3 Best Value Bets to Win 2020 NCAA Tournament Ahead of Regular Season Tip-Off

• Recent national champions Virginia and Villanova both open the new season pegged as lengthy +2000 contenders
• Mass exodus of veteran leaders poses major challenges for Cavaliers and Wildcats
• Gonzaga Bulldogs also lag on national championship odds following the departure of their top four scorers

As the clock tips down to tip off on the 2019-20 college basketball season, the Michigan State Spartans continue to lead the way in the NCAA Championship odds at +700.

However, plenty of value exists further down the board heading into the campaign.

Here’s a look at three national championship contenders sporting attractive odds that are worthy of consideration.

Odds to Win 2020 NCAA Tournament Championship

Odds taken on Nov. 5th

Can Mark Few Finally Breath Through?

The class of the West Coast Conference since joining in 1999, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have emerged as perennial contenders at March Madness, advancing at least as far as the Sweet Sixteen in each of the past five years. And this season should be no different.

With Zach Norvell telling the media today he’s officially leaving Gonzaga, Admon Gilder’s (@hph_lilmon) role in the offense will be even bigger this season.

Here’s his perspective on playing PG.

Our full piece with Admon yesterday here: https://t.co/M35N9eypiI pic.twitter.com/8e35lfv1se

— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) May 9, 2019

The Zags have undergone a major turnover in personnel during this offseason, with the squad’s top four scorers all moving on, including Rui Hachimura, Brandon Clarke, Zach Norvell Jr., and Josh Perkins. Gonzaga must also contend with a veteran St. Mary’s Gaels squad that could emerge as a threat to their dominance in the WCC.

However, Bulldogs head coach Mark Few has remained busy filling the holes, both with fresh recruits and transfers. In addition to bringing back veteran forward Corey Kispert, Gonzaga gains plenty of experience with the addition of guard Admon Gilder.

The senior transfers to Gonzaga after missing all of last season due to a blood clot in his arm, but demonstrated a strong two-way game and ability to put up points during three seasons with Texas A&M, where he averaged 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 2017-2018.

JOEMCHALE: RT SWXRightNow: From G Prep (gonzaga_prep) to GU (ZagMBB), Freshman Anton Watson (twonster4080) is off to an impressive start for the #Bulldogs! 🏀🔥#UnitedWeZag #GoZags pic.twitter.com/aEyYtF0muc

— 590 KQNT (@590KQNT) November 2, 2019

The Bulldogs have also done solid work assembling what 247sports lists as the 13th ranked recruiting class in the nation that includes homegrown freshman forward Anton Watson and center Drew Timme, who both rank among the top 50 recruits in the nation.

Few now faces the challenge of preparing his youngsters to take on big roles this season. But high expectations are nothing new for the Zags, who have opened their season among the top 10 teams in the nations for four years running, reaching the national championship game once during that stretch, in 2017.

Wahoos Look to Repeat in Charlottesville

The Cavaliers return to action after completing one of the most compelling redemption stories in college hoops history, rebounding from a shocking first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament in 2018 to win last season’s national championship.

However, like the Zags, Virginia finds themselves faced with the challenge of defending their title without many of the key personnel that powered their championship run. The turnover in personnel has contributed to a steady for the Cavaliers in national championship betting, where they peaked at +800 during the summer.

Virginia’s Mamadi Diakite was named to the 2020 Naismith Trophy watch list. The award is given to the best player in college basketball. Zion Williamson won the honor a year ago.

— Bennett Conlin (@BennettConlin) November 4, 2019

Gone are the Cavaliers’ top three scorers, who compiled a combined 44.2 points per game last season, with Kyle Guy, De’Andre Hunter, and Ty Jerome, all declaring for the NBA Draft.

That means this edition of the Cavaliers will likely place heavy emphasis on defense, with the offense being led by Mamadi Diakite, who opted to spend another season in Virginia.

Despite changes in personnel, the Cavaliers remain among the favorites to repeat as ACC regular-season champions, trailing only the Duke Blue Devils, and joining Louisville as +400 contenders. With a schedule that features just one matchup with an opponent currently in the Top 25 rankings over their first 20 outings, Virginia could once again benefit from the favorable seeding that helped lift the team to glory last spring.

Watch Out for Villanova

Crowned national champions in two of the past four seasons, the Villanova Wildcats have plenty to prove entering the new season after getting bounced from last season’s NCAA Tournament with a crushing second-round loss to Purdue.

The Wildcats saw seniors Eric Paschall and Phil Booth depart, but open the season just ahead of Virginia at No. 10 on the AP Top 25 rankings, and perched as strong +225 favorites to repeat as Big East champions.

Villanova has also remained largely stable in the national championship odds during the offseason, briefly climbing to +1800 before settling back to +2000.

Bryan Antoine one game highlights!! The BEST shooting guard in the country!! pic.twitter.com/4Kchc6Rz64

— TimToneyMedia (@timtoneymedia) January 9, 2019

The Wildcats also add a pair of five-star recruits that rank among the top 20 in the nation at 247sports, including forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and guard Bryan Antoine, who are joined by four-star freshman shooting guard Justin Moore. While that is a lot of young talent to develop, head coach Jay Wright has proven to be up to the task.

Under Wright’s guidance, the Wildcats saw four of their players get selected in the 2018 NBA Draft, but still rebounded to rack up a 13-5 conference record last season. This time around, Villanova returns to action with no shortage of talent, and the experience of last season’s March Madness disappointment. And if the squad can weather the storm while Antoine recovers from a shoulder injury that is expected to sideline him until later this month, the Wildcats should once again emerge as a national championship threat.