As the dust settles on the 2025 NCAA basketball season, oddsmakers have already turned their attention to next year—and Purdue has emerged as the early betting favorite to cut down the nets in 2026. Following a dominant season that saw the Boilermakers reach the Final Four and return a strong core of players, sportsbooks have installed Matt Painter’s squad at the top of the odds boards.
The Boilermakers are coming off one of the most consistent stretches in program history, and despite the graduation of key veterans, they’re expected to remain among the nation’s elite. Purdue’s success in both recruiting and player development has fueled growing confidence that 2026 could finally be the year they break through for their first NCAA championship.
Much of Purdue’s optimism centers around its returning talent. Guard Myles Colvin is expected to take a significant leap as a junior, offering explosive athleticism and improved shooting. Forward Trey Kaufman-Renn provides stability and toughness in the paint, while sophomore point guard Braden Smith has shown poise well beyond his years. Add to that one of the top incoming recruiting classes in the Big Ten—including 5-star center Malik Thomas—and it’s easy to see why expectations are sky-high.
Head coach Matt Painter, now one of the longest-tenured coaches in the country, continues to elevate the program’s national profile. Known for his disciplined, efficient style of play and strong defensive schemes, Painter has taken Purdue to new heights over the last decade. After years of building deep, experienced teams, the Boilermakers appear ready to take that final step.
Of course, the road to a national title is never easy. Traditional powerhouses like Kansas, Duke, and North Carolina also find themselves near the top of the 2026 odds, and SEC threats like Alabama and Kentucky are expected to reload with top-tier talent. Still, Purdue’s combination of experience, coaching, and roster balance gives them a slight edge—at least according to Vegas.
Fans in West Lafayette are already buzzing with anticipation. After years of heartbreak in March, the possibility of a championship run in 2026 feels more real than ever. With key pieces returning and momentum at their backs, the Boilermakers may be poised to finally silence their doubters and bring a title home to Indiana.
Only time will tell if Purdue can live up to the hype, but as of now, the sportsbooks have spoken—and the Boilermakers are leading the pack.