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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 Midwest region has a clear favorite that’s one of the hottest teams in basketball. Let’s take a look at some odds of its top contenders at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Illinois is fresh off winning the Big Ten Tournament and hasn’t lost in seven games. The Fighting Illini have the third-best title-odds (+700) in college basketball and have the best Elite Eight (-167) and Final Four (+150) odds in their region. Houston isn’t far behind, though. The Cougars’ Elite Eight odds are +150 while their Final Four odds are +400. Oklahoma State has the third-best odds to make the Elite Eight (+400) and Final Four (+600).
Morehead State, Cleveland State, and Drexel are at the bottom of the odds when it comes to Elite Eight odds (+5000). Drexel has to go through Illinois, though, so its Final Four odds are a region-worst +12000.
Odds to reach 2021 Elite Eight, Final Four — Midwest region
| Team | Make Elite 8 | Miss Elite 8 | Make Final 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Make Elite 8 | Miss Elite 8 | Make Final 4 |
| Illinois | -167 | +133 | +150 |
| Houston | +120 | -150 | +400 |
| Oklahoma State | +400 | -625 | +600 |
| West Virginia | +350 | -480 | +700 |
| Tennessee | +650 | -1250 | +1000 |
| Loyola Chicago | +1300 | -5000 | +1400 |
| Rutgers | +900 | -2000 | +1800 |
| Clemson | +1500 | -10000 | +2000 |
| Georgia Tech | +1800 | -10000 | +2000 |
| Syracuse | +1500 | -10000 | +2500 |
| San Diego State | +600 | -1000 | +3000 |
| Oregon State | +2000 | -10000 | +6000 |
| Morehead State | +5000 | -10000 | +8000 |
| Cleveland State | +5000 | -10000 | +10000 |
| Liberty | +3000 | -10000 | +10000 |
| Drexel | +5000 | -10000 | +12000 |
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