Editor’s note: Jason La Canfora and Ben Hall are co-hosts of the Wanna Bet? show. For more of their expert gambling content, subscribe to their YouTube channel or check out wannabetwithus.com.
The futures markets are all about value. When we give out plays in the futures markets on our daily sports wagering show, we do so with an eye on finding the right time to maximize the potential return, and we aim to double (if not triple) our return for the most part. We have also found that it’s more difficult for Vegas to be super sharp on how it quantifies a power conference like the SEC versus, say, a low-major like the MEAC.
As we launch our partnership with Hoops HQ and set sail on the 2025-26 college basketball season, we plan to give plenty of attention to those power conference games that will be broadcast by the major networks. But we are going to pay special attention to under-the-radar games where we believe greater value can be found.
We base our decisions on what games to pick and what picks to make based solely on what our data tells us about efficiencies in the market that are ripe to be exploited. Here, then, are three futures plays we suggest you make as the new season tips off. And keep checking back at Hoops HQ, because there will be lots more plays coming your way.
San Francisco to win WCC (+750 Bet365)
As usual, Gonzaga is the preseason team to beat here, and the Zags are priced accordingly. Saint Mary’s has earned the right to be priced second as a tourney team, but USF’s backcourt could be nasty, and while the Dons lost two all-conference performers they also return a deeper core than maybe any team in the WCC. In an era of constant yearly upheaval, a fair amount of continuity can go a long way. Oregon transfer Mookie Cook could be a true difference maker. If Gonzaga suffers an injury or two – or slips up at all – this could be a wide-open conference. We really like how the Dons finished last season. The Bay Area seems to be embracing them more and more. If you’re looking for a really deep cut out west, put a little sprinkle on Seattle. The Redhawks are on the come and can get you 40-1 return.
BYU to win Big 12 (+450 BetMGM)
Maybe Houston has a little hangover. Maybe not. Either way, BYU displayed the size and tenacity to be a true power a year ago. The Cougars have a true home-court and altitude advantage, and they had the best offseason, potentially, of any program in the country. BYU is the only team in the conference with two preseason All-Big 12 players and the campus is abuzz about what freshman A.J. Dybantsa can do. There might not be a better point guard transfer in the country than Robert Wright III (Baylor). Lest we forget, BYU went 14-6 in this brutally tough conference a year ago. This team is battle tested.
If you’re looking for a little more value, Kansas (+700) is probably being a little disrespected in the betting markets as well. The Jayhawks had a tremendous portal cycle and the vibes have to be much better there. Saying good-bye to Hunter Dickinson is additional by subtraction and they won’t collapse like a year ago when the portal pieces didn’t fit.
Towson to win CAA (+325 Caesars)
The CAA is all about defense and rebounding and Pat Skerry’s program continues to excel at both. A year ago the Tigers lacked a true big man and still won the conference. The coaches poll tapped them to do it again, yet they are far from the betting favorites to repeat as CAA regular season champs. Somehow, they kept two All-Conference performers from hitting the portal to bigger (and greener) pastures (Tyler Tejada and Dylan Williamson) and added a 7-footer from Fresno State who should fill a size void. Skerry scheduled a non-conference gauntlet to get his team prepared for conference play. With Delaware (notorious for ending the Tigers season) out of the CAA, maybe this group can finally return to the big dance. Either way, this group is stout on the road and out-performed Charleston and UNC-Wilmington head-to-head in the regular season a year ago.
