March Madness predictions: Who wins the East Region?

[ASFN Admin]

The 2025 NCAA Tournament officially got underway on Tuesday night with a pair of play-in games between Alabama State vs. St. Francis and North Carolina vs. San Diego State. These first four games will continue on Wednesday, and then Thursday morning will bring the start of what's been widely regarded as the two best days in sports.

Dana Altman and the Oregon Ducks will have to wait until late on Friday night for their first-round matchup against the Liberty Flames, which will tip off as the last game of the first round at 7:10 p.m. PT. Should the Ducks get past the Flames they will have a number of teams to contend with to try and make it back to a Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, or even a Final Four.

So, will they be able to get on a hot streak and make a run through March? It's always possible, but they've got some elite talent to contend with. Let's take a wider look at the East Region and predict who the favorite should be to come out of the quadrant and play for a spot in the national championship.

NCAA Tournament East Region Betting Odds​

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(All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

• Duke (-140)
• Alabama (+430)
• Arizona (+800)
• Wisconsin (+1100)
• BYU (+2000)
• Saint Mary's (+2500)
• Oregon (+3200)
• VCU (+3700)
• Mississippi State (+4000)
• Baylor (+4200)
• Vanderbilt (+7500)
• Mt. Saint Mary's (+250000)
• Montana (+250000)
• Akron (+250000)
• Liberty (+250000)
• American (+250000)
• Robert Morris (+250000)

Top Players to Know​

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Duke — Cooper Flagg

2024-25 stats: 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists

Alabama — Mark Sears

2024-25 stats: 18.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists

Wisconsin — John Tonje

2024-25 stats: 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Arizona — Caleb Love

2024-25 stats: 16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists

VCU — Max Shulga

2024-25 stats: 15.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists

Baylor — VJ Edgecombe

2024-25 stats: 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists

BYU — Richie Saunders

2024-25 stats: 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists

Mississippi State — Josh Hubbard

2024-25 stats: 18.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists

Oregon Ducks' Record vs. East Region Teams​

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Oregon is 3-0 against East Region Teams in 2024-25

• 79-48 W vs. Montana
• 83-81 W vs. Alabama
• 77-73 OT W vs. Wisconsin

NCAA Tournament East Region Prediction​

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The East Region is tough to predict in the 2025 NCAA Tournament simply because there is one major unknown going into the first round. That unknown is Duke superstar Cooper Flagg and the status of his ankle injury. After going down with a gruesome twisted ankle in the ACC Tournament, there is optimism that Flagg, the expected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, will be ready to play in Friday's game against either American or Mount Saint Mary's. Even if Flagg is healthy enough to play, will he be 100% and able to lead Duke to a Final Four?

That's the question. Outside of Duke, there are some incredibly talented teams in the East, including Alabama, Wisconsin, Arizona, and BYU, among others. Ultimately, my money is on Alabama to get out of the region, led by Mark Sears and a potent offense.

NCAA Tournament East Region Championship Odds​

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• Duke (+280)
• Alabama (+1800)
• Arizona (+4200)
• Wisconsin (+6500)
• BYU (+12000)
• Saint Mary's (+13000)
• Oregon (+18000)
• Baylor (+20000)
• VCU (+20000)
• Mississippi State (+27000)

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: March Madness predictions: Who wins the East Region?

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