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UCLA Basketball and their 2017 National Championship Odds

By Mike Regalado

Feb 27, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) and guard Bryce Alford (20) talk during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2nd half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) and guard Bryce Alford (20) talk during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2nd half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bovada has posted early odds for the 2017 National Championship and has a surprising figure for UCLA Basketball.

The UCLA Basketball team is expected to do well next season. From a certain perspective, they have to or there will most certainly be a coaching change.

RELATED: UCLA Basketball Makes Several Top 25 Way-Too-Early Polls

After going 15-17 last season and finishing 10th in the Pac-12, Head Coach Steve Alford looks to improve the standing of the team on both offense and defense and try to restore glory to UCLA.

The Bruins return almost everyone from last season except graduated power forward Tony Parker, so the core of the team is there. Now mix that with four highly-touted freshman and it is possible the Bruins become a Top 25 team.

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On Tuesday morning, the day after the 2016 National Championship, several news outlets released their way-too-early Top 25 lists and the UCLA Basketball team had rankings ranging from 9th to 24th.

That theory is being supported by the online betting site Bovada which has released their early odds to win the 2017 National Championship. The Bruins are tied with Gonzaga, Michigan, Texas A&M and Wichita State with the 24th best odds to win next season’s NCAA Tournament at 66/1.

Not bad after the worst season since 2003.

Though it is not unrealistic for them to win the national championship (it is also realistic to assume they miss the tourney all together), it is just another sign that the nation is taking notice of the potential progress of this team.

Next: UCLA Basketball Starts Anew

As for the favorites to win, Duke (4.5/1), Kentucky (6/1), Villanova (8/1), Kansas (10/1), Louisville (10/1) have the best shot to win it all according to Bovada.