Dean Etheridge
The 2023/24 college basketball season is creeping closer and closer, and with just a couple of months left to go, it’s time to start looking at the futures markets in more detail. The Big 10 looks set to be an exciting conference, with Purdue (+275) and Michigan State (+275) the joint favorites to top the table. In our latest NCAAB betting picks, we look ahead to the season and tell you which of the two is the best value to top the Big 10, or if a dark horse is riding out there somewhere in the distance.
- The Purdue Boilermakers topped the Big 10 Conference in 2022/23 with a record of 15-5
- This year, the Boilermakers are expected to face some stiff competition from Michigan State when the new season gets underway
- Both colleges are priced up at +275 with the best NCAAB betting sites
- The 2023/24 college basketball season starts on November 6th and runs through until the end of the regular season on March 17th, 2024
If early indications from the best college basketball betting sites are anything to go by, the Purdue Boilermakers aren’t going to have things all their way in the Big 10 in the upcoming season.
Your 2023 BIG 10 Champs. The Purdue Boilermakers pic.twitter.com/1GJkSWSAiJ
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) February 26, 2023
Okay, they’re the favorites, but they have MI State for company this season. As well as Michigan providing the opposition, the defending conference winners will also face competition from Maryland, Ohio State, Illinois, and Indiana.
Last year’s conference win for the Boilermakers was their first since 2019. They won’t want another four-year gap between wins again.
Betting to win the 2024 NCAA Basketball Championship
The Kansas Jayhawks still lead the preseason futures market. The Jayhawks were +1000 back in July, and they are now +900. Just behind Kansas is Kentucky and Purdue on +1000. Duke and the defending champions, UConn are +1400, with Michigan State at +1600.
2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ‼️#HU5KIES pic.twitter.com/UV26Jq7Wx0
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) April 4, 2023
It’s strange how the same sportsbooks can see their way to making Purdue so much shorter to win the championship than Michigan State, yet make the same two colleges joint betting favorites to win the Big 10.
The college basketball odds are saying that the sportsbooks can see Michigan State winning the conference, but they are not so convinced of MI State’s chances of success in the postseason.
Big 10 Regular Season Winner betting
So, Purdue and Michigan State are +275 to win the Big 10, but what about the others?
The two leading colleges are out on their own in the betting. Their closest rivals are the Maryland Terrapins, who are third-favorites at +650. The Terrapins will have to improve on last season’s awful form on the road if they are to compete.
Behind the Terrapins are the Ohio State Buckeyes. Like the Terrapins, the Buckeyes were awful on the road last year (1-10). Their other problem was they weren’t great at home either (10-6).
Ohio State is priced at +700 for a better 2023/24 season, placing them above Illinois at +750 and Indiana at +800. More odds can be found below on our Big 10 betting table.
| 2023/24 Big 10 NCAAB Regular Season Betting |  |  |  |
| Purdue | +275 | +275 | +275 |
| Michigan State | +275 | +275 | +275 |
| Maryland | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Ohio State | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Illinois | +750 | +750 | +750 |
| Indiana | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Michigan | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Wisconsin | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Northwestern | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Penn State | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Iowa | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Rutgers | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Nebraska | +7500 | +7500 | +7500 |
| Minnesota | +15000 | +15000 | +15000 |
Our Big 10 Conference Winner Picks
We have to give serious consideration to the defending Big 10 champions, the Purdue Boilermakers. Under Matt Painter, Purdue has become one of the more feared teams in the conference, winning three championships since 2017, and four in total under Painter’s time leading the team.
Matt Painter is entering his 20th season with the Boilermakers. He has a head coaching record of 438-203 (.683) and is one of the most respected coaches in men’s college basketball.
Since he’s been head coach at West Lafayette, Painter has led the Boilermakers to 14 appearances in the NCAA tournament and six in the Sweet 16. He gives Purdue an edge.
MI can beat Purdue to the title, but we feel in a close contest, Painter could be the difference. So our opening pick to win the Big 10 Conference in 2023/24 is the Purdue Boilermakers at +275.
Big 10 Winner Alternative Betting Pick
The odds of +275 on a Boilermakers conference win just about give us enough equity to go for a second pick. And in doing so, we are looking at better value for money if our alternative selection wins instead.
Maryland is third in the betting at +650. Last year, they finished fifth in the conference with an 11-9 record. Overall, road trips were Maryland’s downfall last season. Their overall home record was 16-1. Away from the Xfinity Center, the Terrapins were appalling with a 2-9 record.
Kevin Willard’s team had the best home record in the Big 10 but one of the worst on the road. This will be Willard’s second full season with the Terrapins, meaning he may have more impact this season.
If he can maintain the home form and improve the road form, the Terrapins could be a force when the new season starts. We think at odds of +650, they are worth a go and make them our alternative pick to win the Big 10.
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