2026 March Madness Odds: Duke, Houston, and Purdue Top Favorites to Win National Championship

• The odds to win March Madness 2026 have been posted at online sportsbooks
• Duke and Houston, the top-two teams at KenPom last season, are the early favorites
• See the 2026 March Madness championship odds for the top-30 teams on the board

Still an entire year away, the 2026 NCAA Tournament is in the spotlight at sportsbooks now that the 2025 season has reached is finale. The early 2026 March Madness odds feature a familiar name at the very top – Duke – despite massive roster turnover being inevitable for the Blue Devils. The table below lists the opening 2026 March Madness title odds for the early top-30 betting favorites.

March Madness Title Odds 2026

Duke has opened as the +950 favorite to win the 2026 national championship, which amounts to a 9.52% implied win probability. Second-favorite Houston is +1200 (7.69%) while co-third-favorites Louisville and Purdue are +1400 (6.67%). BYU, which has the top incoming recruit in the nation (AJ Dybantsa), rounds out the top-five favorites at +1500 (6.25%). Odds as of April 7 at FanDuel. Check out SBD’s FanDuel review for the latest registration information.

Who Will Duke Have (Left) Next Season?

Reigning national player of the year Cooper Flagg (19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG) is set to be the #1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. On top of that, teammate Kon Knueppel (14.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.7 APG) is a likely lottery pick, while Khaman Malauch (8.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG), Tyrese Proctor (12.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.2 APG), and Sion James (8.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.9 APG) are also possible first-rounders and likely to turn pro next season regardless.

In other words, it’s going to be a big-time restocking of the shelves for coach Jon Scheyer.

The good news in Durham is that the Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, are on the way. Fraternal twins of former Blue Devil Carlos Boozer, they both rank in the top 20 of the ESPN 100 recruits (6’9 power forward Cameron at #3 and 6’4 point guard Cayden at #16).

Yet, there is little rationale for Duke to open as the +900 favorite. Yes, last year’s team was record-setting in terms of its offensive rating (highest ever in the KenPom era). But they’re likely to lose all of their top-five scorers.

Houston Will Lose Plenty of Production as Well

Houston doesn’t have the same level of NBA talent as Duke, but junior guard Milos Uzan (11.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.3 APG) projects as a second-round pick while leading scorer LJ Cryer (15.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.0 APG) and leading rebounder J’Wan Roberts (10.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.8 APG) are both seniors, as is rotation player Mylik Wilson (17.4 MPG, 5.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG).

Kelvin Sampson is quickly turning the Cougars into a recruiting giant, though. Houston has three top-20 recruits coming in, led by 6’10 center Chris Cenac Jr (#6 in the nation, per ESPN).

Purdue Could Return Everyone (Who Matters)

One team that stands out as good value in the opening odds is the Purdue Boilermakers, who went 24-12 (13-7 in Big Ten play) and reached the Sweet 16 before losing by a single bucket to Houston. Matt Painter’s team only had one senior on the roster., and none of last year’s Boilermakers feature in any NBA mock drafts at this point.

In other words, barring transfers and/or injuries, Painter could have each of his top-seven scorers back next season, led by soon-to-be-senior Braden Smith (15.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 8.7 APG) and dynamic big-man Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.2 APG). Purdue’s Achilles heel all season was its defense, especially on the interior. It’s easier to improve team defense over the summer than suddenly become an offensive force, which Purdue already is.

The Boilermakers finished 16th overall in the KenPom Net Ratings, seventh on offense but just 53rd on D.

As we look ahead to the 2026 March Madness tournament, the excitement is already building as fans eagerly anticipate which teams will emerge as the top contenders for the national championship. According to the latest odds, Duke, Houston, and Purdue are among the top favorites to come out on top in what promises to be a thrilling tournament.

Duke, a perennial powerhouse in college basketball, is once again expected to be a strong contender for the national championship. Led by head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has a proven track record of success in March Madness, the Blue Devils boast a talented roster that includes top recruits and experienced veterans. With their combination of skill, athleticism, and coaching prowess, Duke is poised to make a deep run in the tournament and compete for the title.

Houston, on the other hand, has been a rising star in college basketball in recent years and is coming off a successful season that saw them reach the Final Four. Led by head coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars have built a reputation for their tough defense and relentless style of play. With a strong core of returning players and a hunger to prove themselves on the national stage, Houston is considered a serious threat to win it all in 2026.

Purdue is another team to watch out for in the upcoming tournament. The Boilermakers have consistently been a strong contender in March Madness, thanks to their disciplined play and ability to execute in crunch time. Head coach Matt Painter has built a solid program that emphasizes teamwork and fundamentals, which has helped Purdue achieve success in the postseason. With a talented roster and a winning mentality, the Boilermakers are expected to be in the mix for the national championship.

While Duke, Houston, and Purdue are among the top favorites to win the national championship in 2026, March Madness is known for its unpredictability and upsets. With so many talented teams vying for the title, anything can happen once the tournament gets underway. As fans gear up for another thrilling edition of March Madness, all eyes will be on these top contenders as they look to etch their names in college basketball history.