The East Region features No. 1-seed Baylor and several blue-blood programs, and that mix figures to offer up an interesting 15-game slate. Below, we look at the NCAA Tournament East Region futures odds and and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
This bracket is highlighted by the Baylor Bears, Kentucky Wildcats, and Purdue Boilermakers — all three were ranked in last week’s national top-10. But Baylor is a bit banged up; they head into March Madness with the longest title odds (+1200) of the four top seeds. Some chaos can be expected.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
East 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 7:20 p.m. ET.
1 seed: Baylor +250 (bet $100 to win $250)
2 seed: Kentucky +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
3 seed: Purdue +300 (bet $100 to win $300)
4 seed: UCLA +350 (bet $100 to win $350)
5 seed: St. Mary’s +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)
6 seed: Texas +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)
7 seed: Murray State +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)
8 seed: North Carolina +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)
9 seed: Marquette +4000 (bet $100 to win $4,000)
10 seed: San Francisco +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)
11 seed: Virginia Tech +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500)
12 seed: Wyoming +8000 or Indiana +3000
13 seed: Akron +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)
14 seed: Yale +8000 (bet $100 to win $8,000)
15 seed: St. Peter’s +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)
16 seed: Norfolk State +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)
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East Region expert pick and prediction
Purdue Boilermakers (+300)
The 3-3 mark in the team’s last six games will scare off some. But the Big Ten title game was not terribly meaningful, and the Boilermakers were undone by too many turnovers and a 5-of-20 mark from beyond the arc. The other two losses were in close road games.
Purdue is a tremendous shooting team and one that can distribute quality looks all over the floor, inside and out. With just about anyone they play in this region, the Boilermakers should have an edge in rebounding and free throws attempted. Mix in a fair price and Purdue could be on a victory train that makes its way to New Orleans.
East Region contenders
UCLA Bruins (+350)
A balanced team at both ends. Over the last couple months, the Bruins have developed a big expected edge in turnovers. Distance shooting has fallen off, but the talent and opportunity make for a decent price on the return.
If Baylor is indeed a gettable favorite, UCLA’s slot in the bracket is an enviable one. The Bruins have slowed their pace of play quite a bit over recent weeks. They could be the against-the-grain candidate here, and their efficient performance on offense and defense makes them dangerous.
St. Mary’s Gaels (+2000)
Seven of the team’s last nine games have come against Gonzaga (three), and talented San Francisco and Santa Clara. And SMC defeated Gonzaga on Feb. 26.
Some of the peripherals like rebounding and free-throw frequency don’t figure as plusses against other top contenders. But an efficient game at the Gaels’ turtle pace could make for a big Elite Eight or Sweet 16 triumph.
Kentucky Wildcats (+150)
Entering this just as a line-watch caveat. This bracket is set up for Kentucky to make some hay from the 2-hole. Amid the chaos, tremendous offensive rebounding and not being over-reliant on 3-pointers may serve the Wildcats quite well.
The pure across-the-board analytics over the last two months peg UK as the best team in this region. Will want to circle back to the odds and take a crack at a price over +180.
East Region long shot
Murray State Racers (+3000)
This selection deserves a mental copy-and-paste from the St. Mary’s entry above. Peg the Ohio Valley Conference as the the junior Gaels in many respects. And here, you get the longer price.
Murray State enters the tournament on an 18-game winning streak. The Racers are a very good rebounding team and one that may be a bit positive-regression due in the 3-point shooting department. They are in the bottom half of the East Region 16, and those slots could be land mines on many a bracket.
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