The 2026-27 men's college basketball season opens with an unusually wide field for the 2027 national champion, as reflected in the tightly bunched probabilities across dozens of teams plus a 50% "Other" share. Preseason consensus rankings place Florida and Duke at the top due to elite returning frontcourts and depth, yet no program has separated decisively amid roster flux, high-major transfers, and strong incoming classes across the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12. Recent court rulings on eligibility and minor roster additions have kept several mid-tier contenders like Illinois, Michigan State, and Miami in striking distance, while historical patterns show that early favorites often face attrition or unexpected conference battles before March. This skin-in-the-game pricing underscores broad uncertainty six months before Selection Sunday.