In last year’s East Region, we had one of the biggest upsets in March Madness history as the Saint Peter’s Peacocks knocked off the Kentucky Wildcats to begin their magical run to the Elite Eight. Entering this year, March Madness oddsmakers thought things would go a little more by the book – but boy, were they wrong.
Number nine seed Florida Atlantic Owls pulled off a big upset by knocking off the third-seed Kansas State Wildcats to capture the East Region and book their ticket to the Final Four for the first time in program history.
Who Will Win The March Madness East Region?
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tennessee Volunteers (No. 4) | +130 |
| Michigan State Spartans (No. 7) | +320 |
| Kansas State Wildcats (No. 3) | +360 |
| Florida Atlantic Owls (No. 9) | +425 |
Odds as of March 20, 2023
East Region Odds: Owls Win It
The Florida Atlantic Owls took the East with a stunning 79-76 victory over Kansas State. The Owls had the lowest odds to take the Eastern Region heading into the Elite Eight at +420.
As the score suggests a very close game. The critical difference between these two sides came down to offensive rebounds.
Florida Atlantic claimed 48% of available offensive rebounds while the Wildcats claimed a meager 9%. In a game like this where the buckets are flying, breaking the other team's momentum, in any way can be the decisive advantage.
It also helps that the Owls were slightly more efficient from the field. Florida converted 48% of their three-point attempts (26/54) compared to Kansas State's 47% (27/58).
March Madness East Region Historical Information
Only two top seeds have won the East Region over the past 12 years. Of those two champs, North Carolina in 2016 lost in the national final to Villanova, while in 2018 it was Villanova coming out of the East and winning its second title in three years.
Here’s a look at the March Madness East Region results since the 2010 season:
| Season | No. 1 Seed | East Region Winner | East Region Final Four Result | East Region Winner Championship Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Purdue | Florida Atlantic (#9) | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | Baylor | UNC (#8) | UNC 81, Duke 77 (Win) | Kansas 72, UNC 69 (Loss) |
| 2021 | Michigan | UCLA (#11) | Gonzaga 93, UCLA 90 (OT) (Loss) | N/A |
| 2019 | Duke | Michigan State (#2) | Texas Tech 61, Michigan St. 51 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2018 | Villanova | Villanova (#1) | Villanova 95, Kansas 79 (Win) | Villanova 79, Michigan 62 (Win) |
| 2017 | Villanova | South Carolina (#7) | Gonzaga 77, South Carolina 73 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2016 | North Carolina | North Carolina (#1) | North Carolina 83, Syracuse 66 (Win) | Villanova 77, North Carolina 74 (Loss) |
| 2015 | Villanova | Michigan State (#7) | Duke 81, Michigan St. 61 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2014 | Virginia | UConn (#7) | UConn 63, Florida 53 (Win) | UConn 60, Kentucky 54 (Win) |
| 2013 | Indiana | Syracuse (#4) | Michigan 61, Syracuse 56 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2012 | Syracuse | Ohio State (#2) | Kansas 64, Ohio State 62 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2011 | Ohio State | Kentucky (#4) | UConn 56, Kentucky 55 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2010 | Kentucky | West Virginia (#2) | Duke 78, West Virginia 57 (Loss) | N/A |
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March Madness East Region Odds FAQ
Where can I bet on the odds to win the East Region for March Madness?
You can find odds for the winner of the East Region of March Madness, and most other college basketball futures, at many popular online sportsbooks. Odds Shark’s experts have compiled and reviewed a list of the best March Madness Betting Sites to help you bettors find the best site to place wagers and be successful.
How should I bet on the East odds for March Madness?
When making futures bets, like wagering on the winner of the East Region, you should consider the chance a team has to win the region, but also their potential value. Odds Shark’s How to Bet on March Madness guide has in-depth strategies and tips on how to successfully bet on the NCAAB Tournament this year.
Who has the best odds to win the East Region for March Madness?
The favorite to make it out of the East Region right now is Tennessee. Oddsmakers see the Volunteers as the team most likely to come out of the East side of the bracket during 2023’s March Madness.