Alabama News

In his first year for consideration, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has landed in the “NFL Top 100.”

In its 15th year, “NFL Top 100” features a ranking for the league’s best 100 players as selected by the players for NFL Films.

On the 2025 list, Nix placed 64th in the voting, the NFL revealed on Thursday.

The former Pinson Valley High School and Auburn standout joined the Broncos as the 12th selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Nix completed 376-of-567 passes for 3,775 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while starting every regular-season game.

Denver posted a 10-7 record to earn its first playoff berth since the 2015 season.

Nix’s touchdown passes rank second in the NFL rookie record book, and his passing yards rank eighth. With seven games of at least 200 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, Nix had the most for a first-year player in league history.

RELATED: BO NIX WORKS WITH NFL GREAT IN PREPARATION FOR HIS SECOND SEASON

Using a new digital-first format this year, “NFL Top 100” is being revealed two players at a time every weekday on the social-media platform X until Sept. 1, when the top 10 players for 2025, as selected by their peers, will be announced on NFL Network at 7 p.m. CDT.

Nix is the third player to make the 2025 “NFL Top 100” based on his rookie performance. The other players heading into their second season who have appeared in the countdown have been Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey at No. 100 and New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabors at No. 67.

Nix is the fourth player from an Alabama high school or college to appear in this year’s rankings, with Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) at No. 82, New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama) at No. 87, and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) at No. 91.

In addition to Nix and Tagovailoa, the other quarterbacks who have appeared so far have been the Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love at No. 68, the Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold (who played for the Minnesota Vikings last season) at No. 72 and the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott at No. 79.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

The latest rendition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown will take place in Cleveland, Ohio this week. Next weekend’s SummerSlam event at MetLife Stadium will be massive, so this week’s show will be crucial to the current storylines going on.

Last week, Cody Rhodes forced John Cena to finally sign their SummerSlam 2025 contract. It came with one stipulation: the match will be a Street Fight. The two-day SummerSlam event is expected to be a crazy time, as there’s also going to be a Steel Cage match between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.

After scouring multiple sites for tickets, here’s the starting prices for Friday night’s show in Cleveland:

• Seatgeek – Prices starting at $68 (cheapest starting price)
• Vivid Seats – Prices starting at $79
• Gametime – Prices starting at $80
• Stubhub – Prices starting at $82

Here’s everything you need to know before Friday’s show:

When: Friday, July 25, 2025

Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

A New Jersey-based bank is suing a Birmingham-based law firm, alleging legal malpractice over a loan made to a troubled Tampa, Fla. senior living center.

Valley National Bank is seeking compensatory damages from Burr & Forman, along with costs, according to a report in the Birmingham Business Journal.

Attempts to contact the firm for comment were not immediately successful.

The lawsuit stems from a $15 million loan made in 2014 to University Village, a senior living facility that has twice filed for bankruptcy and has been the source of fraud and mismanagement allegations for more than a decade.

Valley National Bank paid $3.2 million in February to settle a legal dispute related to the loan.

According to the lawsuit filed last week in Florida, Valley would never have closed on the loan if it had known the violations to Florida law committed by the facility’s owner at the time, Westport Holdings Tampa.

The attorney who advised on the loan allegedly confessed to lacking the legal expertise on issues related to Florida continuing care facilities before the loan’s closing, according to the suit.

Leading up to the 2025 season, AL.com is highlighting the top high school football players in Alabama.

We looked at the best running backs in 1A, and now it’s time for the best quarterbacks in 1A.

We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team. These lists were compiled primarily based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.

If you are an Alabama high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email [email protected] or [email protected]. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.

BEST QUARTERBACKS, ALABAMA 1A

Tytan Blevins, jr., Valley Head

Blevins enters the 2025 campaign having rushed for more than 1,500 yards in each of the past two seasons under fourth-year coach Charles Hammon. Blevins, who squats 405 pounds and runs a 4.5-second 30-yard dash, accounted for 17 touchdowns in the Tigers’ single wing system during his sophomore season.

Kyle Boice, sr., Billingsley

After leading Class 1A in receiving yards in 2023 and 2024, Boice, a reigning Alabama Sports Writers Association first-team all-state wideout, will transition to quarterback for the Bears this season. “Kyle will be the backbone for our program,” Billingsley coach Lanny Jones said.

