Are you ready for March Madness? You’d better be because it’s here! One of the favorites to win the national championship is the Houston Cougars at +360. As the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, naturally, Houston is the heavy favorite to win its region at -115.
While upsets have shaken up the odds in the other regions, the top three seeds in the Midwest advanced to the Sweet 16, and No. 5 Miami took care of No. 4 Indiana in impressive fashion to punch its ticket to the next round.
Hoosier Daddy?
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) March 20, 2023
Miami (+105 ML) dominates Indiana 85-69 and advances to the Sweet 16!pic.twitter.com/LO2m2FiEQe
Can another side win this tough region? Here’s a look at the Midwest Region oddsboard, the favorite and a sleeper pick.
Check out our March Madness betting guide to help you get some money down on the hardwood in March. If your bracket gets busted, no problem, take a look at our Bets over Brackets page to give you some insight on how to continue to enjoy March Madness as the tournament goes on.
Who Will Win the March Madness Midwest Region?
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Houston | -115 |
| Texas | +210 |
| Xavier | +700 |
| Miami (FL) | +800 |
Odds as of March 21
Why Houston Is The Midwest Region Favorite
The Cougars are one of the favorites to win the entire tournament (they’re second on the oddsboard at +360), so it would be weird if they weren’t favored to win their region. But what makes Houston such a strong bet for both the Midwest Region and the national championship?
Defense, that’s what. Allowing an average of 56.6 points per game, Houston has the second-best defense in the country. In their 13-game winning streak prior to losing the AAC championship game to Memphis, the Cougars allowed an average of 59.8 points. Their strong defensive game was on point as the regular season ended, just the way coach Kelvin Sampson would have wanted.
Houston’s offense isn't great, but it is in the top 100 (it's ranked exactly 100th). Scoring an average of 74.9 points per game. That’s enough scoring to go all the way and win a national championship. In 2022, Kansas averaged 76.2 points and won the championship. With Houston’s excellent defense, 74.9 points per game (on average) is certainly enough to win it all.
Value Pick Of The Midwest
Xavier (+700)
I picked Xavier as my tournament sleeper and while at +700 to win the Midwest they may not be a “sleeper,” they’re at the very least a great value pick.
For the Musketeers to win, they’ll have to outscore their problems. They’ve got an outstanding offense, averaging 81.2 points, but their defense has been an issue. The Musketeers have given up an average of 73.8 points per game, the 289th-ranked defense in the nation.
When the competition ramps up, Xavier rises with a 6-5 record this season vs sides ranked in the AP Top 25. In those 13 contests, they averaged 77.6 points per game while allowing 75.8 per game. Again, they outscored their problems against stronger sides. That’s ideal as the field of 363 schools is whittled down to 64 of the best sides for March Madness.
March Madness Midwest Region Historical Information
Before Kansas’ win last year, a No. 1 seed hadn’t made it out of the Midwest and into the championship game since Kentucky accomplished the feat in 2014. You can use these previous Midwest betting trends to inform your bets at one of our top College Basketball Betting Sites.
Here’s a look at the March Madness Midwest Region results since the 2012 season:
| Season | No. 1 Seed | Midwest Region Winner | Midwest Region Final Four Result | Midwest Region Championship Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Kansas | Kansas (#1) | Kansas 81, Villanova 65 (Win) | Kansas 72, UNC 69 (Win) |
| 2021 | Illinois | Houston (#2) | Baylor 78, Houston 59 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2019 | North Carolina | Auburn (#5) | Virginia 63, Auburn 62 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2018 | Kansas | Kansas (#1) | Villanova 96, Kansas 79 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2017 | Kansas | Oregon (#3) | North Carolina 77, Oregon 76 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2016 | Virginia | Virginia (#1) | Syracuse 68, Virginia 62 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2015 | Kentucky | Kentucky (#1) | Wisconsin 71, Kentucky 64 (Loss) | N/A |
| 2014 | Wichita State | Kentucky (#8) | Kentucky 75, Michigan 72 (Win) | UConn 60, Kentucky 54 (Loss) |
| 2013 | Louisville | Louisville (#1) | Louisville 77, Oregon 69 (Win) | Louisville 85, Duke 63 (Win) |
| 2012 | North Carolina | Kansas (#2) | Kansas 64, Ohio State 62 (Win) | Kentucky 67, Kansas 59 (Loss) |
March Madness Midwest Region Odds FAQ
Where can I bet on the odds to win the Midwest Region for March Madness?
There are many places online where you can bet on the odds to win the Midwest Region for March Madness. If you wish to wager on Midwest Region odds, simply visit any one of our best March Madness betting sites online, and all of your March Madness Midwest Region betting needs will be met.
How should I bet on the Midwest odds for March Madness?
If you are looking at placing a futures bet on the winner of the Midwest Region, you should consider the favorite, but also the potential value of some underdogs. Odds Shark’s How to Bet on March Madness guide has in-depth strategies and tips on how to successfully bet on March Madness futures this year.
Who has the best odds to win the Midwest Region for March Madness?
Right now, the Houston Cougars have the best odds to win the Midwest Region in this year’s March Madness. While the favorite does not always win, Houston is seen by oddsmakers as the 2023 college basketball team with the best chance to advance through the Midwest Region and progress to the Final Four.