Jason McIntyre, co-host of THE HERD and FOX Sports betting analyst, reflects on the recently concluded college basketball season and looks ahead to next year. With UConn winning back-to-back titles, teams are expected to make moves in the transfer portal to improve their rosters, while NBA-bound players will leave some teams depleted. This presents a perfect opportunity for bettors to make early futures bets for next season when the odds are more favorable. McIntyre shares six of his early favorite futures bets to consider, including Duke, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Alabama, St. Mary’s, and UCLA, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
McIntyre highlights Duke as a must-have futures ticket for next season, given their potential lineup and the addition of top recruit Cooper Flagg. Flagg is expected to be a top pick in the NBA Draft and a contender for player of the year, making Duke a strong contender for 30 wins. Gonzaga, with their solid backcourt and addition of transfer Michael Ajayi, is seen as the best team on the West Coast and a potential No. 1 seed with a clear path to the Final Four.
Despite being let down by Iowa State in the previous season, McIntyre sees them as a strong contender for next year’s title, as long as coach TJ Otzelberger remains with the team. The Cyclones are expected to return key players and transfers, making them a top team in the Big 12 with a shot at a top-two seed. Alabama, under coach Nate Oats, is another team McIntyre suggests taking a flier on, given their returning players and coach’s track record of success in the NCAA tournament.
St. Mary’s, despite a disappointing first-round loss in the previous season, is considered a dark horse for the Final Four if they can add some defensive reinforcements to their backcourt. UCLA, a traditional powerhouse that missed the tournament last season, has added impact players through the transfer portal and could offer value next season if post player Adem Bona stays. McIntyre’s early favorites offer a mix of powerhouse programs and potential surprise contenders for the upcoming college basketball season.
In addition to his role as a co-host on The Herd and FOX Sports gambling analyst, McIntyre also covers the NFL and NBA Draft for FS1. He has been producing gambling content for FOX Sports since 2017, including a gambling podcast called “Coming Up Winners.” McIntyre previously founded the website The Big Lead before joining FOX Sports, bringing with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in the world of sports betting and analysis. Follow McIntyre on Twitter @JasonRMcIntyre for more insights and updates on college basketball and sports betting.
