College Basketball Betting Picks: Early Futures, Bold Predictions, and Bet the House

We are obviously taking some chances here with bold predictions early in the season based on limited information, but one of the main goals of this series is to identify the big picture as early as possible. There will naturally be plenty of movement in these rankings through the first few weeks as more data rolls in and we get a better feel for each team. By December, though, the college basketball landscape should start to take clearer shape.

A few new programs will likely join the “Championship Contenders” list in the next edition, and an apology goes out to St. John’s, who I’ve removed from the overrated list after another look. The Red Storm are tough, physical, and while they may not be the fifth-best team in the country, they are not far off. In the next article, we will take a deeper dive into a few other programs, but for now, let’s focus on some season-long wagers that offer intriguing value based on what we have seen so far.

Worth A Wager

• Illinois (+700) to win the Big Ten
  
• Arizona (+800) to win the Big 12
  
• Arkansas (+475) to win the SEC and (+2000) to win the National Championship
  

Longshots (probably won’t hit, but the odds are tempting):

• Baylor (+2500) to win the Big 12
  
• Washington (+4000) to win the Big Ten
  
• Wake Forest (+10000) to win the ACC
  

I like to sprinkle in a few of these long-term plays as the season unfolds, and these seem to offer the best value at this point. Now it is time to stick our neck out again with another Bet the House segment, and this time we are backing a team we have far more confidence in: the number one team in our poll, the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Bet The House

Arkansas +3.5 @ Michigan State

The first edition of Bet the House did not go as planned. Bethune-Cookman fell flat after an impressive opener, while Miami looked like a completely different team, dominating on both ends and putting up triple digits. It was a reminder that early-season betting can be dangerous when teams are still finding their identity.

This time, we are going with what we believe to be the best team in college basketball. Arkansas sits atop our rankings, while Michigan State failed to crack the top 32. The Razorbacks are deep, athletic, and well-coached, and I like them to go into East Lansing and knock off the Spartans outright.

The Breslin Center is usually one of the toughest places to play, especially for young teams, but this Arkansas group is built differently. They are too talented and too balanced to back down in this spot. As 3.5-point underdogs, this one feels like excellent value and possibly the first of many winners for Bet the House.

*Please don’t actually “bet the house.” We like the Arkansas side here, but like any wager, it can go either way. Bet smart, have fun, and always play responsibly.

Sandman Sports Week 1 College Basketball Rankings

Tier1 – The True Contenders

1. Arkansas
   
2. Illinois
   
3. Alabama
   
4. Arizona
   
5. Houston
   
6. UConn

Tier 2 – The Chasers

7. North Carolina
   
8. Michigan
   
9. St. John’s
   
10. BYU
    
11. N.C. State
    
12. Florida
    
13. Baylor
    
14. Gonzaga
    
15. Texas Tech
    
16. Kentucky
    
17. Washington

Tier 3 – Dangerous Dark Horses

18. Kansas
    
19. Auburn
    
20. Louisville
    
21. Iowa
    
22. Wake Forest
    
23. Miami
    
24. Duke
    
25. Marquette
    
26. SMU
    
27. Creighton
    
28. Indiana
    
29. Purdue
    
30. Georgia
    
31. Tennessee
    
32. Missouri

2025-26 Player Rankings

With our first rankings set and a few early wagers on the board, the college basketball season is officially in full swing. We will keep updating both lists weekly as the standings and player performances evolve. 

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