16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson's stunning win over 1-seed Purdue flipped the East Region on its head.
The first two days of action in the East Region saw six of the eight lower seeds - #2 through #7 - advance. Despite the favourites winning most all of the first round matchups, Purdue's shock defeat to FDU changed the complexion of the region entirely. The upset opened the door for multiple schools to have a real shot at winning the region.
One of those schools was high-flying #2 Marquette, but they were run off the court by #7 Michigan State in the round of 32. The East is the only region in which both the 1- and 2-seeds are already eliminated.
Let’s take a look at the upcoming matchups and latest odds for the East region.
| What | #3 Kansas State vs. #7 Michigan State |
| Where | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York |
| When | 6:30 ET, Thursday, March 23rd |
| How to watch | TSN |
| Odds | Michigan St. -1.5, Kansas St. +105 ML |
This clash between state schools should be one of the best of the last 16.
Kansas State was picked to finish last in the Big 12 before the season began due to having a new coaching staff and just two returning players. Reaching the tournament and advancing this far is a massive win for the program in itself. But this group doesn't look to be done.
Point guard Markquis Nowell single-handedly took over at the end of KSU's round of 32 win over #6 Kentucky and might be the best - and shortest - player on the court against MSU. The Little Rock transfer finished with 27 points and nine assists against UK and was the sparkplug for a resilient second-half comeback win.
On the other side, #7 Michigan St. is playing like anything but a 7-seed. Tom Izzo's men have been one of the top-performing teams so far this March after an up-and-down regular season.
Izzo is proving why he is considered one of the best coaches in college basketball history, and arguably the best ever in March. MSU's win over #2 Marquette in the round of 32 marked Izzo's 16th win as a lower seed in the tournament, the most in history.
Michigan St. are second-favourites to advance to the last four from this region at +310.
Men's NCAAB Championship: The favourites to win it all
NCAAB Championship: Schedule, Watch Live & Printable Bracket
| What | #4 Tennessee vs. #9 Florida Atlantic |
| Where | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York |
| When | 9 ET, Thursday, March 23rd |
| How to watch | TSN |
| Odds | Tennessee -5.5, Florida Atlantic +215 ML |
If you predicted these two teams would meet in the last 16, you're part of a small, small minority.
FAU (+600 to Win Region) used a last-second lay-in from Nicholas Boyd to skate past #8 Memphis in the opening round. Then, thanks to the second-ever 16-over-1 triumph, they faced #16 Fairleigh Dickinson in the round of 32. Even though FDU beat a 1-seed two days prior, FAU was the more athletic, more talented team, and it showed in their victory.
Tennessee (+110 to Win Region) reaching the regional semifinal isn't quite as surprising, although it was presumed the loss of starting guard Zakai Zeigler and the lack of recent tournament success would hamper UT.
After handling business against #13 Louisiana on Thursday night, Rick Barnes' team unexpectedly took it to #5 Duke on Saturday in a game many predicted they would lose. Olivier Nkamhoua was sensational in the second round win, finishing with 27 points in just 22 minutes.
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