2018-19 College Basketball Rankings: AP Top 25 Poll vs. National Championship Odds

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.