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Now that the final day for college undergraduates to declare for the 2014 NBA Draft has passed, it is time for the sports books across the nation to release their betting odds for the 2015 NCAA Tournament championship. The Gonzaga Bulldogs, with an exciting incoming class combining with a veteran backcourt, opened with 40/1 odds to go home as the NCAA Tournament champions in 2015.
Of course, this early on, these odds don't really mean much outside of how people with money are thinking on trying to turn it into more money. Still, early rankings and odds are a good indicator for what the feel across the nation is, and right now, the early returns are that Kentucky is going to be really good.
| Kentucky | 5/1 |
| Duke | 9/1 |
| Wisconsin | 12/1 |
| Kansas | 14/1 |
| Arizona | 16/1 |
| Florida | 16/1 |
| North Carolina | 16/1 |
| Louisville | 25/1 |
| Michigan State | 25/1 |
| Villanova | 25/1 |
| Wichita State | 28/1 |
| Iowa State | 33/1 |
| Michigan | 33/1 |
| Syracuse | 33/1 |
| SMU | 33/1 |
| Texas | 33/1 |
| Virginia | 33/1 |
| Gonzaga | 40/1 |
| Oklahoma | 40/1 |
| VCU | 40/1 |
| Ohio State | 50/1 |
| Oregon | 50/1 |
| UCLA | 50/1 |
There the Bulldogs sit, with the ninth best odds to bring unspeakable amounts of glory to the program. It also adds a bit of weight to the already confirmed non-conference opponents Gonzaga will face next year. Arizona, SMU and UCLA all have odds worth betting on.
Also, it looks like it will be a battle between Duke and Kentucky for the final, and this is completely understandable. Kentucky is a team that will be beyond ridiculous next year, with the potential to throw out an entire lineup for players that stand 6'10 or taller. Toss in the Harrison brothers getting another year of seasoning, and it looks like Kentucky has an excellent chance of making a repeat run to the title game.
Duke is bringing in the top recruiting class in the nation between Jahil Okafor and Tyus Jones. Duke is losing a lot of players, but with the likes of Quinn Cook and Rasheed Sulaimon returning for another year, the Blue Devils will have more than enough talent to go around.
Other slightly relevant odds for people following the Bulldogs: Memphis at 100/1, BYU at 300/1 and Washington at 300/1.
As for me? I'd drop 10 bucks on the Gonzaga Bulldogs. I've wasted money on dumber things before in life.