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Chris Meaney
The most unlikely Cinderella run in March Madness history will continue in the East Regional Final of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. No. 15 Saints Peter’s has a chance to win the East when it takes on No. 8 North Carolina Sunday in the Elite Eight, though the Tar Heels enter the contest with much better Final Four odds.
North Carolina has -350 odds (77.8% implied probability) at BetMGM to win the East and advance to the third weekend of March Madness. UNC is an 8.5-point favorite against Saint Peter’s, which is only one victory away from doing what once appeared to be impossible.
With +270 Final Four odds, Saint Peter’s chances of winning the East have improved exponentially since the start of March Madness. The Peacocks entered the NCAA Tournament with +20000 odds to win the East Region. The school from Jersey City is the first No. 15 seed to reach the Elite Eight, and they’ve got a puncher’s chance to take it one step further.
No. 2 Kentucky was expected to make quick work of Saint Peter’s in the first round. The Peacocks’ second-round win over No. 7 Murray State was also deemed unlikely. They definitely were not supposed to beat No. 3 Purdue in the Sweet 16.
Can Saint Peter’s actually upset North Carolina and make the 2022 Final Four?
Who will win the East Region in the 2022 NCAA Tournament?
A look at the latest Final Four odds in the East region from DraftKings Sportsbook:
- No. 8 North Carolina -350
- No. 15 Saint Peter’s +270
- Point spread: North Carolina -8.5
- Over/under: 136.5
Why is North Carolina favored to win the East Region?
On paper, it seems like North Carolina should cruise through the Elite Eight to the Final Four. The Tar Heels have beaten half of last year’s Final Four field, upsetting defending champion No. 1 Baylor in the second round and outlasting No. 4 UCLA in the Sweet 16. North Carolina might have had the most impressive first-round victory, blasting No. 9 Marquette by 32 points.
The Tar Heels will have the five best players on the court when Sunday’s game starts. R.J. Davis and Caleb Love have alternated 30-point games in the last two contests, providing the kind of guard play that wins national titles. Brady Manek might be playing the best basketball of his five-year college career, averaging 22.3 points on 13.7 shots per game in March Madness. Armando Bacot is a double-double machine, putting up 15.3 points and 13.7 rebounds in the last three games.
Don’t be deceived by their No. 8 seed. North Carolina was a top-20 team in the preseason rankings because it has the talent to compete with any team in the country. The Tar Heels are putting it all together at the right time.
Can Saint Peter’s pull off another upset?
It is long past time to stop overlooking the Peacocks. With wins against two national championship contenders and a 31-win team, Saint Peter’s has proven its March Madness run is no fluke. Head coach Shaheen Holloway has turned this Cinderella into a legitimate threat for any team that stands in its way.
Saint Peter’s defense has been the driving force during its run. Surrendering 65.0 points per game in regulation, the Peacocks have kept each tournament opponent to 42.6% field-goal shooting or worse. It’s quite the accomplishment when you consider that Kentucky and Purdue are both top-15 scoring offenses, averaging better than 79.0 points on north of 48% shooting.
The Peacocks don’t have a dominant scorer carrying the offense, which is often the case with Cinderellas. When Oral Roberts reached the Sweet 16 last season as a No. 15 seed, guard Max Abmas was the nation’s leading scorer. Daryl Banks leads Saint Peter’s with just 11.5 points per game and was the team’s high scorer with 14 points against Purdue. Junior guard Doug Edert has come up with clutch shots off the bench, averaging 14.3 points per game in the NCAA Tournament.
Saint Peter’s vs. North Carolina Prediction
It almost feels wrong to pick against Saint Peter’s at this point. The Peacocks have overcome the odds at every step in March Madness. Saint Peter’s survived 30 points and 16 rebounds from National Player of the Year favorite Oscar Tshiebwe. The 27 points from Purdue’s vaunted centers didn’t get it done. Maybe big performances from Manek and Bacot won’t be enough to stop Saint Peter’s, either.
North Carolina’s backcourt, however, will have something to say about that. Not only are Love and Davis averaging a combined 34.7 points per game in the tournament, but they’ve risen to the occasion and made big shots when the Tar Heels have needed it most. UNC’s guards won’t score nine points on 16 shots like Purdue’s Jaden Ivey and Eric Hunter or have more turnovers than field goals like Kentucky’s TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler.
Saint Peter’s has already accomplished more than anyone could’ve imagined. The Peacocks’ magic finally runs out on the doorstep of the Final Four.
Prediction: North Carolina over Saint Peter’s, 75-68
How To Bet On March Madness
Maybe your NCAA Tournament bracket pool isn’t enough, and you want to make some March Madness futures bets for the first time. Don’t worry, FTNBets is here to help. In order to get started, you must know which sportsbooks are available in your state to set up a betting account.
Step 1: Set up a sports betting account
Most sportsbooks offer a sign-up bonus for first-time users. After downloading the app, you’ll need to create an account with an email address. Submit your name, address, phone number and other basic information.
Step 2: Deposit money into your account
Check out any deposit bonuses that the sportsbooks in your state might offer. Use a verified bank account to add money into your account before making any wagers.
Step 3: Make a March Madness futures bet
Now, you’re ready to bet! Make sure you understand the odds. For example, a $100 bet on Purdue +160 to make the Final Four comes with a $160 profit if the wager is successful. If you bet $100 on North Carolina +280 to win the East, a UNC Final Four appearance results in a $280 profit.
March Madness futures odds will continue to change as the 2022 NCAA Tournament moves along.
