The Associated Press released its first Top 25 Poll for the 2018-19 college basketball season with Kansas taking the top spot ahead of Kentucky, Gonzaga, Duke and Virginia.
Below is a look how the college basketball AP Top 25 compares to current national championship futures odds from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.
*All odds as of Oct. 22
2018-19 College Basketball Rankings
Kansas Jayhawks
- AP Poll rank: 1
- National title odds rank: T-5 (8-1)
Despite being the No. 1 team in the opening AP rankings, the Jayhawks are tied for fifth-best odds to win the title.
Kentucky Wildcats
- AP Poll rank: 2
- National title odds rank: T-3 (7-1)
Gonzaga Bulldogs
- AP Poll rank: 3
- National title odds rank: T-3 (7-1)
The Zags have jumped to 7-1 after initially opening at 15-1 in April.
Duke Blue Devils
- AP Poll rank: 4
- National title odds rank: 1 (9-2)
With the top recruiting class (once again), Duke is the clear favorite to win the national championship, according to current betting odds.
Virginia Cavaliers
- AP Poll rank: 5
- National title odds rank: T-8 (20-1)
Tennessee Volunteers
- AP Poll rank: 6
- National title odds rank: 9 (25-1)
The Vols received one first-place vote, meaning at least one AP voter will be happy to see Tennessee available at 25-1.
Nevada Wolf Pack
- AP Poll rank: 7
- National title odds rank: 6 (12-1)
This might surprise many casual college basketball fans, but both the AP Poll and betting odds consider Nevada a legitimate contender this season.
The Wolf Pack's title odds have skyrocketed since opening at 60-1.
North Carolina Tar Heels
- AP Poll rank: 8
- National title odds rank: T-5 (8-1)
The Tar Heels are considered a top-five team according to betting odds, but landed at No. 8 in the AP Poll.
Villanova Wildcats
- AP Poll rank: 9
- National title odds rank: T-14 (30-1)
Villanova opened among the 2018-19 national championship favorites at 8-1, but has since plummeted to 30-1.
Michigan State Spartans
- AP Poll rank: 10
- National title odds rank: T-14 (30-1)
Auburn Tigers
- AP Poll rank: 11
- National title odds rank: T-18 (40-1)
Kansas State Wildcats
- AP Poll rank: 12
- National title odds rank: T-29 (80-1)
The difference between the Top 25 and current odds certainly catches the eye with K-State: A top-12 team in the AP Poll that's available at a long-shot price of 80-1.
West Virginia Mountaineers
- AP Poll rank: 13
- National title odds rank: T-14 (30-1)
Oregon Ducks
- AP Poll rank: 14
- National title odds rank: T-8 (20-1)
Similar to North Carolina, Oregon appears to be undervalued by the AP Poll when comparing the Ducks' ranking to Vegas' expectations.
Virginia Tech Hokies
- AP Poll rank: 15
- National title odds rank: T-23 (60-1)
Virginia Tech appears to be overrated by AP voters based on its 60-1 odds in Vegas.
Syracuse Orange
- AP Poll rank: 16
- National title odds rank: T-20 (50-1)
Florida State Seminoles
- AP Poll rank: 17
- National title odds rank: T-23 (60-1)
Mississippi State Bulldogs
- AP Poll rank: 18
- National title odds rank: T-48 (100-1)
Mississippi State is the first of a handful of teams included in the AP's Top 25 with odds of 100-1 or worse to win the title.
Michigan Wolverines
- AP Poll rank: 19
- National title odds rank: T-14 (30-1)
TCU Horned Frogs
- AP Poll rank: 20
- National title odds rank: T-48 (100-1)
UCLA Bruins
- AP Poll rank: 21
- National title odds rank: T-14 (30-1)
UCLA is likely higher up the odds board than it should be due to name recognition and oddsmakers anticipating Bruins action no matter the price.
Clemson Tigers
- AP Poll rank: 22
- National title odds rank: T-48 (100-1)
LSU Tigers
- AP Poll rank: 23
- National title odds rank: T-48 (100-1)
Purdue Boilermakers
- AP Poll rank: 24
- National title odds rank: T-20 (50-1)
Purdue also appears to be undervalued as the Boilermakers have better national championship odds than seven teams ranked ahead of them in the AP Poll.
Washington Huskies
- AP Poll rank: 25
- National title odds rank: T-69 (200-1)
At 200-1, Washington is a surprise addition to the AP Top 25.
