2026-27 College Basketball Futures: Experience & Value Picks

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Pushing The Odds with Matt Perrault

Experience Shapes the College Basketball Futures Market

With NIL, the transfer portal and constant roster movement reshaping college basketball, it is difficult to enter the futures market before seeing what each team looks like. Court rulings and appeals add more uncertainty because a player who is eligible today could be ineligible tomorrow.

The best approach may be to lean on experienced teams with several returning players. Florida stands out after bringing back Condon, Howe and Chinillo from what was considered the best front line in college basketball last season. Denzel Aberdeen is also back this year.

UConn is another team worth considering because of the players it returns. Seton Hall also has an intriguing addition in Naji Hines, known as “Baby Shaq.” He could have an impact similar to what Dan Hurley achieved with Terrace Reed Junior after he arrived from Michigan, and Hines may be even better.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding eligibility and roster availability, there is little reason to commit significant money before the season begins. If the expected players remain available, however, Saint John’s at 30-to-1 will be a potential play.

Saint John’s gets Ian Jackson back and adds Tusafu, along with Keyshaun Hall if he can stay. Hall, a dynamic scorer at Auburn, gives Rick Pitino what could be his best offensive lineup at Saint John’s. If the group can defend and play together, the 30-to-1 price offers value and could reasonably be closer to 20-to-1 or 15-to-1 based on the incoming talent.