The Big Dance officially gets underway Tuesday as two of the First Four matchups take place in Dayton, Ohio.
Below, we look at the NCAA Tournament South Region futures odds and and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The South Region’s first-four battle pits two 16 seeds (Bryant and Wright State) playing for the right to take on No. 1 Arizona. Villanova was given the No. 2 seed, followed by Wisconsin, Illinois and Houston.
Colgate, which sits at No. 14, is getting the most buzz as a team that could upset a top-five seed. Most seem to believe No. 11 Michigan is primed to down No. 6 Colorado State as well.
That said, let’s get into who could represent the region in the Final Four.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
South Region futures odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 9:15 p.m. ET.
1 seed: Arizona Wildcats +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
2 seed: Villanova Wildcats +330 (bet $100 to win $330)
3 seed: Tennessee Volunteers +400 (bet $100 to win $400)
4 seed: Illinois Fighting Illini +550 (bet $100 to win $550)
5 seed: Houston Cougars +750 (bet $100 to win $750)
6 seed: Colorado State Rams +4000 (bet $100 to win $4,000)
7 seed: Ohio State Buckeyes +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)
8 seed: Seton Hall Pirates +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)
9 seed: TCU Horned Frogs +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)
10 seed: Loyola Chicago Ramblers +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)
11 seed: Michigan Wolverines +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500)
12 seed: UAB Blazers +5000 (bet $100 to win $5,000)
13 seed: Chattanooga Mocs +7000 (bet $100 to win $7,000)
14 seed: Longwood Lancers +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)
15 seed: Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)
16 seed: Bryant Bulldogs / Wright State Raiders +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)
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South Region expert pick and prediction
Tennessee Volunteers +400
Many are rightfully surprised that the Vols, who ran through the SEC Tournament, didn’t get even a two seed.
The Vols are led by freshman star G Kennedy Chandler, who averaged 13.8 points per game and stepped up his scoring in the SEC Tourney. The Vols defense is what will propel their Final Four aspirations.
Kenpom has them as the third-best defense in the NCAA. That was on full display in the SEC Tournament, and I expect that success to continue deeper into March.
South Region contenders
Arizona +140
Arizona is the favorite and deservedly so. They won the Pac-12 Tournament against a good UCLA team.
Tennessee did beat the Wildcats earlier in the season, but Arizona went 17-2 to end the season following that loss. G Bennedict Mathurin leads the Cats in scoring and is second in the Pac-12 with 17.4 points per game.
The Wildcats are that good and earned that top spot.
Houston Cougars +750
This region has not one, two or three, BUT four conference tournament winners.
Houston won the AAC over Memphis and the Cougars are Kenpom’s 4th-best team. They are one of two teams that sit top 12 in offensive and defensive efficiency (Gonzaga, the tournament’s top seed, is the other).
Houston lost to No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 6 Alabama by a combined 3 points earlier in the season as their two most-notable performances.
Villanova Wildcats +330
The fourth conference winner reigned supreme over the Big East.
Nova is the No. 2 seed and is certainly a contender. They wouldn’t be my pick as Nova has losses to Baylor, UCLA and Purdue among many others in conference play.
The Wildcats play at an ultra-slow pace and are led by fifth-year G Collin Gillespie who is averaging 15.9 points per game. Nova is just one of a handful of teams ranked top 30 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
South Region long shot
Ohio State Buckeyes +2000
Ohio State is being picked as a popular upset team because people love Sister Jean and the Loyola Ramblers. However, Ohio State has been banged up and should get key versatile F Kyle Young back.
G Malaki Branham has scored 15 or more in 7 of his last 8 games. Star F E.J. Liddell sits third in the Big Ten in scoring at 19.6 per game and Young’s likely return should help them defensively.
OSU has wins over No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 4 Illinois on its resume. The Buckeyes have a high ceiling and could be a good longshot to make the Final Four.
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