NCAAB AP Top 25 Picks: Preseason Rankings

The 2022-2023 NCAA Men’s College Basketball Season tips on Monday, Nov. 7 and finishes with the National Championship game on April 3. The Associated Press has released their preseason AP Top 25. North Carolina is first followed by Gonzaga, Houston, and Kentucky. Check out the current AP Top 25 along with preseason picks to win the 2023 NCAA Men’s College Basketball National Championship. Let’s jump right into action so you can plan your bets against the NCAA Basketball National Championship Odds.

AP Top 25 College Basketball Analysis and Betting Opportunities for the Upcoming Season

2022-23 NCAA Men’s College Basketball Season

When: Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 – Monday, April 3, 2022

AP Top 25 College Basketball

North Carolina
Gonzaga
Houston
Kentucky
Kansas
Baylor
Duke
UCLA
Creighton
Arkansas
Tennessee
Texas
Indiana
TCU
Auburn
Villanova
Arizona
Virginia
San Diego State
Arizona
Oregon
Michigan
Illinois
Dayton
Texas Tech

Top Pick: Houston Cougars +960

The Cougs are loaded. Marcus Sasser is a potential player of the year, Jarace Walker is a potential NBA lottery draft pick, and Jamal Shead makes it impossible to double Sasser on the perimeter.

Coach Kelvin Sampson preaches excellent defense and patient offense. In the blink of an eye, you could be down 20 against Houston. Give the Cougars a huge shot to cut down the nets.

Second Pick: Kentucky Wildcats +980

Sure, the Kentucky Wildcats failed to keep it going in the NCAA Touranment. But John Calipari’s squad has put the loss to St. Peter’s in the rearview mirror.

Reigning Wooden Award winner Oscar Tshiebwe is the best rebounder in the nation. Tshiebwe could have gone to the NBA. Instead, he stayed to win a title.

Coach Cal has a couple of five-star freshman in Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace. Expect Big Blue to dominate the SEC and enter the tournament with a 1-seed.

Biggest Overlay: Kansas Jayhawks +1300

So you win the National Championship and your preseason odds the next season are above +1000?

Bill Self is like Nick Saban in college football. He never rebuilds. Self only reloads.

On paper, Rock Chalk shouldn’t contend with Baylor. But games happen on hardwood floors not on paper and Self transferred one of the more underrated players in the Big 12 Conference, Kevin McCullar, to Lawrence.

Not only that, but freshman Gradey Dick, MJ Rice, and Ernest Udeh Jr. should make up for the talent losses. By the time March rolls around, Self’s squad will be ready to make another Final Four run.

Biggest Underlay: Gonzaga Bulldogs +870

This season, Drew Timme returns. He’s one of the best players in the country, but when push comes to shove, Timme isn’t better than Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe and it’s difficult to see where the other talent is after Timme.

One of the Zags’ biggest issues is competition. Every season, Gonzaga has a tough early schedule. Then, the schedule becomes one of the softest of any national title contender. By the time the Zags play in the tournament, they’ve lost their edge. Expect the same thing to happen in the 2023 Big Dance that happened in the 2022 Big Dance.

Top Underdog Play: Arizona Wildcats +2100

Tommy Lloyd’s squad lost Benedict Mathurin, Christian Koloko, and Dalen Terry, but the Arizona Wildcats have enough talent to make a deep NCAA Touranment run.

Pelle Larsson, last season’s Pac 12 Sixth Man of the Year, should take a starting roll this season. Also, Azuolas Tubelis should be in the running for Pac-12 Player of the Year.

Transferring Courtney Ramey from Texas is huge. Ramey, a senior, brings leadership and a sweet three-point touch to Tucson. If the youngsters follow Ramey’s and Tubelis’ lead, who knows? Zona could end up with another 1-seed.

Best Big Odds Underdog Play: Auburn Tigers +4600

Most predict the Tigers to finish fifth in the SEC. Finishing fifth in the loaded SEC means Auburn could secure a 4-seed, or even a 3-seed, in the NCAA Tournament.

The Auburn Tigers are flying under the radar. The team is a senior laden squad, which means the +4600 makes them an overlay. If you like betting dogs, backing Bruce Pearl’s team at the odds could end up a wise move.