2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament Midwest Region Breakdown, Predictions & Picks: Will Purdue Prevail?

After experiencing more March Madness heartache last season, Purdue is once again a #1 seed for the 2024 NCAA Tournament. But if this is to be the year that the Boilermakers finally reach the Final Four for the first time since 1980, they will have to navigate a Midwest Region that could feature some serious challengers.

Last year, Purdue was the #1 seed in the East and eyeing a run to Houston. But after being eliminated by mid-majors in 2021 (#13 North Texas in the first round) and 2022 (#15 Saint Peter’s in the Sweet Sixteen), the Boilermakers were bounced out in the first round by #16 Fairleigh Dickinson.

That upset will live on in NCAA Tournament history, but it doesn’t have to live on for Purdue. In 2018, Virginia became the first #1 seed in the men’s tournament to go down to a #16 seed, falling to UMBC in a historic blowout. The next year, they cut down the nets after winning the national championship in Minneapolis.

That run included an overtime win in the Elite Eight against Purdue, in the most recent of the Boilermakers’ three Elite Eight appearances since they last reached the Final Four in 1980.

This year, the Elite Eight would be a disappointment for Purdue. But there’s a lot of miles to go before they can reach Glendale, and they will need to navigate some difficult terrain along the way, which includes a few mid-majors capable of making March magic.

Will there be chaos in this quarter of the March Madness bracket? Or will the favored Boilermakers celebrate a regional title in their home state? Read on for our Midwest Region breakdown.

Midwest Region Teams and Seeds

1. Purdue (29-4, won Big Ten regular season title)
2. Tennessee (24-8, won SEC regular season title)
3. Creighton (23-9)
4. Kansas (22-10)
5. Gonzaga (25-7)
6. South Carolina (26-7)
7. Texas (20-12)
8. Utah State (27-6, won Mountain West regular season title)
9. TCU (21-12)
10. Virginia (23-10)/Colorado State (24-10)
11. Oregon (23-11, won Pac-12 Tournament)
12. McNeese (30-3, won Southland Conference regular season and tournament titles)
13. Samford (29-5, won Southern Conference regular season and tournament titles)
14. Akron (24-10, won Mid-American Conference Tournament)
15. Saint Peter’s (19-13, won MAAC Tournament)
16. Montana State (17-17, won Big Sky Tournament)/Grambling State (20-14, won SWAC Tournament)

Midwest Region Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetUS.

• Purdue +175
• Tennessee +325
• Creighton +450
• Kansas +1000
• Gonzaga +2000
• South Carolina +2000
• TCU +2800
• Oregon +4000
• Utah State +4000
• Colorado State +5000
• McNeese +6500
• Virginia +6500
• Samford +10000
• Akron +10000
• Montana State +50000
• Grambling State +50000

Midwest Region Breakdown

While Purdue is looking to make the Final Four for the first time since 1980, the second and third-best teams in the Midwest are looking to reach the Final Four for the first time ever.

Rick Barnes has had a lot of success as a head coach, winning over 800 games in stops at George Mason, Providence, Clemson, Texas, and Tennessee. But he has been to the Final Four only once, and he has been beyond the Sweet Sixteen just three times. Even with SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht, I will have my doubts about the Vols until and unless they disprove them.

Last year, Creighton reached the Elite Eight for the first time and suffered an agonizing last-second loss to San Diego State. This year’s team earned a #3 seed after losing two starters to the transfer portal, but are they better? They were at their best at home in Omaha.

Purdue may not suffer the same fate as last year, but there’s a good chance we will see multiple first-round upsets in the Midwest Region.

Kansas was ranked #1 to start the season, but between injuries, an inability to win on the road, and potential internal issues, the Jayhawks have had a very disappointing season. And with Kevin McCullar Jr. out for the NCAA Tournament, they are ripe for the picking by a Samford team that plays fast and is one of the best three-point shooting teams in college basketball.

Elsewhere, McNeese is a popular March Madness sleeper pick (that includes yours truly), and Colorado State, Oregon, and Utah State all have the talent to make a run beyond the first weekend.

Midwest Region Predictions and Picks

Which Midwest Region Teams Will Reach the Sweet Sixteen?

