John Calipari’s shocking Kentucky departure is causing a massive shake-up on the college basketball oddsboard for the 2024-25 season.
Arkansas officially announced the signing of the legendary head coach Wednesday, signing him to a five-year contract with a base salary of $7 million per season, and immediately vaulted into the national championship conversation with the move.
The Razorbacks jumped from 70/1 to 30/1 at DraftKings Sportsbook after word got out about Calipari’s impending exit from Lexington.
2025 NCAA Men’s March Madness odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Duke | +1000 |
| UConn | +1000 |
| Kansas | +1400 |
| Houston | +1400 |
| North Carolina | +1400 |
| Alabama | +1600 |
| Arizona | +1600 |
| Kentucky | 20/1 |
| Baylor | 20/1 |
| Iowa State | 25/1 |
| Auburn | 25/1 |
| Gonzaga | 25/1 |
| Arkansas | 30/1 |
| Purdue | 30/1 |
They are now tied with the national title runner-up Purdue Boilermakers for the 13th-best odds.
Arkansas took a step back last season, finishing 16-17 after making the NCAA Tournament in three seasons prior under head coach Eric Musselman, who departed for USC shortly after the seasons ended.
Musselman led Arkansas to the Elite Eight in 2021 and 2022 and the Sweet 16 in 2023.
In Calipari’s wake, the Wildcats 2025 national championship chances took a dip at DraftKings, falling from +1600 to +2000, tied with the Baylor Bears for the eighth-best odds in the country.
Kentucky had been a perennial championship contender under Calipari’s watch, missing the NCAA Tournament just twice in his 15 seasons, including a national title in 2012.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan and Baylor head coach Scott Drew have been rumored as potential Calipari replacements.
Betting on College Basketball?
The Duke Blue Devils and UConn Huskies (+1000) are the early co-favorites to win next year’s title.
The Huskies are looking to become the first team since the John Wooden-led UCLA Bruins in the early 1970s to win three straight national championships.
The North Carolina Tar Heels, Kansas Jayhawks and Houston Cougars – who all sit at +1400 – round out the top five on DraftKings’ oddsboard.
