2023-24 Big 12 Basketball Futures Odds
Houston Now Prohibitive Favorites to Win Regular Season Title
The 2023-24 Big 12 basketball futures odds show the Houston Cougars as odds-on favorites. Despite being tied with Kansas atop the Big 12 standings with a 6-3 record, Houston is the choice on the basis on hosting to Jayhawks to wrap-up regular season play.
Iowa State, Baylor and Texas Tech are each just a half-game behind Kansas and Houston. So, the conference regular season title is still up for grabs. But based on the NCAAB betting odds, the path to the title runs through Houston.
Houston Cougars (-170)
The Cougars are the best team in college basketball according to the KenPom rankings. Houston is likely to drop a bit in the Associated Press NCAA basketball rankings after losing to Kansas, but Ken Pomeroy has the Cougars 1.4 points better than Purdue.
The Cougars have a couple of tough road games remaining, against Baylor and Oklahoma, but do get Kansas in the rematch at home. The Cougars also have a home revenge game against Iowa State. Pomeroy has the Cougars 9.5 points better than Kansas on a neutral court.
When the Jayhawks beat Houston, Kansas hit 25 of 32 2-point attempts (78.1%), something that likely isn’t going to happen again. It’s a steep price to lay, however, and you could do better looking elsewhere for value.
Kansas Jayhawks (+500)
The Jayhawks are a distant second in the 2023-24 Big 12 basketball futures odds despite just handling Houston. Kansas does have a few tough road games remaining on the schedule, including Baylor, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and the finale against Houston.
There’s also the potential letdown game when Kansas visits Kansas State. But playing an in-state rival could keep that from happening. The Jayhawks are No. 2 in the Big 12 offensive efficiency rankings, so they can’t be counted out. The defense isn’t on the level of Houston, but it’s not bad. Kansas can’t be discounted and are at generous odds.
Iowa State Cyclones (+600)
The Cyclones continue to surprise and are 5-3 in Big 12 Conference play. Iowa State isn’t pretty at times, but it does manage to win games. The defense is the strength of this college basketball team, where the Cyclones lead the Big 12 in turnovers forced.
But Iowa State does allow too many offensive rebounds and sends teams to the foul line too often. The Cyclones aren’t a great offensive team and struggle from 3-point range and the foul line. Iowa State has beaten Houston and Kansas at home, but does have to visit Houston, Texas and Cincinnati, which aren’t easy games.
Baylor Bears (+1200)
At 5-3 in Big 12 Conference play, the Baylor Bears are still in the hunt for the conference title. But the Bears have a tough slate remaining, with two NCAAB games against Kansas and Texas Tech, and also have Houston, BYU and Oklahoma on tap.
The Bears have the offense to win some of the those games, but need the defense to step it up a little bit. Baylor is No. 11 in the conference in 2-point defense and not much better with the 3-point defense. The 2023-24 Big 12 basketball futures odds have the Bears as longshots and it’s for a good reason.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (+1400)
The Red Raiders have KenPom’s best offensive efficiency rating in the conference. They also have the worst defensive efficiency in the Big 12. The Red Raiders have a shooter’s chance at winning the regular season title.
But with a schedule that’s tough, Texas Tech has its work cut out for it. The defense is going to have to pick it up if the Red Raiders want to make a run at the regular season title. Baylor has had a couple of tough overtime losses, including the three-overtime game with TCU.
Who to Bet On?
Houston has the most favorable schedule remaining, getting both Kansas and Iowa State at home. But you don’t really want to lay -170 on one of your NCAAB picks for futures wagers. That’s definitely not ideal. The Cougars probably will win the regular season title, but that’s not the way to bet.
Using a betting odds calculator will show the true odds on Kansas winning the title are about 23%, which means there is a little bit of value in taking Kansas at +500 to win the Big 12 Conference regular season title. It could very well come down to the final regular season game of the season.
For NCAA basketball schedule, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