Eric Curtis, jr., Ider

Coming off an 0-10 season, first-year coach Josh Clements will rely on field general Curtis to help right the ship for the Hornets. “Eric and his teammates all work to raise the standard in the pursuit of building a successful program,” Clements said.

Gage Davis, jr., Florala

Davis threw for more than 2,400 yards with 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2024. He passed for at least 250 yards in eight games for the Wildcats, including a six-touchdown performance at Bayshore Christian.

Brayden Dixon, fr., McIntosh

Dixon, a transfer from Leroy, will take over the signal-calling duties for the Demons and coach Joshua Harris. “Brayden has a big arm,” Harris said after Dixon led the Bears to a 40-12 rout over McIntosh in September.

Kevin Freeman, so., Brantley

Freeman enters the season in the starting role after serving as the Bulldogs’ backup last year. “Kevin is a great young talent with a lot of upside,” Brantley coach Andrew Lowery said. “He has a great football IQ and is very coachable. He puts stress on defenses in the pass game with his arm and can also hurt you with his legs as he’s a hard runner.”

Brocke Goacher, sr., Waterloo

In his second year back at the helm and eighth overall with the Cougars, coach Brad Palmer will look to Goacher to help Waterloo rebound from a 2-8 record in 2024. The versatile multisport athlete could provide enough senior leadership and spark to see the Cougars flirt with their first winning season since 2020.

Quay Jackson, sr., McKenzie

As one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state, Jackson passed for 31 touchdowns and rushed for 12 more, leading the Tigers to a 10-2 mark last season. He threw for 2,343 yards with only six interceptions, and he rushed for 585 yards on 58 carries in 2024. Jackson received first-team all-state honors.

Bernard McCaster, sr., Georgiana

McCaster begins the season as a four-year starter aiming to help the Panthers improve on an 8-5 record in 2024. “Bernard is a great leader who makes his teammates want to compete and get better,” fifth-year Georgiana coach Berry Bess said. “He’s the first guy on the field and last guy off type of player.”

Evan McCay, jr., Meek

McCay accounted for 12 touchdowns and became the captain of the offense over the second half of last season as the Tigers reeled off eight consecutive wins. Entering his third year as starting quarterback, the junior will try to lead Meek back to the playoffs in 2025.

Rob McDougle, jr., Pickens County

Pickens County coach Michael Williams said he is excited about the 6-foot-3 McDougle’s ability to run the Tornadoes’ offense and his progress from last season. “Rob has worked a lot on his strength and is ready to become a big-time QB in this state,” Williams said.

Daquan Norwood, sr., Sweet Water

Norwood, a three-year starter at safety, takes over at starting quarterback for coach Pat Thompson, in his 11th season with the Bulldogs. Norwood will shift from wide receiver for a Sweet Water squad that went 10-3 and reached the second round of the playoffs last season.

Elijah Roberts, jr., Addison

Bulldogs coach Mark Hastings had this to say regarding Roberts: “Elijah is one of the most talented players to come through our program. He has all the tools: speed, arm strength, elusiveness and the ability to make plays at any time. He is a playmaker. He has the ability to not only line up and play QB but can play any of the skill positions on the field and make a difference. He also plays safety and corner on defense. The fastest kid on the team, and he leads with his work ethic and passion to know more of the game.”

Brantlee Seals, so., Fruitdale

Seals threw for 10 touchdowns and 769 yards as a freshman, and he hopes to help revitalize a Pirates team which finished 1-10 in 2024. Can he do it? “I am looking for Seals to have a very big year at the QB position,” Fruitdale coach Lane Brown said. “He started a couple games for us last year and looked really good at times. He is a very smart kid and quick learner. I am looking for him to take a big step in the offense this year.”

Jayden Smith, sr., Berry

Smith will transition from wide receiver to quarterback as the Wildcats attempt to improve on an 11-2 season that ended in a third-round playoff matchup with eventual state champion Wadley. Smith had 11 catches and 344 yards for veteran coach Danny Raines (16th year at Berry) in 2024.

