College Basketball Betting Odds: Will Duke Win The 2019 Championship? Michigan, Kentucky Top Contenders?

GettyImages-1128121317 — Duke is looking to win their first title since 2015. Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The start of the NCAA Tournament is nearly a month away and oddsmakers have a clear frontrunner. The Duke Blue Devils, with their impressive group of freshman superstars, are the favorites to win the national championship.

According to Vegas Insider, Duke has 2/1 odds to win the title. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski boasts three freshmen who may get selected among the top five picks in the NBA Draft: Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cameron Reddish. Duke has won five titles under Krzyzewski, who began his career with the program in 1980.

Duke, ranked No. 2, is coming off a win over No. 3 Virginia on Saturday, 81-71. It was the Cavaliers' first loss of the season.

The next top contender is Gonzaga. Head coach Mark Few, who is in his 20th season, is hoping to lead the Bulldogs to their first championship. Gonzaga, ranked No. 4 in the nation, has 6/1 odds.

The Bulldogs have better odds than two programs ranked ahead of them. Virginia has 13/2 odds, while top-ranked Tennessee has the fourth-best odds at 15/2.

Some prominent programs are also in the mix. Michigan has the fifth-best odds at 9/1 odds, while Kentucky and Michigan State are tied for sixth at 12/1 odds.

Michigan, ranked No. 7, has not won a national championship since 1989 and was the runner-up in 2018. Kentucky, ranked No. 5 in the nation, last won a title in 2012 and hasn't reached the final since 2014.

North Carolina is right behind the group at 20/1 odds.

Selection Sunday will be held on March 11.

College Basketball National Championship Betting Odds (Vegas Insider)

Duke 2/1

Gonzaga 6/1

Virginia 13/2

Tennessee 15/2

Michigan 9/1

Kentucky 12/1

Michigan State 12/1

North Carolina 20/1

Nevada 22/1