Most sports fans are starting to get excited for the start of football season, but it’s all about basketball at the University of Kansas. Bill Self and his team just recently embarked on a three-game tour of the Caribbean as they get ready for the 2023-24 season.
The Jayhawks actually suffered a loss to the national team from the Bahamas, ending a 35-game winning streak in exhibition games. That streak dated all the way back to 2012, but the loss makes a bit of sense after seeing who played for the Bahamas.
Buddy Hield led the Bahamas with 19 points in the game, and Eric Gordon chipped in with 12 points to pick up an 87-81 victory. Kansas did respond with an 87-82 victory in the rematch, and that win might say more about this team than the loss.
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A Big Betting Favorite
The preseason AP top 25 poll will be released a bit later this year, but everyone expects the Kansas Jayhawks to be at the top of that list. The UConn Huskies enter 2023-24 as the defending champions in college basketball, but it’s clear that Kansas is the most talented team on paper.
If you are looking to bet on the eventual college basketball champion for the upcoming season, then the Kansas Jayhawks are the betting favorites as well. Those odds at BetOnline are currently set at +900 for the Jayhawks, just ahead of Purdue at +1000.
Head coach Bill Self always seems to put together a talented roster, and he was able to get that done again. Kansas returns star players such as Dajuan Harris Jr, Kevin Adams Jr, and Kevin McCullar Jr., and they also added Hunter Dickinson through the transfer portal.
There are some other very talented teams that are going to contend for a national championship in 2023-24 as well, and they are mostly blue blood programs. The Kentucky Wildcats enter the season with odds set at +1200, and Duke and UConn both check in at +1400.
Dickinson Makes a Difference
While the three returning starters for Kansas have all played a significant role throughout their careers, it’s going to be Hunter Dickinson that has the biggest impact. Dickinson was an All-American while playing for the Michigan Wolverines, and he should thrive in the system that is used by Bill Self.
Kansas is a team that always wants to dominate opponents in the paint with their high-low offense, and Dickinson can fill both roles. He is great on the low post, and he can also step out and make shots on the perimeter if teams back off of him.
Betting on the Wooden Award is another great option when it comes to college basketball, and Dickinson is expected to be among the finalists. His odds to win that award are set at +700, which are the same as Kyle Filipowski from Duke.
Zach Edey is the clear favorite to win the Wooden Award at +175 (at BetOnline) after turning down the NBA for another run at Purdue.
Bet on Both
There is some luck involved when betting on futures in any sport, but that’s especially true when it comes to college basketball. The NCAA Tournament is known as March Madness for a reason, and there will always be upsets in this sport.
Bill Self knows how to win in March, though, and his team comes into this season absolutely loaded with talent. Dickinson is going to be the star for this Kansas team, and he became a Jayhawk for a chance at winning a title.
If you are going to bet on college basketball, then you should take Dickinson to win the Wooden Award at +700 and also take the Kansas Jayhawks at +900 to win the national championship.