• Purdue (-400): The winner of TCU/Utah State could be tricky, but the Boilermakers should avoid any stumbles in the first two rounds.
• McNeese (+600): Gonzaga went on a nice late-season run before losing to Saint Mary’s in the championship game of the WCC Tournament, but I think the Cowboys will eliminate them then take out Samford in the second round.
• Tennessee (-240): Isaiah Stevens and Colorado State (who will eliminate Virginia in the First Four and Texas in the first round) are good enough to vaporize the Vols, but I think they will survive.
• Oregon (+400): The Ducks are about as healthy as they could hope to be at this point. That’s bad news for the rest of the Midwest, including South Carolina and Creighton.

Which Midwest Region Teams Will Reach the Elite Eight?

• Purdue: It would be quite the story if Will Wade and the Cowboys were to reach the Elite Eight, but I think they will fall short.
• Tennessee: South Carolina beat them in the regular season, and both Creighton and Oregon have a lot of talent. But if there’s any Tennessee team that can reach this point, this is the one to do it.

Midwest Region Winner Pick: Purdue (+175)

The Boilermakers are not my national championship pick, but I do think they will be one of the four teams in Glendale.

It certainly doesn’t hurt to have the best player in college basketball, but Purdue didn’t dominate the Big Ten and spend all season ranked inside the top four nationally just because of Edey.

More March Madness Betting Information

Where Can You Bet on March Madness This Year?

Each year, millions upon of millions of March Madness bets are placed at the top online sports betting sites.

Most March Madness betting takes place around and at tournament time, which is from mid-March to early April. But throughout the year, you can bet on who you think will win the college basketball national championship.

Along with men’s college basketball odds, most good sportsbooks now carry women’s college basketball national championship odds, which are drawing a lot of attention this season with the likes of South Carolina, Iowa, and LSU vying to cut down the nets in Cleveland, Ohio on April 7.

Numerous sportsbooks are good for March Madness betting, but in addition to BetOnline, here are some of the books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (Review)
• BetUS (Review)
• Bovada (Review)
• MyBookie (Review)

If you are unfamiliar with any of the above sites, check out our sportsbook reviews to learn more about them. Speaking of offers, keep an eye on the latest sportsbook offers from these books and others as the countdown to the opening tip of March Madness continues. That way, you will not miss out on any special sports betting promos and bonuses to pad your bankroll for March Madness betting.

Other March Madness Content at Betting News

If you’d like to check out our other March Madness content, our March Madness guide is where you can find it all in one tidy place. But here’s a rundown of some of what we have put together to help you with your NCAA Tournament betting this year.

We’re also covering the 2024 NIT, so check out that content as well.

• Men’s March Madness Futures Odds
• Women’s March Madness Futures Odds
• 2024 Men’s Final Four Odds
• Six Men’s March Madness Sleepers for 2024
• Best March Madness Betting Tips & Strategies
• March Madness Betting Trends & Stats to Know for 2024
• Where to Find the Best March Madness Betting Picks
• Best March Madness Betting Sites for This Year
• This Year’s Best March Madness Bracket Challenges
• Betting News Bracket Mania (Our FREE March Madness Bracket Challenge!)

Interested in Learning More About Betting on March Madness & NCAA Basketball?

If you are interested in learning more about betting on men’s or women’s NCAA basketball, check out our college basketball betting guide. It covers the basics of wagering on March Madness, the Mountain West, the MAAC, McNeese State, and beyond.

• College Basketball Betting Guide: How to Bet on NCAA Basketball in 2024

Also, follow Betting News on X/Twitter, Twitch, and TikTok to get more March Madness and NCAA basketball insight from myself and the rest of our team. We’re cooking up a lot of great NCAA Tournament content for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, so hit those links so you don’t miss out on any of it.

• Betting News on “X”/Twitter
• Betting News on Twitch
• Betting News on TikTok

Who is your pick to win the Midwest Region? Get your free March Madness bracket picks in for our Betting News Bracket Mania contest and win some goodies from the Betting News store if you finish first, second, or third.

If you’re looking to get your hands on some cold, hard cash, check out the $200,000 Bracket Madness contest at BetOnline, which carries a grand prize of at least $50,000 and cash prizes for the top 1,250 finishers.