With Otega Oweh Returning, Where’s Kentucky Among College Basketball Title Odds?
One of the final dominoes of the college basketball offseason has fallen. Kentucky combo guard Otega Oweh withdrew his name from the 2025 NBA draft on Wednesday, returning to the Wildcats for his senior campaign. Let’s inspect whether Kentucky’s odds of winning the national title were impacted and how this impacts the landscape of college basketball next season.
Best 2025-26 March Madness Odds
Did Otega Oweh Shift Kentucky’s Odds?
Surprisingly, Kentucky remained among March Madness odds after Oweh’s announcement, trailing Purdue, Duke, Houston, UConn, BYU, Florida, and St. John’s. Oweh possesses the potential to contend for the Wooden Award, given to the most outstanding college basketball player.
The 6-foot-5 guard tallied career highs across the board after transferring to Kentucky from Oklahoma last spring, averaging 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. Oweh served as the Wildcats’ go-to scorer down the stretch of the season, ranking in the 93rd percentile in field goal attempt rate (FGA%) in the paint while shooting 35.5% from behind the arc.
He led Kentucky to the Sweet 16 as a No. 3 seed in Mark Pope’s first run as the head coach of his alma mater. With Oweh’s return in mind, below are the other big names who withdrew from the NBA draft process.
- Labaron Philon (Alabama)
- Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn)
- Milos Uzan (Houston)
- Darrion Williams (NC State)
- Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan)
- Alex Condon (Florida)
- Karter Knox (Arkansas)
Among them, Lendeborg’s arrival in Ann Arbor, Mich. triggered the biggest movement on the board, shortening the Wolverines’ odds from +2500 to as low as +1500. Their best price is +2200.
Kentucky’s Outlook Following Otega Oweh Decision
Alongside Oweh, the Wildcats return power forward Brandon Garrison and shooting guards Collin Chandler and Trent Noah. Pope delivered one of the premier transfer portal classes via Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State), Jaland Lowe (Pitt), Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), and Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama).
BarTorvik lists Kentucky as his 13th-ranked team and projects it to produce the seventh-best adjusted defensive efficiency (AdjD). If Oweh and Pope’s new toys mesh, Kentucky is a legitimate threat to cut down the nets.
Best Sportsbook Promos For College Basketball Odds
Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*
*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Use Bonus Code: LINEUPS
- Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
- OR First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000
- 30% Extra on Same Game Parlay Profit
- T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER 21+
- Use Bonus Code: LINEUPSBET
- Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
- 21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- Use Promo Code: LINEUPSDYW
Get $150
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins
Available on Desktop, Android & iOS
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+
To Claim: Click Play Now
Get $150
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly
Get Your Bets Boosted
21+. Gambling Problem? Call/Text 1-800-Gambler. T&Cs apply
To Claim: Click Play Now
- Bet and Get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets or Choose Your Own Offer
- Earn FanCash & Spend it on Team Swag or More Bets
- 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- To Claim: Click Play Now
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
PLUS Get a $50 Bonus Bet on Deposit
PLUS up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
