2026 CBB national championship odds: Familiar faces back in the picture

Houston led Florida for nearly 39 minutes of Monday's national championship. But two days after being the beneficiary of a last-minute collapse, Houston fell victim to one. The Cougars didn't score a single point in the final two minutes, allowing the Gators to storm back and win their third national title in program history.

While the celebration roars on in Gainesville, it's never too early to start thinking about next season. Over 1,500 players are already in the transfer portal, and eliminated teams began assembling next year's roster weeks ago.

It's harder than ever to project which teams will contend for titles with the lack of roster continuity due to NIL and the portal, especially as fewer schools rely on freshmen. (None played in the national championship.) However, the top programs usually reload and contend annually. So, who's favored to cut down the nets in Indianapolis one year from now?

2026 national title odds

Duke is still recovering from a devastating Final Four collapse, but it's expected to return to the mountaintop next season.

Like most years in Durham, North Carolina, there will be excitement entering the winter. Duke has the top-ranked recruiting class, including highly touted twin prospects Cayden and Cameron Boozer. But as we saw this year, inexperience from even the most talented freshmen can lead to late-game horrors.

Tyrese Proctor's and Isaiah Evans' futures are question marks, but the Blue Devils will never struggle to recruit transfers with a war chest of funds.

As Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson expressed following his team's loss, this group was as equipped to cut down the nets as any he's coached. Next year's roster will look different and rely on more freshmen, as the Cougars bring in three top-20 prospects. Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler may return as well. Houston is the best program in the country to not have a national title. With the second-best odds, it will have another opportunity next year to accomplish the ultimate feat.

UConn's failed bid at a three-peat will motivate head coach Dan Hurley to return to glory. After an up-and-down season, the Huskies are bringing back solid players and acquired Georgia's Silas Demary Jr. in the portal. Their ceiling depends on whether Alex Karaban returns or moves on to the NBA.

Nearly all of Purdue's impactful players are expected to return following this year's Sweet 16 trip. The Boilermakers will be back in the title picture with unusual roster continuity and the addition of key transfers.

While Florida fans probably aren't worried about next year's outlook just yet, the Gators are down on the oddsboard. They'll likely lose their four best players: Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard, and Alex Condon. Although a repeat may seem reasonable after UConn's back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, the Huskies made it look easier than it is. There's a reason there have only been two repeat champions this century (Florida was the other in 2006 and 2007).

Louisville's and Michigan's new coaches built foundations for success in Year 1. Both schools have made splashes in the portal, as has St. John's. BYU landed the top-ranked freshman, AJ Dybantsa. With a balanced roster around Dybantsa, the Cougars will earn their fair share of preseason attention and could be in the championship mix.

As is the case every year, some acclaimed teams will fall flat and under-the-radar groups will soar up the rankings and oddsboard. However, it's usually a good bet that the blue bloods will be in the picture.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.