"There's been a lot of offseason buzz around Purdue with them bringing three players back and addressing some weaknesses in the portal. So, they've been the popular team it seems so far."
"In recent years, the transfer portal has become one of the biggest factors in preseason odds, as we evaluate how teams are balancing adding talent with roster continuity and chemistry. You can have a team that did well last season completely re-tooled with new faces, which may look like an upgrade on paper, but we need to see it in game action."
Purdue begins the 2025-26 season ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP poll and is the consensus betting favorite at +850 on ESPN BET. Houston sits second at +1000, followed by Duke (+1100), UConn (+1200) and Kentucky (+1500). Purdue returned three players and made portal additions, and it has captured the largest share of national-championship handle at ESPN BET and BetMGM. Braden Smith is the preseason Wooden Award favorite at +400. Transfer-portal activity is a major factor in preseason odds, while roster continuity and in-game validation remain crucial. Duke's odds lengthened after losing five starters, including Cooper Flagg, to the NBA Draft.
Read at ESPN.com
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