One month removed from this past March Madness tournament, the college basketball rosters for the 2025-26 season are becoming more solidified by the day. There are still a few high-profile players in the transfer portal, and we’re still waiting until the June 15th deadline to see which players will withdraw their names from the NBA Draft. Nonetheless, the majority of commitments for the upcoming season have been made, which means there is already value in futures odds for next season.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Winner 2026
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
- Duke +850
- Purdue +1100
- Houston +1200
- UConn +1600
- Louisville +1700
- Kansas +1700
- BYU +1700
- Kentucky +2000
- Texas Tech +2000
- Michigan +2000
The BYU Cougars were a pleasant surprise in Head Coach Kevin Young’s first year at the helm. The team finished the year 26-10, making a Sweet Sixteen appearance with wins over VCU and Wisconsin. The Cougars were eliminated by Alabama, which set an NCAA Tournament record with 25 made threes in the game.
Coach Young will be looking to build upon their Sweet Sixteen run next season, and he’s undoubtedly putting together the roster to do it. Two key starters have announced they’re returning, in last year’s leading rebounder Kebe Keita (7.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG) and leading scorer Richie Saunders (16.5 PPG). Saunders averaged 22.0 PPG during the NCAA Tournament, and his experience and leadership will be key for the Cougars next year.
BYU also boasts the 8th ranked recruiting class in the nation, which includes the #2 ranked player in the country in AJ Dybantsa and the #33 ranked player in Xavion Staton. On top of his high school recruiting, Coach Young has secured the 11th-ranked transfer portal class in the nation. One of the most highly touted names in the portal, Rob Wright averaged 11.5 PPG and 4.2 APG in his freshman year at Baylor, and he projects to lead one of the nation’s most dangerous backcourt duos with Richie Saunders.
Between Wright, Saunders, and Dybantsa, the Cougars will have a three-headed monster offensively. Additionally, BYU’s roster will complement its scorers with size and depth, which is a necessity in March.
At the long pre-season odds of +1700, getting onboard the BYU train now could pay dividends next April if everything goes to plan for Coach Kevin Young and company.