Damarious Spraddling, sr., Wadley

The defending state champion Bulldogs will turn to Spraddling as their new starting quarterback this season. First-year head coach Dake Rivers has faith: “Damarious will be our signal-caller on offense. It’s his first year doing it, but he is electric with the ball in his hands.”

Caden Welford, sr., Millry

Welford will go behind center for a Wildcats team coming off an 8-5 season and a third-round playoff defeat versus 2024 state runner-up Maplesville. Millry coach Shane Hendry said Welford is a “great kid that loves to work and compete.”

Pearce Yeargan, sr., Maplesville

Yeargan threw for 1,598 yards and 23 touchdowns for the 2024 state runner-up Red Devils, earning honorable mention all-state. “Pearce is a hard-nosed kid and definitely wants the ball in big moments,” Maplesville coach Brad Abbott said.

For complete coverage of Alabama high school football, including schedules, scores, recruiting news and additional player spotlights, visit AL.com’s high school sports section throughout the season.

McDonald’s has a new item on its McValue Meal Deal— the Daily Double cheeseburger.

The sandwich has two beef patties, a slice of American cheese, shredded lettuce, onions, mayo, and two tomato slices. McDonald’s tested the burger in a number of markets, including Chicago, Miami, and Seattle. The burger chain says the sandwich will be on the menu nationwide for the remainder of the year, reports USA TODAY.

You can add the Daily Double as part of a McValue Meal Deal that comes with a 4-piece order of Chicken McNuggets, small fries and small drink.

The Snack Wrap returns

The Snack Wrap, McDonald’s cult favorite wrap with lettuce, cheese, chicken, and signature sauce inside a flour tortilla returned to the menu on July 10.

The Snack Wrap is available in two flavors: Ranch, featuring hints of garlic and onion, and Spicy, which has a habanero kick. McDonald’s lovers can score the Snack Wrap for $2.99.

What are people saying about the Snack Wrap?

The reviews are rolling in for the Snack Wrap. Here’s what writers from PEOPLE magazine had tot say:

“I remember eating these in the back of my mom’s car when I was a kid and this just brought me all the way back,” one editor said of the Ranch flavor. “The tortilla is extra chewy and not grilled, the ranch is warm and melts into the lettuce. And the chicken? Crispy and tender. No notes, we’re so back.”

“McDonald’s brought back a classic — and they delivered! It still has its same signature taste, with the spicy version tasting just spicy enough to notice the heat,” one editor said. “It’s balanced with ranch dressing as well. You will def need more than one to really feel full, as it truly is a cute little snack.”

Owala Life’s latest color drop is a stylish reminder to be kind to oneself. Covered feel-good messages and deck out in hues of emerald green, pastel orange and pink, the new Owala “Kind Mind” 40oz FreeSip water bottle isn’t expected to stay on shelves for long.

The new Owala “Kind Mind” water bottle features phrases such “Be kind to your mind,” “Live. Laugh. Sip.,” “Take it easy” and more. These are simple, yet powerful reminders to take it easy on yourself. Meanwhile, its pastel colors and fun lettering give it that extra boost of serotonin, making it a perfect fashion accessory to carry around. This new Owala design is especially great for those going back to school this fall and probably needs a gentle reminder every now and then.

RELATED: The new Messi x Stanley 1913 Collection is blue, gold and going fast

“We covered this bottle with feel-good messages to keep positivity flowing with every sip. Because a little self-love goes a long way, and let’s be honest, hydration hits different when you’re surrounded by good vibes,” Owala states.

The Owala “Kind Mind” water bottle runs at $45 each while inventory is still available. Like all other Owala FreeSip water bottles, it comes with the signature “sip or swig” spout. Hold it upright to sip through the built-in straw or tilt back to swig through the wide-mouth opening. Not to mention, it is totally leak-proof and comes with a convenient button to flip the top open and pushes back down to lock shut (and keep out germs).

Those interested in the new Owala Life 40oz FreeSip water bottle can checkout the full listing on Owala’s website here.

Hulk Hogan, WWE’s iconic wrestler, died Thursday at the age of 71.

According to TMZ, which first reported the news, medical personnel were dispatched to the wrestling legend’s home in Clearwater, Fla. According to the report, operators stated it was regarding a “cardiac arrest.”

