After a doozy of an opening weekend, we have our final 16 teams for the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Each squad will take a few days off before heading to their respective regionals to figure out which four teams are going to Houston.
Despite all the upsets in the opening weekend, we will have our two national championship favorites in Alabama and Houston. Teams like UCLA, Connecticut, and Gonzaga are not far behind. There are also some intriguing long shots as well.
Here is a look at WynnBET’s updated national championship market and what to make of it heading into the Round of 16.
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National championship odds
Alabama +300
Houston +400
UCLA +600
Connecticut +800
Gonzaga +900
Creighton +1000
Tennessee +1000
Texas +1000
Kansas State +2500
Xavier +2500
Arkansas +3000
Michigan State +3000
Florida Atlantic +4000
Miami FL +4000
San Diego State +4000
Princeton +20000
Favorites: Alabama (+300) and Houston (+400)
Alabama — Brandon Miller, who is dealing with a groin injury, went scoreless in the opening round before bouncing back with a 19-point effort against the Maryland Terrapins. Alabama has recorded two comfortable wins and it hasn’t even shot it that well from 3-point range, which is a scary sign for the rest of college basketball.
Houston — The Cougars flexed their muscles in the second half to run away from Auburn in the Round of 32. They just need to pick up two wins in Kansas City to make it to the Final Four in Houston to cap off a storybook season. With Marcus Sasser back in the fold, there is no reason to believe KenPom’s No. 1 overall team won’t be in the mix for this year’s title.
Sleeper: San Diego State (40/1)
The Aztecs have to face the favorite on Friday and are a 7-point underdog to Alabama. But if they did pull off the upset, this side of the bracket would really open up for Brian Dutcher’s squad. San Diego State is fourth in the country at defending the 3-ball, which bodes well for a Sweet 16 matchup against Alabama.
Pick: UConn (+800)
I can’t shake the feeling that almost any weird college basketball season has ended with the Huskies cutting down the nets. As the only team in the Sweet 16 that’s won a national title since 2000, UConn certainly has as good of a chance as anyone at this stage of the tourney. UConn dismantled Iona and Saint Mary’s for arguably the most impressive performance from the opening weekend.
Even in a tough West region, the Huskies might be the favorite to come out and earn a trip to Houston.
