March Madness 2013 Odds: Projecting How Favorite in Each Region Will Fare

There are a handful of teams that could cut down the nets in Atlanta this spring as NCAA Tournament champions, but only a select few who will begin their journey to the Final Four as favorites in their respective region.

From Gonzaga out West to Indiana in the East, NCAA Tournament title contenders will have to string together some wins this March with a massive target on their backs.

Below we'll project how the favorite in each region will fare in 2013.

*All odds according to Sportsbook.com.

East Region: No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (+110)

The No. 1-seeded Hoosiers are the favorite in the East Region according to Sportsbook.com, and should have no problem steamrolling through 16th-seeded James Madison on Friday in Dayton, Ohio. 

No No. 1 seed has ever lost to a No. 16 seed, and that doesn't look to change in 2013.

In the round of 32, Indiana could face either No. 8 NC State or No. 9 Temple. Although both teams are dangerous, the Wolfpack is the more threatening opponent given its hot shooting and elite talent. Still, the Big Ten regular-season champions will be a heavy favorite going up against either team on Sunday, making Indiana a virtual lock for the Sweet 16.

In the East Regional semifinals, the Hoosiers would likely be taking on either No. 4 Syracuse or No. 5 UNLV. Both teams are dark-horse contenders for the national championship this spring, but the Orange's sturdy zone defense will likely propel them into a much-anticipated showdown with the Hoosiers.

Behind the strength of Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo, I look for Indiana to overcome Syracuse in the Sweet 16, setting up a colossal Elite Eight clash with second-seeded Miami.

But as much as I like Tom Crean's rotation, the experience and guard play for the Hurricanes impresses me more. Look for the ACC Tournament champions, led by former George Mason coach Jim Larranaga (who led the Patriots to the Final Four seven years ago) to take out Indiana in the nation's capital in the East Regional final.

Projected Finish: Elite Eight

Midwest Region: No. 1 Louisville Cardinals (Even)

Many consider Rick Pitino's Cardinals to be the best team in the tournament this year, and for good reason. Louisville has won 10 straight games and won the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden this past weekend.

Sportsbook.com gives Louisville the best shot to reach the Final Four for the second straight year from the loaded Midwest Region, but I'm not sold on the Cardinals heading to Atlanta just yet.

Don't expect Louisville to have any trouble against 16th-seeded North Carolina A&T on Thursday, or the winner of No. 8 Colorado State vs. No. 9 Missouri on Saturday. Peyton Siva and the Cardinals should cruise into the Sweet 16 to play either No. 4 Saint Louis or No. 5 Oklahoma State. Those two teams are the favorites to reach the Midwest Regional semis.

But again, I look for Louisville to win easily to reach the Elite Eight. That's where the Cardinals will run into trouble, though, as they will likely take on the second-seeded Duke Blue Devils, a team that beat them once already this season and sports an 18-1 record with senior forward Ryan Kelly in the lineup.

Kelly's presence on the floor for Mike Krzyzewski's team cannot be overstated. He can defend, shoot the long ball and score on the inside, and so long as he is logging significant minutes this March, I like Duke to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2010.

Projected Finish: Elite Eight

South Region: No. 3 Florida Gators (+160)

Kansas and Georgetown may be the two most doubted higher seeds in the NCAA Tournament this year. While the Jayhawks won the Big 12 Tournament to earn a No. 1 seed in the South Region, the Hoyas won the Big East regular-season title to earn a No. 2 seed in the South.

But if you ask Sportsbook.com, the third-seeded Florida Gators are the favorite to reach the Final Four from this wide-open region.

It's not all that surprising that the Gators would be favored, though, as they should roll into the Sweet 16 after knocking off 14th-seeded Northwestern State in the round of 64 and then the winner of No. 6 UCLA vs. No. 11 Minnesota on Sunday.

In the South Regional semifinals I expect Erik Murphy, Kenny Boynton and the hot-shooting Gators to overwhelm second-seeded Georgetown, advancing to the regional final against the Jayhawks. While Kansas has plenty of talented players, Bill Self's squad lacks a point guard, and that will doom them in the Elite Eight.

Like President Barack Obama, I like Florida to advance to the Final Four out of the South Region this year. 

Projected Finish: Runner-Up

West Region: No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (+250)

If the Midwest Region is the toughest bracket in this year's tournament, then the West Region is the easiest. Although there are still doubts about how good Gonzaga really is, the No. 1-seeded Bulldogs, along with No. 2 Ohio State look to be the favorites to reach the Final Four by way of Los Angeles.

Like the Big Ten Tournament champion Buckeyes, the Bulldogs look like a comfortable pick for the Sweet 16. Mark Few's squad should handle Southern in the round of 64 and then the winner of No. 8 Pittsburgh vs. No. 9 Wichita State in the round of 32 on Saturday.

Gonzaga is one of the best shooting teams in America, ranking third with a team field-goal percentage of 50.4. Whichever team the Zags face off against in the West Regional semifinals will have to play lights-out defense in order to advance. That said, I like Kelly Olynyk and company to march into the Elite Eight where they will take on Ohio State.

With the Buckeyes relying heavily on Deshaun Thomas (19.5 points per game), I'm not confident that they can keep pace with the Zags on the offensive end. Therefore, I look for the West Region favorite to deliver, and cut down the nets in L.A.

Projected Finish: Final Four

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