Jimmy Hart, Hogan’s longtime friend, just took to social media Tuesday to debunk reports Hogan’s health was in decline. In fact, he shared a positive update.

“Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal!” Hart posted on X. “Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!”

RELATED: Hogan recently was in Alabama

TMZ reported Hogan’s wife, Sky, denied rumors earlier this summer he was in a coma, saying his heart was “strong” as he recovered from neck surgeries.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide, the most popular wrestler of the 1980s and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Known for his mustache and bandanas, Hogan parlayed his popularity into a bit of a movie career. Perhaps most notably as “Thunderlips the Ultimate Male” where he battled Sylvester Stallone’s Rock Balboa in a charity boxing-wrestling match in “Rocky III.”

But his bread and butter, however, was WWE. He was the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches back in 1990 and 1991. His 1988 match with André the Giant on “WWF The Main Event” had more than 33 million viewers.

After a brief departure from wrestling, he signed with the WCW in 1994 where he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times.

This post will be updated.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

President Donald Trump on Thursday denied wanting to harm Elon Musk’s companies despite alluding to taking away Musk’s lucrative government contracts and subsidies during the heat of their feud last month.

“Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elon’s companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government. This is not so! I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before! The better they do, the better the USA does, and that’s good for all of us. We are setting records every day, and I want to keep it that way!” the president posted to his Truth Social account Thursday morning.

The world’s most powerful man got into a very public spat with the world’s richest man last month amid Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Trump claimed Musk was upset about electric vehicle subsidies being discontinued under the legislation — a measure that would harm one of Musk’s company: the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla.

Musk called the bill a “disgusting abomination.”

Days later, Trump claimed Musk was “wearing thin” and went “crazy.”

“I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!” Trump posted last month.

Musk then dropped a “big bomb,” alleging that Trump has not lived up to his promise of releasing the Epstein files because the president is mentioned in them.

“Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files,” he wrote. “That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”

The tweet is no longer on Musk’s timeline on X, but the world’s richest man has continued to tweet about the Epstein files.

Some observers claimed Trump’s Truth Social post on Thursday was a message to Musk: keep quiet about the Epstein files and your companies will continue to receive subsidies.

“Ok so maybe Elon knows even more about Trump and Epstein,” tweeted Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter to President Barack Obama and co-host of the “Pod Save America” podcast.

The Republicans Against Trump account on X had a similar reaction to the president’s Truth.

“Is Trump warning Musk to stay quiet about the Epstein scandal, or risk losing his subsidies?” the account wondered.

Trump has been dogged by the Epstein scandal this month, when a joint Department of Justice and FBI memo was released saying there was “no incriminating ‘client list’” and “no credible evidence” that Epstein blackmailed co-conspirators who sexually abused underaged girls provided by him, Axios first reported.

The memo stirred outrage among Trump’s most ardent supporters who trusted the president’s word during the campaign to release the files.

For experienced sports bettors new to college basketball betting, or new bettors familiar with college basketball but not yet betting on it, this introduction to college basketball national championship odds guide is for you.

Read below to find all of the current odds favorites for the 2025-26 national championship, and key factors, strategies, and risks to consider when placing college basketball futures bets.

Favorites for the 2025-26 national championship

Below, we have listed out the current favorites for the 2025-26 national championship and their March Madness betting odds as of July 23, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Factors influencing favorites

Six major factors influence the odds for the current favorites to win the national championship: injuries, coaching, transfer portal, recruiting, chemistry and returners.

Injuries

Unfortunately, injuries are a factor in all sports.

Throughout the history of college basketball, we have seen seasons derailed by injuries to key players. While injuries are unpredictable, bettors can improve their odds for a successful futures wager by paying attention to injury updates and studying the injury history of players on that respective team.

If a key player has had lingering injuries previously, it is advisable to avoid betting on that team because that player’s availability could make or break your bet.

Coaching

Let’s face it: coaching matters a lot.

When browsing through the list of national champions over the past few decades, there are an incredible number of coaching legends.

This list includes Coach K, Jay Wright, Tony Bennett, Dan Hurley, Bill Self, Roy Williams, John Calipari, Jim Calhoun, Billy Donovan, Rick Pitino and Jim Boeheim.

