2010 Bracket Picks: The East Region, which begins play on Thursday night with Kentucky taking on East Tennessee State, features the fewest number of top 25 teams of the four brackets. However, the region is tied with the South for the most top ten squads, as it is home to the aforementioned Wildcats (No. 2) in addition to West Virginia (No. 6), and New Mexico (No. 8). The favorite to win the bracket in BetUS.com's 2010 Bracket Picks is Kentucky at +140 moneyline odds.
Kentucky, the only SEC team in the East Region, will be challenged by a number of top contenders 
from power conferences such as the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. The first in line for the Wildcats, after they dispatch Eastern Tennessee, could be former No. 1 Texas, which is the eighth seed in the bracket.
The Longhorns (+3000 moneyline odds to win the East), who play Wake Forest in the first round, have fallen far since ascended to the top spot in the AP Poll, but the fact that they were there at all says something about the talent that Rick Barnes's squad possesses. Texas ranks seventh nationally in points per game at 81.2 and second in the nation in rebounds per game at 42.2.
The Longhorns certainly have the size and athleticism to match Kentucky, but they will need more discipline and focus to actually upset John Calipari's troops. Despite their many hiccups, forward Damion James believes his team can get regrouped for a strong tournament run.
"I don't think there's a team in the country that will want to play Texas," James said. "We are out of the Big 12 now, and we can play some other teams, teams that have never seen us play."
If this matchup does indeed come to fruition, look for Texas to play with a 'nothing to lose' abandon that could have the Wildcats sweating it out.
BetUS.com 2010 Bracket Picks: East Region
Kentucky +140
West Virginia +200
Wisconsin +700
New Mexico +1200
Temple +1600
Marquette +1800
Clemson +2000
Texas +2000
Missouri +2000
Washington +3000
Wake Forest +4000
Cornell +10000
Wofford +15000
Montana +20000
Morgan State +30000
East Tennessee State +30000
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