Kentucky had barely cut down the nets in New Orleans for its eighth NCAA men's basketball championship before prognosticators began looking ahead to next year.
The Wildcats, one of the most loaded teams in recent memory, were the favorite from the beginning of the year and proved all of the experts right when they defeated Kansas 67-59 on Monday night. It was John Calipari's first title after four trips to the Final Four, but can he repeat as a champion next year?
Calipari said after the victory that he'd like to guide a team to an undefeated season, but that could be a tough test next year if the majority of his starting lineup leaves for the NBA, as expected. Calipari could be without six key contributors next year: Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Doron Lamb, Marquis Teague, and Darius Miller.
Even with the potential losses, RJ Bell of Pregame.com still has the Wildcats as the early favorite in 2013. Bell has the Wildcats at 6 to 1 odds to win a NCAA title again next year.
Kansas, the national title runner-up, doesn't have quite as good odds to win. The Jayhawks are expected to lose Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor, the team's two primary playmakers, and are 18 to 1 to win in 2013.
Other notable programs are Louisville at 9 to 1, Indiana at 10 to 1, Ohio State at 10 to 1, and North Carolina at 10 to 1.
The full list is available here:
Kentucky: 6 to 1
Baylor: 8 to 1
Louisville: 9 to 1
Indiana: 10 to 1
Ohio State: 10 to 1
North Carolina: 10 to 1
Syracuse: 11 to 1
Michigan: 12 to 1
Wisconsin: 14 to 1
NC St: 15 to 1
Duke: 15 to 1
San Diego St: 18 to 1
Kansas: 18 to 1
Michigan St: 20 to 1
Memphis: 20 to 1
Kansas St: 25 to 1
Florida St: 30 to 1
Maryland: 30 to 1
Creighton: 30 to 1
Texas: 30 to 1
Florida: 35 to 1
Notre Dame: 35 to 1
St. Mary's: 35 to 1
Marquette: 38 to 1
Gonzaga: 40 to 1
New Mexico: 40 to 1
Georgetown: 43 to 1
Clemson: 45 to 1
UCLA: 45 to 1
UNLV: 45 to 1
VCU: 45 to 1