In short, the greatest coaches always find a way through the gauntlet, so taking a futures bet flier on a mid-major program with a relatively unknown coach is unadvisable.

Transfer portal

The transfer portal and NIL era have changed college basketball, giving any program a chance at relevancy.

Teams that have more NIL funds at their disposal can effectively “buy” players now, which is a massive advantage when it comes to building a team.

UConn grabbed Cam Spencer in the portal in 2023 and won a title the following year, while Florida brought in Walter Clayton Jr. from Iona in 2023 and secured the 2025 national championship.

While the portal has become important in roster construction, it is still just one of many factors that can make or break a program.

Recruiting

Which recruits are coming into a program?

Can they make an immediate impact from Day 1, similar to Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel for the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024-25 season?

Over the past few decades, freshmen have become higher-impact players. Flagg and Duke’s Zion Williamson are two players who took college basketball by storm and left with the coveted Wooden Award after one season.

Paying attention to the national rank of a particular program’s recruiting class matters when betting on futures.

Returners & team chemistry

Returning talent is vital for success in college basketball because of established on-court chemistry.

If a program falls just short of a National Championship in one season, but returns several key starters — similar to how UConn did when it won back-to-back national championships — it is in tremendous shape for the upcoming year.

Chemistry is important. Look no further than the Kansas Jayhawks, who arguably had the most talented roster from top to bottom in the 2024-25 regular season, but significantly underperformed relative to expectations.

Alabama national championship outlook

The Crimson Tide ran into a buzz saw in last season’s NCAA Tournament when they had to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight.

Despite falling short of another national championship, Duke strung together one of the most efficient seasons on both ends of the floor.

Still, Alabama’s success over the past two seasons, which includes a Final Four and Elite Eight appearance, is a sign that this program can overcome the loss of Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Chris Youngblood, and Cliff Omoruyi.

Luckily, Labaron Philon decided to come back to Tuscaloosa, and he will be joined by Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell Jr, Aiden Sherrell, and Houston Mallette as talented returners.

Head coach Nate Oats and the Tide also managed to secure the fifth-best recruiting class and a top 25 transfer portal class, so they should be an SEC heavyweight once again.

Auburn national championship outlook

After falling short of a national championship last season despite being one of the best teams in college basketball, the Auburn Tigers hope to regroup in 2025-26. and avenge their Final Four loss to Florida.

Auburn lost some massive contributors, including Johni Broome, who was a finalist for the Wooden Award, Chad Baker-Mazara, the team’s second-leading scorer, Dylan Cardwell, Miles Kelly, Chaney Johnson, and Denver Jones.

Tahaad Pettiford has the opportunity to be a major piece this season, but the question is whether the talent they grabbed in the portal will be enough to make them a true national contender.

Historical context of national championship odds

Past champions and their preseason odds

For some historical context, here are the past 10 national champions and their preseason betting odds, courtesy of SportsOddsHistory.com.

Trends in odds movement over seasons

Only twice in the past 10 seasons has a team with shorter than preseason 10-1 odds made it through the March Madness gauntlet to secure a national championship.

Therefore, don’t put much emphasis on heavy preseason favorites, as many things can change throughout the season, including injuries, chemistry issues, and underachieving.

Look no further than the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2024-25 season and the North Carolina Tar Heels in their 2022-23 campaign for evidence.

Key players and teams to watch

Impact of star players on odds

A highly touted transfer or blue-chip prospect can launch a particular team’s futures betting odds into the stratosphere.

The Michigan Wolverines are a perfect example.

The Wolverines leaned heavily on their two-headed frontcourt monster of Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf to lead them to a Big Ten Tournament championship.

However, Goldin and Wolf both departed for the NBA, so how can Michigan have the fifth-best national championship odds for this upcoming season?

Michigan brought in 5-star recruit Trey McKenney, one of the best guards in the 2025 class, but that was only the beginning.

Coach Dusty May also put together the second-best transfer portal class in the country, which includes 5-star forward Yaxel Lendeborg and three other 4-star recruits (Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau, and Aday Mara).

