NCAA Tournament appears to be up for grabs

Nothing is quite like March Madness, and this year's edition of the men's tournament promises to be as unpredictable as ever.

North Carolina could become the first preseason No. 1 to miss the NCAA tournament. It's been that kind of year.

Per Oddschecker, Houston has the shortest odds of winning the championship but is anything but a sure thing.

The Cougars are at +700 to win the national title in April, and while their odds may shorten the closer we get to Selection Sunday, it's possible they open with the longest odds of any tournament favorite of the past few years.

Gonzaga was the pre-tournament favorite to win the championship the past two seasons (+215 in 2021 and +250 in 2022). In 2019, Duke had the best pre-tournament odds at +225.

Houston's odds are also longer than the past three champions' pre-tournament odds. Virginia won in 2019 at +500, while Baylor followed in 2021 at +250. Kansas won last year after entering the tournament at +600.

The Jayhawks (+900), with the second-shortest odds, are among the top contenders for this year's championship. Alabama (+1000) and Purdue and UCLA (both at +1200) round out the top five.

Kansas is looking to become the first program since Florida in 2006 and 2007 to win back-to-back men's basketball national titles. Houston, Alabama and Purdue seek a first national championship trophy. UCLA hasn't won a national title since the 1994-95 season. 

March Madness always delivers, and we have every reason to believe it will again this year.