West Region betting preview: Can anyone upset Gonzaga?

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Gonzaga is arguably the best team we've seen in decades, and it's the overwhelming favorite to emerge out of the West Region as a result. Still, the Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them against a talented but inconsistent region at large.

Odds to win the 2021 NCAA Tournament West Region

Should you bet the favorites?

You're paying a hefty price to back the best team in this region, but it sure is hard to stay away from Gonzaga (-250). The Bulldogs have three of the best players in the country in Drew Timme, Jalen Suggs, and Corey Kispert, and their adjusted efficiency margin (plus-38.05) is the best by any team in the KenPom era.

The only squad with an offense that can keep pace is Iowa (+350), which ranks second nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency behind the country's best player in Luka Garza. The 6-foot-11 big man scored 30 points on 13-of-18 shooting in a Dec. 19 loss to Gonzaga, and he's surely pining for a rematch in the Elite Eight.

Beyond those two, it's tough to feel confident in the upper tier of this region. Creighton (+700) has dropped three of its last six games after a 25-point loss to Georgetown in the Big East final, while Kansas (+800) and Virginia (+800) both withdrew from its conference tournaments with COVID-19 issues and likely won't be at full strength in the Big Dance.

Which lower seeds can make a run?

If USC (+800) counts as a "lower seed," then the Trojans are clearly the answer. Evan Mobley is the best player in this region that isn't suiting up for Gonzaga or Iowa, and the 7-footer is playing his best basketball with consecutive games of 26 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks.

Oklahoma (+1200) and Missouri (+2800) have both flirted with top-10 rankings this year, though a likely second-round matchup with Gonzaga quells the excitement for either. The same goes for Oregon (+1500), which has talent and experience but doesn't have the size to match up with Iowa.

One long shot to keep your eye on is UC Santa Barbara (+4500), which has won 18 of its last 19 games and has about as favorable of a draw as you could ask for a No. 12 seed. The Gauchos open with slumping Creighton and could face a reeling Virginia team in the Round of 32. If Gonzaga stumbles against Oklahoma or Missouri, the door is wide open for UCSB to make a deep run.

What teams should you avoid?

As I mentioned earlier, the No. 3 through No. 5 seeds in this region are all riddled with issues. Creighton hasn't looked comfortable in weeks, and the other top seeds might not even be able to practice with a full roster until shortly before tip off Saturday.

The team I'm most concerned about is Kansas, which was without David McCormack and Tristan Enaruna due to positive COVID-19 tests before the Big 12 Tournament. The team expects McCormack back for the NCAA Tournament, but if he's at anything less than full strength, the Jayhawks will hardly resemble the group that turned it on late in the year.

Best bet to win the West Region

Gonzaga -250

I entered Sunday ready to back the first talented team I saw in the Bulldogs' region. Then the bracket came out, and the mystery faded. Gonzaga has already blasted Iowa, Kansas, and Virginia by double digits in the regular season, and two of those three will likely be short-handed in a potential rematch.

If you can't stomach the short price, I'd suggest taking a shot on USC, which avoids Gonzaga until the Elite Eight and has the size to make a run. Otherwise, it's hard to go wrong backing a historically great team to reach the Final Four for the second time in four tournaments.

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.