NCAA Tournament 2017: Early Predictions, Championship Odds for March Madness

March Madness is always a confusing time for fans and basketball pundits as we all try to figure out who the favorites are heading into the NCAA Tournament in just a couple weeks time.

And since this year has even less separation between the top teams in the nation than ever before, it's anyone's guess at this point who will be called National Champions at the end of the season.

Back way before the season began, the Duke Blue Devils were crowned as the preseason favorite to win it all, and you would've been crazy to say otherwise. Fast forward to March, and the Blue Devils are in the rearview mirror just looking to regain some momentum before the Big Dance.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs held the distinction as the No. 1 team in the country with a perfect 29-0 record until a stunning 79-71 loss to BYU this past week, which allowed the Kansas Jayhawks to leapfrog them to the top of the totem poll with less than two weeks before Selection Sunday.

This year's edition of March Madness is the true definition of putting money where your mouth is, as this year's field of teams has too many contenders to count. 

Here is a look at the odds for the top teams available along with my best bets moving forward:

Team	Odds
North Carolina	6/1
UCLA	6/1
Kansas	7/1
Gonzaga	8/1
Villanova	10/1
Duke	11/1
Kentucky	12/1
Oregon	14/1
Louisville	14/1
Arizona	16/1

Best Pick: Kansas

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The Jayhawks, the No. 1 team in the Associated Press polls, is the team to put safe money on going into the Tournament. With the second-best odds among the contenders at 7/1, it's hard not to like Kansas and head coach Bill Self's chances of taking home another title.

With a 26-3 record and an electrifying group of players led by Josh Jackson, who looks to be a top-five pick in this year's NBA Draft, Kansas has a team that can hang with the best in the nation. 

But is talent enough? 

Even the most talented of teams don't win a National Championship. Look at some of the past Kansas teams, including the 2014 team featuring Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid.

Even though Embiid wasn't the same type of player he is now and was injured at the end of the season, that was a lot of talent that went to waste when March came around. 

If you can't decide on the ultimate sleeper this year, feel good about Kansas. After all, they're destined to have a No. 1 seed in the tournament with a path to the Final Four laid out in front of them.  

Best Value: Villanova

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The defending National Champions with returning starters from last year's team with a potential No.1 seed in this year's Tournament? What's not to like?

The Wildcats are having another fine season under the tutelage of Jay Wright, and despite losing to Butler last week—Butler's second victory over Villanova this season—there isn't cause for concern. And with 10/1 odds, fans and gamblers alike can make some serious dough off Nova if they can repeat.

It's actually a little surprising that Villanova's odds are so low at this point, as they have proved to be one of the more consistent and elite teams in the country this season. They were even No. 1 at one stage.

The argument can be made that Villanova can't beat top-tier teams like Kansas, UNC or UCLA, and while that may be true, the Wildcats were able to knock off Notre Dame earlier this season in convincing fashion. And for those who don't remember, Notre Dame has caused fits for teams such as Louisville, Syracuse, Miami and Florida State.

Maybe that should say enough about Villanova to beat a team like that. 

Best Sleeper: Arizona

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What's the point of putting money down on something if you're not willing to roll the dice a little?

Sitting pretty with 16/1 odds, the underrated Arizona Wildcats are in an interesting position. They won't get a No. 1 seed, but they could be in line for a high two-seed come Selection Sunday. And if the Wildcats are in your region, watch out.

Loaded with, arguably, the best shooter in the country in Lauri Markkanen, Arizona can spread the floor like no other team. Markkanen is a seven-foot phenom with the basketball in his hands. He doesn't play like a big man, which can be a good and a bad thing, but it would he a huge mistake to leave this freshman open on the perimeter as he will make you pay from anywhere on the court. 

By betting on Kansas, your odds of winning go up a bit to 7/1. But can you say with confidence that a team like Arizona can't beat Kansas in a one game, winner takes all fixture?

The Wildcats aren't getting much love from the oddsmakers, which is a shame since they are 26-4 with losses only to Butler, Gonzaga, Oregon and UCLA. If you're brave enough, go big on Arizona to take home the National Championship.