Duke and Florida Named Co-Favorites for 2027 NCAA Championship

The 2026-27 college basketball season is anticipated to be competitive, with Duke and Florida emerging as co-favorites for the 2027 national championship. Duke was initially favored earlier this spring, but Florida has joined them at the top of the odds as the season approaches.

Florida, which won the national title in 2025 but exited early in the last tournament, returns key players including Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, and Rueben Chinyelu. Both teams are currently listed at +600 odds to win the championship, with Duke set to face Florida in the ACC/SEC Challenge on December 1.

Duke's strong position is bolstered by a combination of returning talent and a robust recruiting class, including recent transfer John Blackwell. Meanwhile, Illinois is also seen as a strong contender, having retained significant talent despite losing some key players. Michigan's odds have decreased due to uncertainty surrounding player returns and a coaching change, but they remain a contender in the Big Ten.