Purdue Boilermakers Named Preseason Favorites for 2025-26 Season

UPDATE: The Purdue Boilermakers have officially been named the preseason favorites to win the national championship in men’s college basketball for the 2025-26 season, ranking No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press poll for the very first time. This announcement comes as Purdue boasts +850 odds at ESPN BET, positioning them as the consensus choice for the title.

This urgent development puts the Boilermakers ahead of last season’s runners-up, the Houston Cougars, who are currently the second-favorites with +1000 odds. Following closely are Duke at +1100, UConn at +1200, and Kentucky at +1500. The high expectations surrounding Purdue are fueled by a productive offseason and a talented roster, led by Braden Smith, a Wooden Award preseason favorite with +400 odds.

The momentum for Purdue has surged recently, as they have garnered the highest share of national championship bets at both ESPN BET and BetMGM. According to Caesars college basketball trader Patrick Berbert, “There’s been a lot of offseason buzz around Purdue with them bringing three players back and addressing some weaknesses in the portal.” This excitement has positioned Purdue as the most popular team among bettors heading into the season.

Notably, the dynamics of the transfer portal have significantly influenced preseason odds, as teams balance new talent with existing chemistry. ESPN BET senior director Adrian Horton pointed out, “You can have a team that did well last season completely re-tooled with new faces, which may look like an upgrade on paper, but we need to see it in game action.”

In contrast, Duke, which opened as a favorite for the 2026 national championship, has seen its odds lengthen following the loss of all five starters from the 2024-25 season, including No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg to the NBA Draft. Currently, Duke is receiving 8.1% of the bets at BetMGM, but they have only captured 6.4% of the total money wagered.

Meanwhile, the Cougars have maintained their position as the second-best option on the odds board, attracting 13.6% of the bets at ESPN BET, making them a strong contender for the title. They are viewed as a significant liability for BetMGM, having received the second-most wagers and handle.

The defending champions, the Florida Gators, are entering the 2025-26 campaign with +1600 odds, marking a notable improvement from the +6000 odds they had last season. While the Gators have only seen moderate betting activity, bookmakers are closely monitoring any teams that may rise unexpectedly, similar to Florida’s performance last year.

“There is usually a sleeper team that wasn’t expected to do well but plays exceptionally early on,” said Berbert. “It’s crucial to spot these teams when they exceed expectations and to react quickly, especially in the futures market.”

As the season rapidly approaches, all eyes will be on Purdue to see if they can live up to their hype and secure their spot as national champions. Stay tuned for more developments as the action unfolds in college basketball.