2021 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Picks: West, East Regions

 

Evan Mobley, USC

West Region

(1) Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. (5) Creighton Bluejays

After rolling through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, Gonzaga gets their first significant test in the form of fifth-seeded Creighton. The Bluejays entered March Madness with some serious off-the-court questions, but they've managed to fend off upset bids from UC-Santa Barbara and Ohio. 

The best offensive team in the country all season, Gonzaga has continued to score at will over the first two rounds. They dropped 98 against Norfolk State and then 87 against Oklahoma, as sophomore Drew Timme went for 30 points. In order for Creighton to have any chance at pulling the upset, they'll have to find some way to slow down this offense, which no team has been able to do effectively. It's a group with an abundance of scoring options, from Corey Kispert, to Drew Timme, to Jalen Suggs. Even the complementary pieces on this roster have proven they can play vital roles, such as Joel Ayayi and underrated Andrew Nembhard. In order to contain this offense, Creighton will have to find a way to slow them down in transition and make them play in the half-court. The Bulldogs still have an elite half-court offense, but slowing down their tempo is the first step. The Bluejays have to find a way to stop Gonzaga in the paint and force them to shoot. They aren't a bad jump-shooting team, but they have not had to lean on the three ball much this season and forcing them out of their comfort zone is critical. 

Creighton will have to put up a lot of points themselves, which could be an issue for an inconsistent offense. This lineup does have some playmakers, chief among them lead guard Marcus Zegarowski, but it will need more production from the supporting cast. That means shooters like Christian Ballock and former Duke transfer Alex O'Connell will have to open up the offense, while slashers Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney get to the rim. The Bluejays have done a good job of slowing the game down and taking good looks against UCSB and Ohio but again, Gonzaga is a complete different animal. They control the pace and tempo as effectively as anybody in the country and defensively they are adept at forcing turnovers. Zegarowski versus Suggs should be the matchup to watch; if Zegarowski can limit turnovers and put his teammates in good position, the Bluejays have a chance. If not, you get the feeling this could turn into another Gonzaga rout.

Creighton might not have the explosiveness Gonzaga has, but there's a reason this team won 22 games and was a five seed in this Tournament. They're a well-coached team that plays a really smart and disciplined form of basketball. They've played tremendous defense over the season's second half, but they haven't faced an offense that gets up and down the court quite like Gonzaga. I don't doubt that the Bluejays can hang around, but they need to play their best basketball of the season for the entire 40 minutes to pull off an upset. Perhaps they can do it, but the smart money is obviously on Gonzaga, who should roll to the Elite Eight.

The Pick: Gonzaga by twelve

(7) Oregon Ducks vs. (6) USC Trojans

The Pac-12 Conference has become somewhat of a punchline among the Power Five programs in college football and basketball, but the league has responded with an amazing 2021 NCAA Tournament. Four Pac-12 teams remain alive (Oregon, USC, Oregon State, UCLA), the most out of any conference in the country. Now, two of the league's best collide, with a berth in the Elite Eight on the line.

Oregon dealt with injuries all season long but now playing at full strength, the Ducks look like an extremely dangerous basketball team. They advanced to the second round due to COVID issues at VCU but then responded by dominating second-seeded Iowa, 95-80. The offense was so effective against the Hawkeyes that they shot 56% from the field and overcame 36 points from National Player of the Year favorite Luka Garza. It's hard to imagine Oregon continuing that level of shooting, but they may not need to if they're able to play better on the defensive end. It will be interesting to see how the Ducks choose to attack USC. Chris Duarte and Will Richardson are their two top scorers when fully healthy, but I'd imagine they still want to maintain some interior presence. Eugene Omoruyi had a really good game against Iowa, but he's undersized at 6'6" and will have a tough matchup against Trojan freshman phenom Evan Mobley. With traditional big N'Faly Dante sidelined, that could mean we see more of freshman Franck Kepnang, who enrolled for the spring semester. Kepnang's main focus will be on defending Mobley the other way, but Oregon could try and draw up some lobs to get him involved. He also provides great energy on the glass, and this is a decent offensive rebounding Ducks team. If they can string together a few extra possessions against the Trojans, it could make all the difference.

