Syracuse basketball gets early 80-to-1 odds at 2019 national title

If you ask Syracuse Orange fans every offseason, it’s always conceivable that this team could win a national title. It rarely happens (hi, 2003), but we usually feel like we’re close. That might be perceived as unrealistic. But it’s also just a product of inhabiting a space among the top 15-20 programs in the sport.

If you ask Vegas, they’re not incredibly high on the concept just yet. Still, you can already find 80-to-1 futures odds for Syracuse on the 2019 national title.

The Orange get lumped in with a significant number of conference teams in the 80-to-1 range, ranging from Texas and Texas A&M, to Wisconsin, Penn State, TCU and Butler.

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

In terms of the ACC squads included, here’s how everyone stacks up:

1. Duke Blue Devils (5/1)
2. North Carolina Tar Heels (12/1)
3. Virginia Cavaliers (15/1)
4. Clemson Tigers (60/1)
5. Miami Hurricanes (60/1)
6. N.C. State Wolfpack (60/1)
7. Florida State Seminoles (80/1)
8. Louisville Cardinals (80/1)
9. Syracuse Orange (80/1)
10. Virginia Tech Hokies (80/1)
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (200/1)
12. Boston College Eagles (300/1)
13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (500/1)
14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (500/1)

Pitt doesn’t get odds because they barely have a basketball program at current (though Jeff Capel was a good hire). Notably, mid-major programs Georgetown and UConn get 200/1 and 300/1 odds, respectively.

Running to the desert to place your bets already? I think the odds for the Orange are fair right now, given the questions around Tyus Battle’s return. Louisville’s odds are probably alright, though could fall. Virginia Tech honestly deserves better odds than they get here.

Looking forward to hearing the opinions of our group of professional and amateur gamblers.