As the 2026-27 college basketball season is about to start, Duke is widely regarded as the favorite to clinch the NCAA championship. Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, who regularly consults NBA scouts, highlighted that professional talent evaluators see Duke’s lineup as unparalleled in its class. Although Florida holds the No. 1 spot in the AP Preseason Poll with more first-place votes, betting odds from DraftKings place Duke slightly ahead with +550 odds against Florida’s +600, underscoring strong expectations for the Blue Devils.

Duke’s roster boasts notable players including the towering 7-foot-2 freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, projected as a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick in 2028, alongside key contributors like Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell and returners Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer, and Patrick Ngongba II. Despite losing recent Naismith Award winners Cooper Flagg and Cam Boozer to the NBA, Duke’s recruiting class remains highly ranked at No. 2 nationally. Coach Jon Scheyer emphasizes the team’s foundation on hard work, character, and the ability to impact the game beyond scoring, focusing on depth and sacrifice.

Florida, the 2025 national champions, remains a formidable contender with a core of returning talent including Naismith candidate Thomas Haugh and key contributors such as Alex Condon and Reuben Chinyelu. The Gators also benefited from the recent court-granted extra year of eligibility to Denzel Aberdeen, bolstering their guard position. Coaches believe Florida should maintain a dominant presence and contend for the top ranking throughout the season, though they acknowledge the pressure of high expectations and the challenges of team dynamics over time.

Other potential championship contenders include UConn, Illinois, Michigan State, and Arizona, all bolstered by experienced players benefiting from new NCAA eligibility rules. Pitino praises the current era of college basketball as some of the best talent seen in two decades, crediting a more mature and internationally influenced player pool along with the integration of G League experience. This heightened level of competition sets the stage for an exciting and challenging national tournament.