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The 2021 NCAA Tournament is set to begin on Thursday with the First Four, and the round of 64 is set to begin on Friday. Teams across the country are preparing to compete for a national championship, as this year’s competition could be the most unpredictable one yet because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The South region doesn’t look as competitive as most of the others on paper. Let’s take a look at some odds of its top contenders at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Baylor’s title odds (+500) are second only to Gonzaga and they are heavily favorited to make the Elite 8 (-157) and Final 4 (-134). Although the Bears slipped toward the end of the year with losses to Kansas in the regular season and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, they are expected to cake-walk into the later rounds of March Madness.
Ohio State has the second-best Elite 8 (+130) and Final 4 odds (+400) in the South. The Buckeyes have the eighth-best title odds (+2000). Texas Tech has the third-best Elite 8 (+400) and Final 4 odds (+600) but is a big step back from the two frontrunners.
North Texas, Oral Roberts, and Hartford all have +5000 Elite 8 odds, but Hartford has the worst Final 4 odds of the group at +15000. Having to go through top-seeded Baylor doesn’t bode well for the Hawks’ future.
Odds to reach 2021 Elite Eight, Final Four — South region
| Team | Make Elite 8 | Miss Elite 8 | Make Final 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Make Elite 8 | Miss Elite 8 | Make Final 4 |
| Baylor | -157 | +125 | -134 |
| Ohio State | +130 | -162 | +400 |
| Texas Tech | +400 | -560 | +600 |
| Arkansas | +425 | -625 | +800 |
| Wisconsin | +750 | -1430 | +1000 |
| North Carolina | +1200 | -5000 | +1150 |
| Villanova | +675 | -1115 | +1150 |
| Purdue | +550 | -910 | +1400 |
| Florida | +1100 | -3335 | +1800 |
| Utah State | +1450 | -5000 | +1800 |
| Virginia Tech | +1200 | -5000 | +3000 |
| Colgate | +2000 | -10000 | +6000 |
| North Texas | +5000 | -10000 | +8000 |
| Oral Roberts | +5000 | -10000 | +10000 |
| Winthrop | +3000 | -10000 | +10000 |
| Hartford | +5000 | -10000 | +15000 |
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