South Region Predictions
Which team will come away with the South Region championship in this year’s NCAA Tournament? Here’s a look at the odds and our prediction for who makes the Final Four.
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Virginia is favored to win this region, as the Cavaliers are getting odds of +110 to win. Other short odds to win are Tennessee (+350), Purdue (+500) and Villanova (+800).
College Basketball Odds & Betting Page
The Favorite: 326 Virginia +110
Virginia is the top seed in this region. The Cavaliers come into the NCAA Tournament with a 29-3 overall record and a 16-2 mark in the ACC. UVA won the ACC regular-season title alongside North Carolina, but lost to Florida State in the tournament semifinal. Virginia was the first No. 1 seed to lose to a 16 seed in last year’s tournament. It is now looking to reach its third Final Four in program history. Their last appearance came in 1984. The Cavs have the nation’s top defense, but their offense ranks just 193rd in the country.
Stay Away From: 326 Virginia +110/328 Purdue +500
We have been pretty strong in advising you to avoid Virginia in NCAA Tournament futures. The Cavs are built to win with defense, which makes it tough to win six games over the next three weeks. Some opponent is bound to get hot. While this region features a lot of defensive-minded teams, I still don’t think the odds are worth betting on the Cavs. Purdue is also a team that seems ripe for an upset early. The Boilermakers rely a little too much on Carsen Edwards to win. If he has an off day, it could lead to an early exit.
College Basketball Futures Odds
The Dark Horse: 331 Villanova +800
Villanova is the defending national champion and the Wildcats are the sixth seed in the region this year. The Wildcats are coming off a strong showing in the Big East Tournament and seem to be peaking right now. Nova is definitely capable of taking out Purdue in the second round and could be a threat to second-seeded Tennessee, or anyone else in the region. Nova has some really good value at +800
Prediction
Tennessee is the team I like in this region. The Volunteers have a really good mix of offense and defense and they have shown at times this year that they could be the best team in the country. Offensively, the Vols put up 82 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent. The defense is holding opponents to under 40 percent shooting. I also think this region matches up nicely as Virginia could be the weakest 1 seed and Purdue the weakest 3.
SOUTH REGION PREDICTION: Tennessee +350