College Basketball Power Rankings: Baylor Survives First Road Test

The college basketball season is in full swing with conference play starting across the country. While we are still sifting through the contenders at the top of the rankings, sports bettors always have an eye on the NCAA Tournament and some valuable bets to make in the Futures market.

Every week here at BetSided, we will be power ranking the top 25 teams relative to their futures odds.

Here's how things stand after the first few month or so of action. All odds listed are via WynnBET.

Tier 1: Several Contenders at the Top

1. Baylor (+1000)

The Bears had their first true road game on Saturday against Oregon. It's never easy to win on the road, especially in front of a hostile crowd in Eugene, but the Bears took care of business after trailing by four at half.

2. Gonzaga (+600)

There should be no more qualms about Gonzaga playing an easy schedule as the team faced another formidable foe in Texas Tech on a neutral floor, their fifth KenPom top 25 to date.

The Zags won with ease, 69-55, their best defensive effort of the season. This is still the No. 1 ranked team per KenPom's standards and are the rightful betting favorite to cut down the nets.

3. Purdue (+800)

Purdue got back on track after two down performances at Rutgers and on a neutral floor against North Carolina State, bludgeoning Butler in the Crossroads Classic, 77-48. It's worth noting that Matt Painter opted to start veteran big man Trevion Williams in that matchup with unsurprisingly overwhelming success. After seemingly trying to stagger his talented players, Painter should move Williams into the starting five full-time again.

4. Duke (+800)

5. Arizona (+1200)

Tier 2: Next in Line

6. Kansas (+1000)

7. Houston (+2500)

8. Alabama (+2000)

After a string of impressive victories, the Crimson Tide were overwhelmed by Memphis' high pressure defense in their first true road game of the season. The SEC is set to be a war zone this season.

9. UCLA (+1500)

10. Auburn (+2500)

Auburn is one of the best teams nobody is talking about this season. The team went on the road and handled St. Louis on Saturday night and are set to be at full strength soon with the return of Allen Flannigan on the horizon. The Tigers are one of the best value bets to win the NCAA Tournament.

11. Ohio State (+2500)

12. Villanova (+2000)

After one of the worst performances of the Jay Wright era against Baylor, the Wildcats lost another road game, this time their Big East opener against Creighton by 20.

Nova still figures to be one a threat come March, but their offense must get on track. The team has the 254th best two-point field goal percentage in the country.

13. Illinois (+3000)

14. Kentucky (+2000)

We have been waiting for Kentucky to make a statement and boy did they make one on Saturday.

After their initial game against Ohio State was postponed, Coach Cal's team took on North Carolina in Las Vegas and finally had some positive shooting regression, hitting 8-of-15 three's in the 98-69 win over the Tar Heels.

Oscar Tshiebwe continues to be huge for the team, posting the nation's best offensive rebound percentage at nearly 25%.

Tier 3: Good, but How Good?

15. Texas (+2000)

Texas had high hopes for this season, but we still need to see what they can do, especially on offense. The team is playing at the second slowest pace in the country, which has cost them in their two games against KenPom top 80 teams, averaging 67 points per game. Can the O hold up against tougher opponents with limited possessions?

Never count out Chris Beard, but this may still be a work in progress come Big 12 play.

16. LSU (+4000)

Once lauded as an offensive-minded coach, Will Wade has his Tigers playing the best defense in the country, limiting opponents to the lowest effective field goal percentage in the country and posting a top 10 turnover rate.

17. Tennessee (+2000)

18. Connecticut (+4000)

19. BYU (+7500)

20. Colorado State (+10000)

21. Arkansas (+4000)

Tier 4: Best of the Rest

22. Wisconsin (+10000)

23. Iowa State (+10000)

24. USC (+4000)

25. Xavier (+5000)

Quietly, Xavier has weathered some early injures and are 11-1, recently knocking off Marquette at home by nine.

Led by veteran guard Paul Scruggs and the now healthy Zach Freemantle, the Musketeers may be in the mix to win the Big East regular season if they keep this up and Villanova looks mortal. The team is 24th in KenPom's offensive efficiency metric and 31st on defense.

Honorable Mentions: Michigan State, Indiana, Seton Hall, Oklahoma