It’s hard to believe, but we’re only weeks away from the start of conference tournaments before giving way to March Matchups. Parity is a common occurrence across the Power 4 conferences, ensuring that this year’s tournaments are more assinine than ever.
Let’s break down all of the top contenders from the Power 4 conferences, evaluating their respective positions in the betting market.
The Always Entertaining Big Ten
There is never any shortage of drama in the Big Ten, and that’s the case again in 2025-26. Six teams are ranked in the Top 25, and several more are capable of going on a magical run in the conference tournament.
Not surprisingly, the Michigan Wolverines are the betting favorite to claim this year’s Big Ten Championship. The Wolverines are sitting a tidy 24-1, with their lone defeat coming at the hands of the 24th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers. With that, the -310 betting price is well deserved and puts a massive target on Michigan’s back over the final few weeks of the regular season.
The Illinois Fighting Illini stand as the fiercest challenge to the Wolverines’ championship aspirations. But Purdue, Nebraska, and Michigan State could all mount regular season charges up the standings or derail Michigan in the Big Ten tourney.
The Big 12 Continues to Deliver
Like their Big Ten counterparts, the Big 12 features several top contenders for this year’s National Championship. With four teams ranked in the Top 10 and six teams in the Top 25, any one of those programs could close out the regular season as champions before going on a run in either tournament.
As it stands, the Houston Cougars are the team to beat. Currently sitting at 11-2 in conference play, the Cougars are the odds-on favorite to take home the regular season championship. Still, the Arizona Wildcats are 10-2, with Kansas, Iowa State, Texas Tech, and BYU sitting at just three losses.
From a betting perspective, this is Houston’s conference to lose. The Cougars are priced as -140 chalk to claim the regular season banner. However, bettors are lining up to get a piece of Arizona on the National Championship board. The Wildcats are priced slightly ahead of Houston, carrying respective prices of +600 and +800.
Irrespective of regular season and tournament outcomes, those odds should hold steady ahead of March Matchups.
SEC Heavyweights
Formerly regarded as the football conference, the SEC has flexed its basketball muscles in recent seasons. Six different teams have conceivable paths to the regular season championship, with any one of those catching fire come tournament time.
Every one of those programs is chasing the Florida Gators for top spot. The blue blood program is 10-2 in conference play and 19-6 overall, marginally behind Vanderbilt’s 21-4 overall record. But with a -1000 lead in the betting market, it’s clear that most people are backing Florida to claim this year’s SEC banner.
That presumed dominance is also reflected in the National Championship odds. The Gators are installed as +1200 contenders, with the next closest team, the Arkansas Razorbacks, coming in at +5000.
Altogether, Florida is poised to go on another deep run. While several other programs are loaded with upset potential come March Matchups, there is plenty of betting value to be had in the SEC.
Usual ACC Suspects
In water is still wet news, no one will be surprised to see the Duke Blue Devils atop the ACC standings. Duke remains the class of the conference, with the usual suspects lining up behind them.
With three weeks left to play, Duke is installed as massive -1500 favorites to claim the regular season banner. Moreover, they have the third-shortest odds to claim this year’s National Championship. The Virginia Cavaliers are the only team left with a chance to catch the Blue Devils, but they have some ground to make up and less runway to do it.
Don’t be fooled into believing Virginia can catch Duke. But depending on tournament draws, the Cavaliers could surprise many and make a run to the semifinals.
The Best of the Rest
The Power 4 conferences continue to lead the way in the betting market, but some other notable programs have all the pieces to make this March more maddening than ever. The Big East features the perennial contending UConn Huskies, but things could finally come together for St. John’s, as well. Similarly, the West Coast favorite Gonzaga Bulldogs are always in the National Championship conversation and should garner more attention as we race toward March Matchups.
Plan Your Bets Accordingly
March Matchups always lives up to the hype, but don’t look past conference winners or tournaments as we play the last few weeks of the regular season. There are a few teams that could make unexpected runs. Like these conference races, planning those bets accordingly will separate long-term winners from the rest of the pack.
Stay tuned for all the college basketball coverage as we gear up for an exciting conclusion to the regular season!
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