Jump straight to the main content
Starting today, the 2022-23 College Basketball season commences, although it may seem unbelievable.
Michigan sportsbooks find college basketball to be the most unpredictable sport among all.
The national championship seems out of reach for both Michigan and Michigan State, according to the top CBB experts.
Who are the college basketball analysts selecting as the ultimate champions this season?
2022-23 NCAA Basketball Championship Odds
As the season commences, a few prominent teams emerge as the frontrunners to claim victory in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Most Michigan sportsbooks have listed Gonzaga and North Carolina as top contenders. The latest College Basketball Odds show that both teams are currently around +850 to +1000.
Houston and Kentucky are part of the mix as well, with odds ranging from +1000 to +1200. Baylor, Duke, Kansas, UCLA, and Arkansas are not far behind either.
Michigan is more likely to win the national title among the in-state teams. Most sportsbooks have the Wolverines listed at +3500, while Michigan State trails behind at +7000.
Since 2000, MSU has failed to secure the national championship, and Michigan has also been unable to claim the title since 1989.
CBS Sports Final Four Picks
CBS Sports, the esteemed host of the NCAA Tournament and its diverse range of channels, provided their expert panel’s predictions for the Final Four.
Neither the Wolverines nor the Spartans made it through the selection process.
- In Gary Parrish’s prediction, he believes that Gonzaga will be the champion, followed by UNC, Houston, and Kentucky.
- I predict that the champion of the tournament will be Kentucky, followed by Gonzaga, UCLA, and Baylor according to Matt Norlander’s picks.
- Kyle Boone predicts that Kentucky will be the champion, with Houston, Creighton, and Texas as the other teams in contention.
- David Cobb’s top picks for the NCAA basketball tournament are UCLA (champion), Houston, Gonzaga, and Baylor.
- According to Jerry Palm, the predicted Final Four teams are Gonzaga as the champion, followed by Kentucky, Houston, and Kansas.
Sports Illustrated Final Four Picks
In addition to SI.com, a group of four experts has also shared their Final Four predictions for the current season.
After considering all factors, three out of the four individuals express their preference for North Carolina to emerge as the national champions.
- According to Pat Forde, the teams predicted to make it to the championship are UNC, Gonzaga, Houston, and Arkansas.
- Kevin Sweeney predicts that the University of North Carolina will emerge as the champions, with strong contenders being Gonzaga, Houston, and Kentucky.
- Jason Jordan believes that the University of North Carolina (UNC) will emerge as the champion, followed by Houston, Kansas, and Baylor.
- Houston, Baylor, Kentucky, and Texas are the teams predicted by Jeremy Woo to be potential champions.
ESPN Bracketology
Joe Lunardi of ESPN is currently engaged in the task of assembling the 68-team lineup for the upcoming 2025 NCAA Tournament.
According to Lunardi’s bracket, Michigan is ranked as the No. 6 seed in the West Region and their first tournament game would be against No. 11 Oklahoma.
In the first round of the Midwest Region, Michigan State is positioned as a No. 7 seed and will face off against No. 10 Memphis.
Currently, according to Lunardi, the No. 1 seeds consist of Gonzaga, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Houston.
Big Ten college basketball predictions
While experts may not consider Michigan and MSU as contenders for the national title, what about their prospects within the Big Ten Conference?
The response would be: No, not truly.
Most experts are not predicting the Wolverines or Spartans to emerge as conference winners. While Michigan receives slightly more acknowledgment, the general consensus is that the Spartans are not considered strong contenders.
CBS
- The agreement is as follows: 1. Illinois, 3. Michigan, 5. Michigan State.
- According to Garry Parrish’s rankings, the top three teams are as follows: 1. Indiana, 2. Michigan, and 5. Michigan State.
- According to Matt Norlander, the current rankings are as follows: Illinois holds the first position, Michigan is ranked fourth, and Michigan State is ranked fifth.
- According to Kyle Boone, the top three teams are ranked as follows: 1. Illinois, 2. Michigan State, 3. Michigan.
- David Cobb’s rankings for the college football teams are as follows: 1. Indiana, 4. Michigan, and 6. Michigan State.
- According to Jerry Palm, the rankings are as follows: 1. Illinois, 4. Michigan State, and 5. Michigan.
ESPN
- The agreement is as follows: Indiana holds the first position, Michigan takes the third spot, and Michigan State secures the sixth place.
- According to Myron Medcalf’s rankings, Indiana holds the top spot, followed by Michigan at number three, and Michigan State at number six.
- According to Jeff Borzello, the rankings are as follows: Indiana at number 1, Michigan at number 3, and Michigan State at number 6.
- According to John Gasaway’s rankings, Indiana holds the first spot, while Michigan and Michigan State rank fifth and sixth respectively.
- According to Joe Lunardi, the teams ranked as follows: 1. Indiana, 3. Michigan, and 4. Michigan State.
Sports Illustrated
- The agreement is as follows: 1. Illinois, 3. Michigan, 7. Michigan State.
