2011 NCAA Bracket Picks: Southeast Region Odds, Predictions and Bracketology Expert Projections

2011 NCAA Bracket Picks: Southeast Region Odds, Predictions and Expert Bracketology Projections: When you look up and down this region, it becomes apparent that there are a handful of teams that could emerge from the mix in the 2011 NCAA Tournament Bracket. Things become further muddled when you consider the fact that not a single team enters the Tournament with a lot of momentum. Even top-seeded Pittsburgh is coming off a loss in the opening round of the Big East Tournament.

NCAA Bracket Southeast Region Favorites to Make the Final Four

Pittsburgh: After going out of conference and beating Texas and handling Syracuse and Connecticut with relative ease, there were definitely times when Pittsburgh seemed like the top team in the nation. However, surprising loses to Tennessee and St. John’s raised questions about their offense. The Panthers can defend as well as any team in the Tournament, but prolonged offensive droughts are still a concern. That being said, they have met almost every challenge put in front of them this season, and after coming close a number of times with Jamie Dixon, this could be the year the Panthers get to the Final Four.

Wisconsin: You will have to ignore that embarrassing 33-point performance against Penn State because the Badgers are actually a really good team. Jordan Taylor can play as well as any point guard in the country, and Wisconsin is loaded with guards and post players that can spread the floor and knock down threes. The Badgers can create matchup problems for any team and any defense, and even without their freakish home court advantage, they can make a run to the Final Four.

NCAA Bracket Southeast Region Upset Specials

Michigan State over UCLA: I could go on and on about all the problems the Spartans have had this season, but this is March. This is Tom Izzo’s time. MSU is going to rebound and grind it out on defense, and if Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers can hit a few shots, Izzo and company could be on their way to another deep run. There is a lot of inexperience in this region, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Spartans could go as far as the Elite Eight.

Utah State over Kansas State: KSU was a preseason top-five team but underperformed in a big way for most of the season. A late season hot streak put them back in the mix, but at the very least, the Wildcats are prone to inconsistent play. Utah State on the other is a squad that goes seven deep with excellent guard play. With a bad game from KSU’s Jacob Pullen, and Utah State could find themselves in the second round.

Wofford over BYU: The suspension of Brandon Davies has changed the make-up of BYU, and the Cougars live and die almost exclusively with Jimmer Fredette these days. If he needs 25-plus shots to get 30 points, even Wofford can pull the upset.   

NCAA Bracket Southeast Region High Seed on Alert

Florida: It was a bit of a shock to see the Gators grab a No. 2 seed despite looking very mediocre in a loss to Kentucky in the SEC Tournament title game. The guards have had trouble sharing the ball at times this season, and the problem was on full display against the Wildcats. When Florida’s post players don’t get touches, it bogs down the Gator offense and causes disinterest on defense. A potential second-round matchup with Michigan State could prove to be a nightmare for Florida.

NCAA Bracket Southeast Region PREDICTION: #4 Seed Wisconsin Badgers

Vegas Favorites and Odds to win the 2011 Southeast Region
Get 2011 Southeast Region Odds on each individual game at BetUs Sportsbook
Pittsburgh +155
Butler +6050
Old Dominion +4550
Kansas State +805
Wisconsin +765
St Johns +1015
BYU +805
UCLA +4050
Michigan State +1815
Florida +365
Any Other +725