Add returners Roddy Gayle Jr., LJ Cason, and Will Tschetter, and Michigan has the experience, depth, coaching, and talent to go all the way.

Emerging talents for the 2025-26 Season

Below, we list the incoming freshmen who can make the biggest splashes in college basketball:

• AJ Dybantsa, BYU
• Cameron Boozer, Duke
• Darryn Peterson, Kansas
• Nate Ament, Tennessee
• Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
• Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
• Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
• Kiyan Anthony, Syracuse

Coaching changes and their effect on odds

Any time a program undergoes a coaching change, it is likely to result in a rebuilding period.

A first-year coach rarely has significant success. When it does happen, it counts as more of an exception than the rule.

For that reason, it is not advisable to wager on programs with new coaches as they have many new players and are still trying to implement their system on both ends of the floor.

While there are rare examples of new coaches surging in their first season, we suggest doing research before placing a futures bet on a program undergoing a coaching change.

Tips for betting on national championship futures

Bet on coaching

More often than not, teams that make deep tournament runs during March Madness have an elite head coach with an impressive resume.

Of course, there will always be Cinderellas that make a run to the Elite Eight or Final Four.

However, coaches who have dominated college basketball are more likely to have teams that can trudge through the gauntlet.

Bet on experience

Having a player like Cooper Flagg or Zion Williamson to lead a college team is undoubtedly exciting and leads to many wins.

With that being said, experience and veteran leadership matter once the NCAA Tournament rolls around.

The last time that a college basketball team won a National Championship with a freshman (or multiple freshmen) leading the program in key statistical categories was the Duke Blue Devils back in 2015.

Virginia, Villanova, North Carolina, UConn, Florida, Kansas, and Baylor all relied heavily on upperclassmen to propel their respective programs to a title.

Avoid injury-prone teams and players

The best ability is availability. When betting on team futures, such as the national championship winner, avoid injury-prone teams.

This tip is especially applicable if a team’s best player is injury-prone. It will be challenging for a college team to fill in the gaps without a major contributor, no matter its depth.

Using handicapping tools and analytics

While it should go without saying, it is vitally important to research before placing futures bets on college basketball teams at one of the best March Madness betting sites.

Here are a few handicapping tools and analytics sites to familiarize yourself with ahead of the upcoming college basketball season:

Sportsbooks and odds comparison

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel has a wide variety of college basketball, including team and player props (if you live in a state that allows player prop betting).

To sign up with the esteemed sportsbook, click on this FanDuel promo code (no code required) to claim a $150 bonus if your $5 bet wins.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings is the best overall sportsbook due to its impressive mobile app design, sleekness, and navigability, as well as favorable odds and bet types.

Since the DraftKings promo code (no code required) is not necessary, you only need to head to the sportsbook through our link or banner. New customers can bet $5 and get $150 instantly in bonus bets, regardless of the result of the initial wager.

BetMGM Sportsbook

From an odds standpoint, BetMGM is among the best online sportsbooks, especially for college basketball.

Use our exclusive BetMGM bonus code ALCOM1500 to get an incredible first-bet insurance offer of up to $1,500.

How to find the best odds

Shopping odds is one of the best ways to improve your chances of being a successful bettor.

A spread disparity of one point between two sportsbooks can be the difference between winning and losing.

The most optimal way to find the best odds available to you is by using a site like Oddschecker that aggregates all betting odds across the most popular sportsbooks.

Recent transfer portal movements

How transfers affect odds

In recent seasons, we have seen the importance that the transfer portal plays for programs looking to make a deep run during March Madness.

The Florida Gators, last season’s national champions, snagged Walter Clayton Jr out of the transfer portal from Iona in 2023.

Clayton’s importance to the Gators’ run cannot be overstated. He posted just shy of 23 points per game on a 47/44/91 shooting split.

A similar picture can be painted for previous champion UConn, which pried Cam Spencer away from Rutgers for the 2023-24 season.

Spencer was a 15-point-per-game scorer who shot just shy of 49% from the floor and 44% from 3-point land, spearheading one of the best offenses in the country.

In today’s college basketball landscape, the transfer portal can make or break teams, so expect transfers both in and out of a program to affect national championship odds.

