Coach K is off to sip Mai Tais on the beaches in the Caribbean, or do whatever it is Hall of Fame college basketball coaches do in retirement.
But even without Mike Krzyzewski leading the way for the first time since 1980, Duke is expected to be just fine.
The Blue Devils have been listed as the early favorite in 2022-23 college basketball national championship odds, just a day after the Kansas Jayhawks rallied to beat the North Carolina Tar Heels for this year’s title.
Associate head coach Jon Scheyer, who played for Krzyzewski at Duke, will take over next season, and despite his inexperience, the talent is so strong that the oddsmakers believe in the Blue Devils’ ability to keep their rich tradition alive after the departure of Coach K.
Here is a look at the early favorites to win the national championship, according to betting odds released by BetMGM on April 5.
Duke Blue Devils (+800): The top teams always lose premium talent to the NBA, and Duke is expected to be no different, as Paolo Banchero and others will depart. However, its recruiting class is fantastic, and that’s why the Blue Devils sit atop the pack. Dereck Lively and Kyle Filipowski are two of the top three players in the 2023 class, while the return of Wendell Moore would be huge if he decides to forgo the draft.
Kentucky Wildcats (+1000): Oscar Tshiebwe is one of the best college basketball players in the country, and he’s still undecided about entering the NBA draft, where he is projected as a second-round pick. If he returns, the Wildcats will be in great shape, as Cason Wallace and Chris Livingston are five-star prospects that will be difference-makers the minute they step on the court.
Arkansas Razorbacks (+1000): The Razorbacks might not be a traditional power like some of the other names on this list, but there is no question the talent will be there. Coach Eric Musselman guided this year’s squad to the Elite Eight, and the recruiting class boasts five-star prospects Anthony Black, Nick Smith and Jordan Walsh. The Razorbacks knocked off top-seeded Gonzaga in the Sweet Sixteen and will have even bigger goals next season.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1200): Drew Timme is one of college basketball’s stars, and he doesn’t project very well to the NBA. Could Gonzaga get him back? Chet Holmgren is as good as gone, but Timme’s decision will be one of the biggest questions of the offseason. The team should be good either way, but Timme’s presence would make it a clear national championship contender.
Kansas Jayhawks (+1200): The Jayhawks are the defending national champions and always have talent in the pipeline. Even though Remy Martin and Ochai Agbaji are departing, Kansas could get back Chris Braun. The recruiting class boasts three five-star recruits, including Gradey Dick, who could be a freshman phenom for Kansas. The Jayhawks are still celebrating this year’s national championship victory over North Carolina, but it won’t be long until the work begins for a repeat quest.
Other top contenders: Baylor Bears (+1400); North Carolina Tar Heels (+1400); UCLA Bruins (+1400); Villanova Wildcats (+1600); Arizona Wildcats (+2000); Houston Cougars (+2000); Michigan Wolverines (+2000); Oregon Ducks (+2500); Tennessee Volunteers (+2500); Texas Tech Red Raiders (+2500); Alabama Crimson Tide (+2500); Purdue Boilermakers (+3000); USC Trojans (+3000).
