Duke’s Dominance? Breaking Down the East Region of the NCAA Tournament

2025 NCAA Tournament: East Region Breakdown – Best Bets, Sleepers & Upset Picks

March Madness is here, and with the NCAA Tournament bracket officially set, it’s time to dive deep into the East Region. From powerhouse favorites to potential Cinderella stories, this region has no shortage of intrigue. If you’re looking for the best bets, sleeper picks, and potential early exits, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s break down the East Region, headlined by top-seeded Duke Blue Devils, and see which teams have the best path to the Final Four.

Most Likely Final Four Team: #1 Duke Blue Devils

Duke enters the tournament as the top overall seed and the team to beat. Led by superstar Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils have dominated throughout the season and boast one of the most complete rosters in college basketball.

Not only is Duke an elite team, but they also landed one of the easiest paths to the Final Four. Unlike the other #1 seeds, they avoid major threats early on. Mississippi State (#8) or Baylor (#9) won’t pose much of a challenge, and neither Arizona (#4) nor Oregon (#5) looks like a serious roadblock in the Sweet 16.

The biggest question for Duke will be Flagg’s health. After an ankle injury in the ACC Tournament, his availability could determine how dominant this team looks in the early rounds. However, even without him at full strength, Duke has the depth and talent to navigate the East Region with relative ease.

Final Four Prediction: Duke rolls through and makes it to Phoenix.

Sleeper Final Four Pick: #6 BYU Cougars

If you’re looking for a high-risk, high-reward Final Four pick, BYU is your team. The Cougars live and die by the three-pointer, making them a dangerous Cinderella candidate in a single-elimination tournament.

What makes BYU an intriguing pick?

Elite three-point shooting – If they get hot, they can take down anyone.
Favorable matchups – Alabama (#2) is dealing with injuries, and Wisconsin (#3) is vulnerable.
Underrated defense – BYU has the ability to slow down high-powered offenses.

Of course, there’s also a huge risk. If they go cold from deep, they could be eliminated in the first round by #11 VCU. But if you want a bracket-busting pick, BYU has the tools to make a shocking run to the Final Four.

Final Four Upset Potential: BYU is boom-or-bust, but if their threes are falling, watch out.

Most Likely Early Exit (Top 4 Seed): #3 Wisconsin

If there’s a team on upset watch early, it’s Wisconsin. The Badgers have had an inconsistent season and could struggle in the Round of 32.

Here’s why Wisconsin could be in trouble:

Over-seeded – Wisconsin likely deserved a #4 or #5 seed, making their placement a bit generous.
Tough Second-Round Matchup – They’ll likely face either BYU or VCU, both teams that can expose their weaknesses.
Lack of offensive firepower – If Wisconsin falls behind early, they may struggle to mount a comeback.

While they should get past #14 Montana in the first round, Wisconsin is a strong candidate to bow out before the Sweet 16.

Prediction: Wisconsin is an early upset casualty in the Round of 32.

First-Round Upset Alert: #12 Liberty over #5 Oregon

March Madness wouldn’t be complete without a classic 12-over-5 upset, and this year, Liberty has a real shot at taking down Oregon.

Liberty is red-hot – They’ve won 11 of their last 12 games.
Oregon is over-seeded – Most projections had them closer to a #7 or #8 seed.
Liberty’s defense is underrated – They can slow the pace and force Oregon into uncomfortable shots.

One challenge for Liberty? This game is in Spokane, Washington, giving Oregon a significant travel advantage. Still, momentum is on Liberty’s side, and they have the defensive grit to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Liberty stuns Oregon in a classic 12-5 March Madness upset.

Player to Watch: Cooper Flagg (Duke)

There’s no bigger star in the 2025 NCAA Tournament than Cooper Flagg. The projected #1 pick in the NBA Draft, Flagg is a do-it-all forward who can dominate on both ends of the floor.

Elite scoring ability – Can take over a game at any moment.
Defensive powerhouse – One of the best shot-blockers in the country.
Clutch factor – Has the potential to carry Duke deep into the tournament.

The major storyline? Flagg’s ankle injury from the ACC Tournament. If Duke plays it safe and rests him in the opening round, it could allow him to be fully healthy for a deep tournament run.

Prediction: If Flagg is 100%, he could be the MVP of the tournament.

The East Region is Duke’s to lose, but there’s plenty of potential for chaos. BYU could be a Cinderella story, Wisconsin looks vulnerable, and Liberty has major upset potential.