March Madness and championship betting trends

Historical betting success in March Madness

Top recruits dominating the college game and heading straight to the NBA after their freshman campaign has become prevalent. However, freshman-led teams have not had as much success in the NCAA Tournament.

Except for the 2015 Duke Blue Devils (Tyus Jones, Jahlil Okafor, Grayson Allen, Justise Winslow), the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats (Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague), and the 2003 Syracuse Orange (Carmelo Anthony, Gerry McNamara Jr.), NCAA champions have largely been led by upperclassmen.

Even teams with historic levels of freshmen talent, such as the 2025 Duke Blue Devils, 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes, 2010 Kentucky Wildcats, and 2019 Duke Blue Devils, have fallen short of hoisting the championship trophy.

History suggests you should bet on teams with veteran leadership.

Common betting mistakes to avoid

The biggest betting mistake to avoid regarding futures betting is tying up too much of your bankroll.

Only a small percentage of your bankroll should be assigned to futures bets, as they remain locked throughout the year.

By placing a large percentage of your bankroll in futures, you limit your potential winnings from single-game bets.

Risks and considerations in betting

Understanding the volatility of futures bets

Futures bets often have much more favorable odds before the season. However, many variables can swing the outcome of a futures bet.

For example, injuries, coaching changes, and underachieving are why a futures bet might not pan out.

For these reasons, it is advised to spread your bankroll and not put all of it on futures bets, as they are highly volatile and can be considered long shots.

Responsible gambling tips

As mentioned above, make sure to only dedicate a small percentage of your bankroll to futures bets. And never bet more than you can afford to lose. These are two of the most important aspects of responsible gambling.

Futures betting is a fun way to get in on some season-long action, but they are considered long-shot bets for a reason.

Conclusion

When betting college basketball national championship futures, it is imperative to look at all the key factors that can propel a program ahead of other elite squads.

Injuries, coaching talent, the transfer portal, recruiting additions, team chemistry, and key returners are variables that can be the difference between being good and being great.

With that being said, it is still important to remember that futures betting is typically a long shot, as many things can happen, including injuries and coaching changes.

College basketball national championship odds FAQs

Who is favored to win the 2025-26 college basketball national championship?

The Purdue Boilermakers are favored to win the 2025-26 college basketball national championship. They return top players Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Daniel Jacobsen, CJ Cox, and Trey Kaufman-Renn, and brought in Oscar Cluff and Omer Mayer.

When and where will the 2025-26 national championship and Final Four games be played?

The Final Four and national championship games will be played on April 4, 2026, and April 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

When should I place my college basketball national championship futures bet?

The perfect time to place a college basketball national championship futures bet is hard to predict. However, most contending teams have the most favorable futures odds before the season.

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The short answer for whether or not you will be able to cash out a college basketball national championship futures bet before it settles is that it depends on the sportsbook and situation.

What is the minimum age to place a college basketball national championship futures bet?

In most states, sports bettors must be at least 21 years old to place a college basketball national championship futures bet.

Local Roots, a small Alabama chain that serves burgers, salads, and other sandwiches, announced that its Tuscaloosa location is closing in a post to Instagram this week.

“With heavy hearts, we share that this Thursday will be our last day open,” the business posted on Wednesday, July 23.

“We can’t thank this community enough for the love, support, and loyalty you’ve shown us over the past 8 years. While this chapter of Local Roots is coming to a close, the memories will stay with us forever.”

Following the recent closure of Local Roots’ Cahaba Heights location, which opened in 2022, this marks the end of the small chain’s time in Alabama.

“In 2016, we set out with a dream — to bring something new and innovative to Tuscaloosa,’ the Instagram announcement reads.

“We took a leap of faith with a food truck and a third-generation family fry recipe.”

The Local Roots fries, otherwise known as “grandaddy fries” soon became the restaurant’s claim to fame.

Locals flocked to Instagram this week to share their disappointment over the closure.

“So sad,” one commentor wrote.

“Truly my favorite place in town. Idk what I’ll do without grandaddy fries, the sriracha aioli and pickles.”

“Will y’all pls drop the fry recipe idk what I am gonna do without the literal best fries in town,” another said.

And one man summed up his feelings in a mere four words.

“Gone but never forgotten.”