At the beginning, Florida sits at the top of College Basketball Betting early in the 2026-27 season. They earned most of the first-place votes in the preseason AP poll and opened 2-0. Including a 77-67 win over Miami. The Gators returned a strong frontcourt and experienced backcourt pieces. And they have looked the part of the consensus No. 1 through the first week-plus of games.
Of course, Duke is right behind them at 2-0 after two dominant wins. The Blue Devils are blending returning talent, a high-impact transfer, and a strong freshman class. Illinois has also started 2-0 and remains in the top three. UConn is 2-0 after a solid win over Michigan that reinforced their status as a Final Four contender.
Arizona sits just outside that group after a 1-1 start that included a loss to UCLA. At the same time, Michigan State, Texas, Virginia, and Louisville have all opened cleanly at 2-0. Gonzaga is also 2-0 after a win over Purdue. Also, Kansas has looked efficient in its first two games.
Early online wagering returns largely track the preseason hierarchy. So far, Florida, Duke, Illinois, and UConn are establishing themselves as the clearest top-tier teams. However, schedules remain light, and most of the ranked clubs still have their first true tests ahead.
2026-27 College Basketball Futures Market Update
Top Games This Week
The top college basketball games from Monday through Sunday center on the State Farm Champions Classic in Chicago on Tuesday night. Specifically, it features two of the season’s stronger early matchups. Michigan State faces Duke in the opener at the United Center. That pairing pits the Spartans’ returning core and high-assist point guard against a deep, talented Blue Devils roster that has opened 2-0.
Next, the nightcap has Kansas against Kentucky, giving an early look at the Jayhawks’ loaded freshman class. In contrast, Kentucky has started cleanly under its new roster.
That same night, Florida travels to Florida State in an in-state contest for the preseason No. 1 Gators. At the same time, Illinois visits Texas Tech in another ranked pairing. Earlier in the week, the schedule is lighter on ranked matchups. More emphatically, most top teams face mid-major or lower-division opponents on Monday. UConn hosts Wagner and several other ranked clubs open the week at home.
Late on the College Basketball Odds stretch, Marquette visits Michigan on Wednesday. And then a few other Top 25 teams continue their non-conference schedules with winnable but useful tests. The Champions Classic doubleheader stands as the clear highlight of the week for national interest and early measuring-stick value.
Michigan State vs. Duke Overview
Michigan State and Duke meet Tuesday night to open the State Farm Champions Classic at the United Center in Chicago. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. To summarize, both teams enter at 2-0, with Duke ranked No. 2 in the country. Michigan State is ranked No. 6, making this one of the first true high-stakes tests of the young season.
Jeremy Fears Jr. anchors Michigan State at point guard after earning preseason All-America recognition. He is joined by returning pieces such as Coen Carr. In addition to size in the frontcourt with Anton Bonke.
Of course, Tom Izzo’s group brings physicality and experience that have long defined the program. Duke counters with depth and talent across the board under Jon Scheyer. Specifically, with a mix of returning players, a high-impact transfer, and a strong freshman class.