Best bets to win each NCAA Tournament region ahead of Sweet 16

How was that for an opening weekend? The first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament were absolute chaos, resulting in four double-digit seeds in the Sweet 16. Do any of them have a chance to emerge out of their region?

Below, C Jackson Cowart and Alex Kolodziej break down their best bets to win each region and earn a trip to the Final Four - including at least one lower seed with a chance to crash the party.

West Region

Alex Kolodziej: This is a tricky region, because nothing really stands out to me. I have no interest in laying 1-5 odds on Gonzaga, although an 83.3% implied probability sounds about right for a team that owns the best adjusted net rating of, well, ever.

The odds imply that USC wins the region 22.2% of the time, and Oregon 15.4%, and I simply disagree. Creighton's the fun one out of this bunch, but with my luck, the Bluejays will somehow beat Gonzaga by 30 and then get destroyed by the Ducks in the Elite Eight. I'll pass and leave this one up to you, C.

C Jackson Cowart: I'm with you here. Do I want to bet Gonzaga? Not really. Do I want to bet anybody else? Again, not really.

If I had to place a wager, though, it'd be on USC. I loved the Trojans coming into this tournament because of future top-five pick Evan Mobley - who put up a ridiculous 10 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in a 34-point second-round beatdown of Kansas.

The Ducks simply don't have any answer for Mobley, and neither does Gonzaga - though the Trojans will have a tough test against the Zags' trio of stars, too. Still, if any team can present a matchup problem for Gonzaga, it's USC.

East Region

AK: Florida State had my attention for a bit, but after crunching the numbers, I'm not sure it's the best bang for your buck.

Michigan is really tough to bet against this time of year, and all head coach Juwan Howard's done this season is cover 18 of 26 games. The biggest takeaway from the Round of 32 was how calm and collective the Wolverines were when things didn't go their way; they quickly erased an early hole to LSU and never looked back en route to cashing as a four-point favorite.

Michigan's disciplined, well-coached, and I'd be content betting the Wolverines to win a rock fight, track meet, or any style in between.

CJC: I'll admit Michigan's impressed me without senior Isaiah Livers, who likely won't be back in time for the Elite Eight, either. That's problematic against a Florida State team that just held consecutive opponents to 0.82 points per possession or fewer.

I'll happily avoid that matchup entirely and take Alabama, which was my original Final Four pick entering the tournament. The Crimson Tide are relentless with their pace but still attack you defensively, a combo that should give UCLA trouble Sunday. And I like Nate Oats' team in a tight one against whomever emerges from the other side.

South Region

AK: Arkansas gets the nod for me at 2-1. I don't trust a Baylor defense that quietly gave up 70 or more in four of five prior to the tournament and ranks outside the top 35 nationally in adjusted efficiency, and Villanova's had a weak draw so far without Collin Gillespie.

I'll also appreciate it if the Razorbacks don't fall into any early double-digit deficits, as they've done so often this season.

CJC: The correct answer here is likely Arkansas. I'm with you about the early deficits, but if someone can't see a potential title team within those comeback efforts, I don't know what else to show them.

Baylor looked solid in two wins against overmatched competition, but those aforementioned defensive woes are a major concern if you're laying such short odds. We saw inconsistent defense catch up to Ohio State and Iowa; the Bears could easily be next, so there's value with Villanova, as well.

Midwest Region

AK: Loyola Chicago is terrifying. The offense is efficient, the defense clamps, and Porter Moser is one of the most underrated game planners in the entire nation.

There isn't a whole lot separating the Ramblers from Houston, so I'll take the better price on a team fitting the bill as a contender in the first place.

CJC: I don't know how you could watch that performance against Illinois and not pick the Ramblers to emerge out of the Midwest. They were masterful at defending ball screens and crowding every easy opportunity for the Illini, and the offense is smooth as butter with Cameron Krutwig doing his best Nikola Jokic impression.

One of the perks of having a veteran group with Final Four experience is that it won't beat itself. Oregon State doesn't have the talent to beat Loyola Chicago without an absurd shooting performance, and I'm not sure Houston's rebound-heavy approach will work against the Ramblers. I loved this team's title chances a month ago, and I like them even more now.

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