Duke opens as favorite for 2019 national championship
The 2018 national championship just ended, and oddsmakers at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook have already made Duke the favorite to claim the title next April.
The Blue Devils may be set to lose a number of players from their Elite Eight team this season, but Mike Krzyzewski has a historic recruiting class coming to Durham for next season. The legendary coach has signed R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, and Cam Reddish for next year, representing the top three players in the country for the class of 2018.
Villanova captured its second title in three years Monday and is next on the betting board at 8-1, alongside traditional powerhouses Kansas and Kentucky, while North Carolina rounds out the top five at 12-1.
Here's the entire top 10 on the betting board:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Duke | 5-1 |
| Villanova | 8-1 |
| Kansas | 8-1 |
| Kentucky | 8-1 |
| North Carolina | 12-1 |
| Michigan State | 15-1 |
| Virginia | 15-1 |
| Gonzaga | 15-1 |
| Michigan | 20-1 |
| Oregon | 20-1 |