Purdue Boilermakers Named Preseason Favorites for 2025-26 Season

UPDATE: The Purdue Boilermakers have officially been crowned the preseason favorites to win the 2025-26 NCAA men’s basketball national championship, as confirmed by the latest odds from ESPN BET. With a remarkable preseason ranking of No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for the first time, expectations are sky-high for Purdue as they head into the season.

Bookmakers have placed Purdue at +850 odds, making them the consensus favorite ahead of last season’s runners-up, the Houston Cougars, who stand at +1000 odds. Duke follows closely at +1100, while UConn and Kentucky complete the top five with odds of +1200 and +1500, respectively.

The Boilermakers’ surge in odds follows a highly productive offseason, bolstered by the return of key players and the addition of new talent. Preseason Wooden Award favorite Braden Smith, with odds of +400, is expected to lead the charge. “There’s been a lot of offseason buzz around Purdue with them bringing three players back and addressing some weaknesses in the portal,” said Patrick Berbert, a Caesars college basketball trader.

Purdue has captured the highest share of championship bets at both ESPN BET and BetMGM, highlighting their popularity among bettors. The team’s momentum contrasts sharply with Duke, which opened as the favorite for the 2026 national championship but saw its odds lengthen after losing all five starters, including No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, to the NBA Draft. Despite Duke’s strong betting support at 8.1% of bets at BetMGM, they have only secured 6.4% of the total money wagered.

Houston, maintaining its status as a strong contender, has received 13.6% of the bets at ESPN BET, showcasing significant public backing. Meanwhile, the reigning national champions, the Florida Gators, are making strides with odds of +1600, reflecting a marked improvement from +6000 last season. Although they have drawn moderate action from bettors, the Gators remain a potential sleeper team that could capture attention with early impressive performances.

As the season approaches, the stakes are high and the competition is fierce. Analysts emphasize the importance of monitoring emerging teams that outperform expectations. “Most years, there is a sleeper team out there that wasn’t expected to do well, and they’ll play really well early on,” Berbert noted.

With the season set to tip off soon, all eyes will be on Purdue as they aim to capitalize on their early momentum and solidify their place as national title favorites. Fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating the action, making this a crucial time for the Boilermakers to prove their worth on the court. Stay tuned for continuous updates as the story unfolds.