While we have betting favorites in each of the four regions ahead of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, there is no bigger favorite than Gonzaga. Gonzaga has become a basketball powerhouse over the years, but the program is still in search of its first national title. The Zags have come close over the past few years, but that championship has remained elusive.
Gonzaga is a -230 favorite to get out of the West Region and into the Final Four. Those are easily the most favorable odds of any team, and with good reason. Gonzaga is the only unbeaten team left in the country, which is why they enter the Big Dance as the No. 1 overall seed. Gonzaga also seems to have enjoyed a bit of good fortune with regard to the rest of their region, which helps explain why they’re such massive betting favorites.
That Said, March Madness Is Notoriously Unpredictable
We’re just a few years removed from a No. 1 seed losing to a No. 16 seed in the first round for the first time ever. That was a Virginia team that was pegged by many as the best in the country heading into the tournament. While you may think you know what’s going to happen, everything changes once the ball is tipped.
Let’s take a look at the West Region from a betting perspective. The following five teams look like the best bets to advance all the way to the Final Four. If you’re interested in betting on the other regions of the bracket, check out our other betting previews linked below:
Gonzaga (-230)
Duh. This is the top overall seed in the tournament, and they enter the party a perfect 26-0 on the year. Gonzaga doesn’t face the toughest competition out there in the West Coast Conference, but an undefeated record is an undefeated record. The Bulldogs finished the season four games in front of their closest competitors (BYU), and they won every game in the WCC tournament by double-digits.
Gonzaga was a Cinderella story in the Big Dance for years, but that isn’t the case anymore. While their lack of a title means some of that underdog mentality may still be there, this program now attracts top-tier talent. Jalen Suggs is one of the best freshmen in the nation, and a surefire top-five pick in the NBA draft this year if he declares.
JALEN SUGGS. ICE IN HIS VEINS ❄️ @brhoops
He hits back-to-back threes
(via @WCChoops)pic.twitter.com/xQ233LkxuD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 10, 2021
Suggs, a 6’4″ freshman from Minnesota, averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on his way to Second Team All-America honors. He was dominant in the WCC championship game against BYU, finishing with 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 33 minutes of action.
Suggs isn’t a one-man show, of course. The team’s leading scorer is actually Corey Kispert (19.2 points per game), while Drew Timme mans the paint. Joel Ayayi made it four Zags in the All-WCC First Team, while another Bulldog (Andrew Nembhard) made it onto the Second Team.
There is no apparent weakness on this team, and Gonzaga has never had a better chance to claim a title for the first time. If they don’t win it all this year, it’s worth wondering when it’ll ever happen for them. They’re clear-cut favorites in a weak West Region, which is why there is still reason to bet on the -230 odds. You can argue they should be even bigger favorites.
Iowa (+450)
It’s weird to see the second-favorites way down at +450, but that’s how good Gonzaga is. Iowa checks-in as the No. 2 seed in the region after finishing 21-8 and third in the loaded Big Ten during the regular season. We know the Hawkeyes faced a much more daunting schedule than the Zags did, but Iowa still isn’t gaining a whole lot of traction in the title picture.
Gonzaga is laden with stars, but Luka Garza is in the discussion for best player in the West Region. Garza’s lack of athleticism may keep him out of the NBA, but the big man has been one of the most dominant players in the country. The 6’11”, 265-pound behemoth averaged 23.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for the Hawkeyes this season. Garza is clearly the focal point for Iowa offensively, and few teams have the size to handle the big man on the block.
🏆 AP All-America, First Team:
🏀 Corey Kispert
🏀 Jared Butler
🏀 Luka Garza
🏀 Ayo Dosunmu
🏀 Cade Cunningham pic.twitter.com/cbgsuPFCFc— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 16, 2021
Iowa averaged 115.6 points per 100 possessions during the regular season, which was the fourth-best mark in the country. Only Gonzaga, Baylor, and Colgate were more dynamic on that end of the floor. Garza’s dominance in the paint is well-established, but the Hawkeyes could be called the “Deadeyes” thanks to their shooting prowess. Iowa connected on 38.6 percent of their three-point attempts this season, which was the second-best mark in the Big Ten and the 13th-best percentage nationally.
