UConn is the reigning king of college basketball, but it's another team taking top billing in the Big East conference to start the season.
Marquette finished first in the 2023-24 Big East Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Golden Eagles, who won both the Big East regular season and tournament titles last season, are ranked No. 5 in the country.
Creighton, UConn, and Villanova are also ranked in the top 25 entering the new season. Let's take a look at Big East basketball futures odds and bets to make on the 2023-24 conference champion.
Big East basketball championship odds for 2023-24 season at top sportsbooks
Check out the best Big East basketball odds on top sports betting apps. These are live odds that are automatically updated.
This time last year, Marquette head coach Shaka Smart and the Golden Eagles were picked to finish ninth in the Big East. Smart guided the Golden Eagles to a 29-7 overall record and shattered those expectations by winning the regular season and conference tournament titles.
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Big East basketball betting preview: Top contenders to win conference title
Here's a look at the top contenders in the Big East based on futures odds as the college basketball season tips off tonight.
Marquette Golden Eagles
Eight of Marquette's nine top scorers return this season led by Big East Player of the Year Tyler Kolek. The senior guard will again direct the Marquette offense after being named All-American with 12.9 points and 7.5 assists per game a year ago.
The Golden Eagles are a veteran-laden team with four starters returning as upperclassmen. Fellow guard Kam Jones is back as Marquette's leading scorer from last season (15.1 ppg).
Top rebounder Oso Ighodaro (5.9 reg) is a force down low on both ends of the floor. He also led Marquette with 1.5 blocks per game last season.
Smart earned national Coach of Year honors last season, and has the Golden Eagles poised for more success. This is a deep team that will try and atone for its 69-60 loss to Michigan State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.
Key early games on the 2023-24 schedule:
Marquette travels to No. 25 Illinois on Nov. 14. The Golden Eagles then play in the Maui Invitational, opening with UCLA on Nov. 20. The winner of that game will likely face No. 1 Kansas the following day.
Creighton Bluejays
Creighton advanced to the Elite Eight last season before losing to San Diego State, which ended up losing to UConn in the championship game.
Ryan Kalkbrenner is one of the Big East's most dominant centers at 7-foot-1. He averaged a team-high 15.9 points per game last season.
Do-it-all forward Baylor Scheierman is another key cog in the offense. He led the Bluejays with 8.3 rebounds per game last season after transferring from South Dakota State. Scheierman averaged 12.8 points behind while shooting 36% from behind the arc.
Nobody shot the three-ball better than aptly named guard Trey Alexander, who connected on 41% of his shots from long distance to lead Creighton. Only Kalkbrenner scored more last year as Alexander was good for 13.6 ppg.
Creighton starts the season ranked No. 8 in the nation.
Key early games on the 2023-24 schedule:
The Bluejays get No. 24 Alabama on Dec. 16 before opening Big East play versus No. 22 Villanova on Dec. 20.
Other Big East basketball championship contenders
UConn will try to become the first team since Florida (2006-2007) to win consecutive national titles. Villanova last won the national championship in 2018.
UConn Huskies
- Preseason ranking: No. 6
- Head coach: Danny Hurley
- Top returning scorer: Tristen Newton (10.1 ppg)
- Key early game: Dec. 1 at No. 1 Kansas
Villanova Wildcats
- Preseason ranking: No. 22
- Head coach: Kyle Neptune
- Top returning scorer: Eric Dixon (15.4 ppg)
- Key early game: Nov. 17 vs. Maryland
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What Big East teams have best odds to win 2023-24 national championship?
UConn and Marquette have the best odds to win a national championship for the Big East to start the season. Check out futures odds on men's basketball teams to win the 2023-24 national title across the sports betting industry:
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