Although the defending NCAA men’s basketball champion isn’t ranked, the title is still favored to return to Tobacco Road, according to the Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll and the Bodog Sportsbook.

Led by all-ACC seniors J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams, No. 1 Duke is the 7/2 favorite to capture its fourth national title and dethrone arch-rival North Carolina, which lost its four best players to the NBA draft and starts the season unranked. For Duke, the preseason No. 1 ranking is the sixth time it has held the honor under coach Mike Krzyzewski.

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Bodog oddsmakers also list three Big East teams – Connecticut (15/2), Villanova (8/1) and conference newcomer Louisville (12/1) – as top contenders for the NCAA crown.

“Coach K is a legend, but the college basketball season is a grind filled with many highlights and surprises. Anything can happen en route to the Final Four,” says Calvin Ayre, Bodog Founder & CEO. “If the Madness peaks in March, the fever starts now.”

Also heating up are the Bodog Girls, who are featured in a monthly photo editorial on the online magazine BodogNation. This month’s model, Brandi Alexander, displays smooth moves and a Jones for streetball.

For all NCAA basketball Futures odds, visit Bodog.