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East Region Odds Favor Michigan to Reach Final Four

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in College Basketball

Updated Mar 14, 2021 · 8:57 PM PDT

Hunter Dickinson Michigan Wolverines
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) shoots over the defense of Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Bloomington, Ind., in this Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, file photo. Dickson is The AP Big Ten Newcomer of the Year, announced Tuesday, March 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
  • Michigan Wolverines pegged as top seed in East region despite shaky stretch run
  • Alabama pegged as second seed in the East, but No. 3 Texas likely enjoys an easier road to the Final Four
  • Here’s a look at all the odds and trends for all the contenders in the East Region

Perched as top seeds for the first time in 28 years, the Michigan Wolverines have opened as strong -125 favorites to win the East Region and advance to the Final Four at this year’s NCAA Tournament at FanDuel.

The second-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide sit as +390 second-favorites in the Final Four odds in the wake of their first SEC Tournament win in 28 years. However, an intriguing mix of mid-major tournament champions and underachieving teams provide plenty of betting alternatives further down the odds.

Odds to Win 2021 East Region

Team (Seed) Odds
Michigan Wolverines (1) -125
Alabama Crimson Tide (2) +390
Texas Longhorns (3) +500
Florida State Seminoles (4) +500
Colorado Buffaloes (5) +750
Connecticut Huskies (7) +750
BYU Cougars (6) +900
LSU Tigers (8) +1200
Maryland Terrapins (10) +1600
St. Bonaventure Bonnies (9) +2500
Michigan State Spartans (11*) +3600
UCLA Bruins (11*) +3600
Georgetown Hoyas (12) +4200
Abilene Christian Wildcats (14) +5000
UNC-Greensboro Spartans (13) +8000
Iona Gaels (15) +8000
Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (16*) +8000
Texas Southern Tigers (16*) +8000

Odds from FanDuel on March 14, 2021. *Denotes teams participating in First Four.

Late-Season Swoon Fails to Dampen MSU’s Odds

Michigan dominated during an 18-1 SU run to start the season, which lifted the team to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 rankings. However, warning signs appeared with the team’s 76-53 loss to Illinois two weeks ago, and those struggles continued with a 70-64 loss to Michigan State to close out their schedule.

The Wolverines then saw their bid for their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2018 end with a lacklustre performance in a 68-67 semi-final loss to Ohio State. Injuries are a concern for the Wolverines, who lost Isaiah Livers to a broken foot last week. The senior big man finished the season as Michigan’s second-leading scorer, but saw a dip in productivity coincide with the team’s late-season swoon.

Printable 2021 March Madness Bracket - Make Your Picks for the NCAA Tournament
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Alabama Aims to Rewrite Losing Narrative

The Crimson Tide look to rewrite a losing narrative at the Big Dance. Alabama finished atop the SEC regular season standings with a 16-2 SU record and rides a six-game SU win streak, but has enjoyed little past success at the NCAA Tournament. The Tide have failed to advance past the Second Round in nine of their past 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Complicating matters for Alabama is a tough opening-round clash with No. 15 Iona. The Gaels saw their program suspended on multiple occasions this season due to COVID-19.

Now listed as +8000 longshots to win the East, the Gaels rebounded to close out their campaign with six straight wins, including four wins in five days to win the CAA Tournament title, and claim a fifth straight March Madness berth.

Spartans, Bruins Set to Battle for No. 11 Seed

All eyes will be on Thursday’s First Four clash between Michigan State and UCLA, with the No. 11 seed in the East Region and a First Round date with the BYU Cougars at stake.

Losers in seven of their first nine conference contests, the Spartans managed to turn things around late in the season, going 7-4 SU over their final 11 outings. That run includes a trio of victories over nationally-ranked opponents, including Michigan, Ohio State, and Illinois.

The situation appears far more dire for UCLA. The Bruins looked poised to challenge for the Pac-12 title, and appeared destined for a high seeding at this year’s tournament after opening their conference schedule on a 9-1 SU run. However, UCLA has looked far from ready to make a deep run in Indianapolis after closing out the regular season on a worrisome four-game SU losing streak.

Seminoles Face a Tough Road

No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Florida State enter the tournament joining Michigan and Alabama as the only other two nationally-ranked teams in the East Region. That is reflected in the short +500 odds each team sports to come out of the region.

Late-season struggles away from home have emerged as a concern for the Seminoles, who lost three of their final five contests away from Tallahassee. That has raised doubts about this team’s ability to make a deep run. The Noles face a particularly hard road at this year’s tournament. The team will have to get past a red-hot opponent in either Colorado or Georgetown in the Second Round, with the Wolverines likely awaiting them in the Sweet Sixteen.

Bettors should not sleep on the Longhorns. In addition to enjoying a favorable position on the bottom of the bracket, Texas impressed while going 8-2 during a tough 10-game stretch run that featured seven dates with nationally-ranked opponents.

The Bet

Despite their late-season struggles, the Wolverines clearly remain the team to beat. For sports bettors looking for options further down the odds, and to the bottom of the bracket. Sporting more talent than their record indicates, the Spartans are well positioned to make a Cinderella run. That is, if they can get past Texas.

The Pick: Wolverines (-125)

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