Men's college basketball betting: Three value bets to make on NCAA champion
ESPN••sports
Key Points:
- As conference play begins in 2026, teams' chances of winning the NCAA tournament are being evaluated using KenPom metrics, focusing on top 40 adjusted offensive efficiency and top 25 adjusted defensive efficiency, criteria met by every national champion since 2002.
- Arizona (+850) stands out as an elite shooting and defensive team with strong inside scoring, top-tier offensive rebounding, and a lockdown defense ranked fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency, making them favorites to win the Big 12 and secure a No. 1 seed.
- Gonzaga (+1500) boasts exceptional depth with nine players averaging significant minutes, elite offensive efficiency, strong rebounding, and experience, positioning them as a serious contender under coach Mark Few, who seeks his first
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