Basketball season is officially here is that there are odds on the opening night games. While there may not be many marquee matchups to watch, the score margin may be of big interest to those that partake in betting.
Using DraftKing Sportsbook as the guide, here are the top 10 odds you should wager on.
*Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change
10. IUPUI (+30) vs Iowa State
Last season, IUPUI was the clear worst team in the country. The Horizon League program finished 3-26 overall (1 win vs a D-I foe) and was the lowest-scoring team in the country. They changed its entire roster, hopefully adding some more capable scorers such as big man Chris Osten and guard Bryce Monroe.
To be clear, I don’t think the Jaguars will be much better; it’s more about the scoring margin being very high for a Cyclones team that was bad offensively last year and should be even worse this season. The frontcourt of Hason Ward and Osun Osunniyi will be elite defensively but don’t provide much scoring and after the loss of Temple transfer Jeremiah Williams, there are now point guard questions. Iowa State will win easily but look for a better effort from IUPUI to keep it within 30 in what should be a low-scoring affair.
9. Purdue-Fort Wayne (+15) vs Michigan
Last season, the Wolverines had a close matchup with Buffalo, a MAC contender. This year’s battle to open the season is against the Horizon League contender in Purdue-Fort Wayne, who ended last season on a major run and returns most of its roster. All six key contributors are back, including Jarred Godfrey and Jaylon Pipkins, as well as big man RA Kpedi, who should make Michigan star big man Hunter Dickinson work for it a little bit.
The Wolverines have a revamped backcourt, including Princeton transfer Jaelin Llewellyn and freshmen, Dug McDaniel and Jett Howard. Against a veteran roster, the Mastodons should make it competitive for a bit before Dickinson takes over for a win. But it won’t be a complete blowout in my eyes.