Rich Schultz/Getty Images. Pictured: Villanova F Jermaine Samuels
As we quickly approach the start of the new college basketball season on Nov. 9, bettors are seeking the best odds, best opportunities and unique trends for 2022 national championship futures.
At BetMGM — which is live in states like Arizona, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, among others — the highest percentage of the money and percentage of bets is coming in on Villanova (36.2 and 20.5%, respectively).
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The Wildcats offer strong value (+1200) with the return of fifth-year seniors Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels. They reached the Sweet 16 last season — despite losing Gillespie to a knee injury before the NCAA tournament — and are consistently one of the best teams in the country with Jay Wright in charge.
Meanwhile, the projected No. 1 team, Gonzaga, is receiving only 3.6% of the money. They’re the current favorites to cut down the nets at +600, thanks to return of Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard and the addition of an elite recruiting class.
Gonzaga does have the second-highest percentage of bets (13.9%) at BetMGM, though, including a notable wager of $15,000 to win $90,000.
Two other teams that are earning the highest handle percentage include UCLA (26.8%) and Kansas (11.9%).
The Bruins are +1200 after returning all five starters from a team that reached the Final Four last year, while the Jayhawks have the same odds as Purdue, Kentucky and Texas at +1600.
Highest Percentage of Money at BetMGM
- Villanova: 36.2%
- UCLA: 26.8%
- Kansas: 11.9%
- Oregon: 6.9%
- Kentucky: 4.9%
Highest Ticket Percentage at BetMGM
- Villanova: 20.5%
- Gonzaga: 13.9%
- Texas: 9.8%
- UCLA: 8.2%
- Kentucky: 8.2%
Despite landing the top high school prospect in the country, Emoni Bates, and another five-star talent Jalen Duren, Memphis is getting just 0.5% of the money and 1.6% of the total bets.
The defending national champs are also not receiving a lot of love, as the Bears are getting 0.4% of the money following the departures of Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler and MaCio Teague.