If the threes are falling, the Hawkeyes can compete with anybody. Iowa did lose by 11 points to Gonzaga earlier this season, but the team does have wins over ranked foes including Ohio State, Wisconsin (three times), Rutgers (twice), and North Carolina in addition to a pair of victories over Michigan State.
The argument for betting on Iowa is that you’re getting a No. 2 seed at pretty generous +450 odds. Gonzaga obviously looms over everything, but if you’re not compelled by the Zags, perhaps I can interest you in a flier on the Hawkeyes instead.
Kansas (+1200)
The odds really take a leap once you get past Iowa. Kansas, the No. 3 seed, is way down at +1200. The Jayhawks struggled tremendously to begin the season, but Bill Self was able to right the ship down the stretch. Kansas had to bow-out of the Big 12 tournament due to a positive test, but the team has been playing well. The Jayhawks enter the tourney having won eight of their last nine games overall.
Kansas is one of the few teams that can boast about having beaten Baylor this season. The Jayhawks steamrolled the Bears 71-58 back in February, which was Baylor’s first defeat of the entire season. Kansas has lost a grand total of once since starting the season 12-7. This may not be the best Jayhawks team we’ve seen over the past couple of decades, but Kansas is never thin on talent.
Kansas can defend, as usual. Self’s squad ranked 45th in the nation in defensive rating, allowing 93.3 points per 100 possessions. That’s no small feat, especially given the immense talent level of the Big 12. Kansas has spent the majority of the season facing some of the best teams in America on a nightly basis. Wins over Baylor, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma (twice) show that Kansas can beat anyone on any night.
USC (+1800)
Basketball is unique because star-level talent has the potential to carry an entire team. We don’t typically see that in sports like baseball or football. The Pac-12 was far from the best conference in the nation this season, but don’t overlook USC when it comes to making a run in the West.
The Trojans are buoyed by Evan Mobley, who will likely be a top-five pick in the NBA draft later this year. Mobley, a legit seven-footer from Murrieta, posted averages of 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.0 blocked shots per game as a freshman. The youngster has only gotten better as the season has progressed, so he’s peaking at the right time for USC.
Evan Mobley has had a historic freshman season at USC 🔥 @brhoops
It’s just the beginning
Season averages: 16.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 58.2 FG% pic.twitter.com/6xHxT6CBvS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 10, 2021
Mobley averaged 26 points with nine rebounds and five blocks per game across the Trojans’ two-game run in the Pac-12 tournament. While they were ultimately beaten by two points by Colorado, the fact that their best player is playing his best basketball of the season at the right time bodes well for their chances of raising some eyebrows come tourney time. USC has slumped to 4-4 over their last eight games due to some lapses on the defensive side of the floor, but Mobley’s ability to dominate a game will make them a tough out.
Can USC ride one player all the way to the Final Four? That’s a tall order, especially with a well-rounded outfit like Gonzaga lurking. If Mobley gets going, though, you can do worse than taking a flier on the Trojans at +1800.
Oregon (+1800)
Oregon wasn’t able to close the deal in the Pac-12 tourney, but the Ducks did win the conference during the regular season thanks to a 20-6 finish. Chris Duarte (16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds) is one of the smoothest offensive players in the nation. The senior guard shot an impressive 43 percent from deep this season, and he played a huge role in Oregon’s late-season surge. The Ducks enter the tournament having won 11 of their last 13 overall.
Oregon will face a tough test right away against a VCU team that has been known to make noise in the tournament in the past, but the Ducks are slight favorites there. Winning that 7-10 matchup would likely set up a showdown against Garza and Iowa in the round of 32. That’s certainly no easy task, especially with a potential rematch with USC or a matchup with Kansas looming in the Sweet 16.
If you’re shopping in this price range, you’re in the market for a punt value. I prefer USC if you want to take a shot on the +1800 odds at March Madness betting sites, but it’s hard to get too excited about any of these teams with Gonzaga at the top.
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith has been a staff writer with GamblingSites.org since early 2017. Taylor is primarily a sports writer, though he will occasionally dabble in other things like politics and entertainment betting. His primary specialties are writing about the NBA, Major League Baseball, NFL and domestic and international soccer. Fringe sports like golf and horse racing aren’t exactly his cup of tea, bu …
