March Madness Bracket Predictions & East Region Preview: Sleepers, Upsets & NCAA Tournament Favorites
The defending champion UConn Huskies are the favorites to represent the East Region in the Final Four, as we offer our March Madness bracket predictions and East Region preview based on the best March Madness odds.
The defending champions, usually given the simplest route to the Final Four as the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, appear to confront a tougher journey this year.
The Huskies are one of three teams from last year's semifinals in the loaded East Region. Moreover, the region hosts four of the six major conference champions - UConn (Big East), Iowa State (Big 12), Illinois (Big Ten), and Auburn (SEC) - seeded as the top four teams in this year's March Madness bracket, earning the moniker "Region of Death."
This section of the bracket is filled with challengers beyond those mentioned. Sixth-seeded BYU's fluid style poses a threat to any team. Additionally, San Diego State and FAU, each having made a Final Four run in 2023, bring back ample experience, making them potential March Madness upset predictions.
As part of our March Madness predictions, here are our March Madness bracket predictions and East Region preview (college basketball picks based on odds from our best March Madness betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
March Madness East Region odds 2024
Here are the odds to win the East Region via FanDuel.
| Team (seed) | Odds |
|---|---|
| UConn (1) | +100 |
| Iowa State (2) | +450 |
| Auburn (4) | +490 |
| Illinois (3) | +850 |
| BYU (6) | +1600 |
| San Diego State (5) | +2400 |
| FAU (8) | +3600 |
| Washington State (7) | +4200 |
| Drake (10) | +4600 |
| Northwestern (9) | +6500 |
| Yale (13) | +15000 |
| UAB (12) | +15000 |
| Duquesne (11) | +15000 |
| Stetson (16) | +25000 |
| South Dakota State (15) | +25000 |
| Morehead State (14) | +25000 |
Not intended for use in MA
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March Madness East Region picks
- Duquesne vs. BYU prediction
- Morehead State vs. Illinois prediction
- South Dakota State vs. Iowa State player props
- Drake vs. Washington State prediction
- Northwestern vs. FAU
- UAB vs. San Diego State
- Stetson vs. UConn
- Yale vs. Auburn
March Madness betting odds pages
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No. 1 seed: UConn (+110 via bet365)
By now, the Huskies don't need much of an introduction. They bulldozed their way to the national championship in 2023 before waltzing to a 31-3 record and the No. 1 overall seed in this year's bracket.
Even with Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins gone from last year's group, star senior Tristen Newton (15.2 PPG) and transfer Cam Spencer (14.5) have carried the load for the nation's top-ranked offense by adjusted efficiency. Connecticut's defense sits 11th in adjusted efficiency, too, with likely NBA lottery pick Donovan Clingan ranking in the top 15 nationally in blocks per game (2.3)
That balanced attack and elite roster talent is a key reason why UConn has won 21 of its last 22 games and remains a favorite in the Final Four odds and a popular choice in our March Madness bracket predictions, even in the toughest region. As we said before the Big East Tournament: bet against this team at your own peril.
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Sleeper pick: BYU (6) (+1800 via Caesars)
There isn't a team in this region - or the entire country - better than UConn, so it'll take some sort of high-variance approach to knock off the Huskies. Cue the Cougars, who play a style of offense that can foil anyone on the right night.
BYU attempts a ridiculous 50.7% of its shots from beyond the arc, which ranks second nationally, while also featuring an elite transition game and some of the best ball movement of any team in the tournament. That silky smooth offense helped this group knock off fellow East Region contender San Diego State and Iowa State earlier this season.
The Cougars could easily lose in the first two rounds if those long-range shots aren't falling. But if they are? BYU can not only win this region but the national title, too.
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1st-round upset pick: UAB (12) vs. San Diego State (5) (+240 via FanDuel)
My personal bracket features just one true upset in the first round of the East Region. But it would pay out at a cool +240 via FanDuel if it hits.
As I explained further in my UAB vs. San Diego State prediction, I simply don't trust the Aztecs' defense to hit the necessary shots against a Blazers team that will certainly let opponents fire away from deep. Keep an eye on Yaxel Lendeborg; if he's swatting shots with reckless abandon, that could swing this matchup in UAB's favor.
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Best 1st-round matchup: Northwestern (9) vs. FAU (8)
If you're a fan of elite shot-makers and potential Cinderella stories, then you'll love the first game of Friday's tournament schedule between FAU and Northwestern.
The Owls captured everyone's attention last year with their run to the Final Four behind a captivating offense led by Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin. They're both back this year to prove last year's program-defining tournament run wasn't a fluke.
The biggest star of this matchup, though, is Northwestern's all-time leading scorer Boo Buie - a fifth-year senior who could be playing his final game for the Wildcats. I love his chances of going off in this matchup for the right to face UConn in Round 2.
Who will win the East Region?
UConn (1) (+110 via bet365)
I know, I know; everyone and their mother has the Huskies emerging out of the East Region and winning the whole thing. I do, too, as there's a reason why this team owns such short odds despite all the chaos we've seen this season.
Connecticut has steamrolled opponents and owns the most efficient scoring offense since the 2018 Villanova Wildcats, who effectively broke basketball with seven future pros on that roster. This group isn't quite as star-studded, but in an era of parity across college basketball, UConn is clearly in a different tier.
The one team that could spoil the party is Iowa State, which is my single-favorite value bet to win it all at +2200 via bet365. If the Cyclones take control of the pace and spin you into a vicious cycle of turnovers and fast-break points allowed, your day is over.
That said, I trust UConn's offense even more than Iowa State's defense, and the Huskies boast a borderline top-10 unit on that end, too. They're also one of the only teams in this entire field with multiple lottery-caliber players in Clingan and freshman Stephon Castle, which is a serious advantage in today's game.
At +110 odds via bet365, UConn has an implied probability of 47.62% to win the East Region according to our odds calculator, which would pay out $11 on a $10 bet. I'll take those odds all day long on the Huskies winning four more games, especially with just two coming against a potential top-40 squad.
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