East Region Leads NCAA Tournament Champion Odds Thanks to Duke, MSU

• The top 12 seeds in the NCAA Tournament have all advanced to the Sweet 16
• No. 5 Auburn (Midwest) and No. 12 Oregon (South) are the only teams seeded worse than No. 4 to move on
• Which region has the best chance to produce the March Madness champion?

The 2019 NCAA Men’s Tournament has been one for the favorites. The No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 seeds all advanced in the East and West, while the 1, 2 and 3 seeds advanced in the other two regions.

Which region has the best chance of winning it all? Books have odds up on that prop, so let’s take a closer look, region by region.

Which Region Will Win 2019 NCAA Tournament?

South Region Analysis

The South Region is the one I like the least. Virginia is the top seed in the South, followed by No. 2 Tennessee, No. 3 Purdue and No. 12 Oregon.

Virginia has a long history of being a shaky top seed and, while I think they win this region, it’s a fairly weak group of teams.

Tennessee made ’em look ?@Vol_Hoops is heading to the #Sweet16! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ATYTmX8F1r

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 24, 2019

Oregon is the lone double-digit seed to make it to the Sweet 16; Tennessee blew a 25-point lead to Iowa (before winning in overtime); and Purdue just doesn’t have a great track record in the Tournament, nor much depth behind Carsen Edwards.

Add it all up and this region is a pass for me.

Midwest Region Analysis

I see the Midwest coming down to North Carolina and another team. If P.J. Washington is healthy and Kentucky gets there, then I like the Midwest’s chances. That would mean that you either have a Kentucky team that’s won 20 of 23 in the Final Four or North Carolina, which has looked as good as anyone in this tournament.

Coby White & @UNC_Basketball stepped back into the #Sweet16 ?#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/L1Qk5BSODz

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 25, 2019

The Tar Heels have great balance inside out, are on a roll (21-3 in their last 24, and have beaten Duke twice. Either of these teams has what it takes to win it all, so I’d bet “Yes” here.

West Region Analysis

The top four teams in the West Region have advanced and, while there some intriguing options, I’m more inclined to bet the “No”.

I don’t have a lot of faith in No. 2 Michigan or No. 3 Texas Tech because their offenses concern me. Texas Tech can go cold at any point and Michigan lacks players who can create their own shot.

The #Sweet16!

Duke
Virginia Tech
LSU
Michigan State
Gonzaga
Florida State
Texas Tech
Michigan
Virginia
Oregon
Purdue
Tennessee
North Carolina
Auburn
Houston
Kentucky#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Clg1wjzgvu

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 25, 2019

The team I think can win it all is No. 1 Gonzaga as their offense is lethal. They should have the size to beat No. 4 Florida State in the Sweet Sixteen and anyone else that gets in their way.

Remember, they’ve already topped Duke once at a neutral site.

However, since I don’t like the chances of the other three teams – and FSU, which beat Gonzaga in the Sweet Sixteen just last year, is a very live ‘dog — I’ll bet “No” here.

East Region Analysis

The East is all about Duke as they’ve been the favorite to win it all for a long time.

However, Central Florida proved that this team is beatable, which is a concern. I’m not really worried about them getting to the Final Four, but once there, they could have to face Gonzaga and then a team like North Carolina in the title game.

As for Michigan State, I’m not bullish on this team as they struggled to get past No. 15 Bradley, yes, they won convincingly in the Round of 32, but they were sloppy with 22 turnovers, an issue that’s plagued them dating back to last year. They mostly won because Minnesota played no defense and shot a paltry 30.5% from the field.

Still dancin’ #DukeWins #SI6HTS??? pic.twitter.com/UFVRfr8gzu

— Duke Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 25, 2019

I’d take a flier with the -155 on the “No” a bet you can probably hedge in the Championship Game somewhat if everything goes wrong. But if I had to pick one region to win it all right now, it would be the Midwest.