:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46236974/usa-today-8504679.0.jpg)
In what has been one of most intriguing offseasons in recent memory, Wednesday saw the release of the latest 2016 NCAA Tournament odds, courtesy of Bovada.lv. Defending-champion Duke, Kentucky, Michigan St, and North Carolina have all been priced as 10/1 favorites to win next year's tournament. Villanova has the best odds of any Big East team at 22/1, which should come as no surprise for a team that return a ton of talent from this year's excellent team. However, the Wildcats remain priced slightly behind other conference favorites, likely due to their recent early tournament exits.
The next best odds for Big East teams belong to Butler (75/1), Georgtown (100/1), and Providence (100/1). Butler and Georgetown have seen their odds increase since the initial release from 40/1 and 75/1, respectively. These three teams are not only all good bets to make next year's tournament, but have the potential to develop into a team that makes a deep tournament run.
Xavier and Marquette were next with 200/1 odds. It's a little shocking to see Xavier priced the same as Marquette, given the talent Xavier returns from this year's Sweet 16 squad. Xavier certainly is as capable as any of the previous three teams at making a deep tournament run, as they proved this year. Marquette should be a team on the rise in Steve Wojakowski's second year, as his young but talented looks to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2016.
St. John's and Creighton both have odds of 300/1, in what looks to be two teams heading in opposite direction. St. John's could get off to a tough start in the Chris Mullin era, as they have to replace a lot of star-power from last year's talented squad. Creighton, on the other hand, looks to get back into the NCAA Tournament conversation after this year's disappointing season.
DePaul and Seton Hall round out the Big East teams at 500/1 odds. The Pirates are a team in complete turmoil right now, while DePaul looks to regain some of their past (mild) success in Dave Leiato's second stint with the school.