The Trojans are fresh off a 34-point victory over Kansas that ranks as one of the worst defeats in the history of KU basketball. This is certainly not a signature Kansas team, but it was still fairly shocking how dominant USC looked on both ends. They held the Jayhawks to under 30 percent from the field and built a shocking 43-27 advantage on the boards. The one-two punch of Evan Mobley and his older brother, Isaiah, has proven to be overwhelming when both are playing well. Evan is in many ways a traditional big but he can step out and hit a three once in awhile, while Isaiah has a more diverse offensive skillset. Those two are going to be very tough matchups for Oregon, but the supporting cast will also have to play well. Guards Tajh Eaddy and Drew Peterson don't get the attention of the Mobley brothers, but they've certainly played an important role on this team. They're going to be particularly important guarding a high-energy Oregon backcourt that will look to run at every opportunity. Peterson didn't have a good shooting night against Kansas, so he'll look to get back on track here.

I'm very conflicted on who I end up choosing to move on to the West Regional Final. On one hand, I've liked Oregon's chances to go on a run all season long and this is the type of high-octane offensive team that would match up really well with Gonzaga. On the other hand, USC is a tremendous defensive team who has the best player on the court in Evan Mobley. I think the pace and flow of this game will determine who comes out on top. If the Ducks are able to run and get some easy looks in transition, I like them to win the game. If the Trojans are able to slow it down a bit and force Oregon's offense to be a little bit stagnant, I like them. USC won the only matchup the two teams had in the off-season, but that was not against a full strength Oregon squad. I think the Ducks respond this time around, and do just enough to overcome the Mobley brothers.

The Pick: Oregon by three

East Region

(1) Michigan Wolverines vs. (4) Florida State Seminoles

While Iowa and Illinois ended their Big Ten schedules playing better basketball, Michigan was the most consistent team atop the league for the 2020-21 season. Now, they remain the conference's last hope still alive in the NCAA Tournament, with every other team washing away in the first weekend. Standing in their way of an Elite Eight appearance is fourth-seeded Florida State, who has beaten UNC-Greensboro and Colorado en route to the Sweet 16.

The Wolverines are not playing at full strength, as senior Isaiah Livers has a stress injury on his foot that will likely cost him the remainder of the season. The absence of Livers, one of their best pure scorers, has forced others into more feature roles. That includes sharpshooter Eli Brooks, who had 21 points in the win over LSU, as well as skilled defender Chaundee Brown. It's not an ideal situation, but Michigan has proven they can roll with the punches, and they dispatched a really strong push from LSU. They key in this game likely won't be Brooks or Brown, but what Wolverine starters are able to do. Big man Hunter Dickinson has been tremendous all season, but he had a frustrating game against the Tigers, dealing with constant foul trouble. He should have an advantage in the post against Florida State that might just be what he needs to get going again. Point guard Mike Smith also had a rough go in the second round game, and needs to get some confidence back. He has never been their go-to scorer, but plays an important role as the team's floor general. Then there's Franz Wagner, who has really stepped and been a difference-maker down the stretch. The two-way wing will be especially important, going up against a plethora of Seminole guards with size and length. Michigan still proved they could score without Livers when they dropped 86 against LSU, but they absolutely need Dickinson and Smith to play better. Florida State is a pretty good defensive team, but the Wolverines should still be able to keep the scoreboard operators busy.

The Seminoles have not played a pretty brand of basketball in their first two wins of the Tournament, but they've still managed to advance. This is a team with a couple of stars, but the lineup as a whole is fairly balanced throughout. M.J. Walker is their top scorer, but Scottie Barnes and Anthony Polite also put pressure on opposing defenses. Barnes might end up being an X-factor here; the former five-star recruit has been tremendous when FSU is playing well, but he's been awfully inconsistent. He had just nine total points in their first two games, but will need to get going if the Seminoles are to move on. Walker, Polite, and Wyatt Wilkes are also going to have to shoot the three better than they have as of late. With Brooks feeling it for Michigan, the Wolverines have been stroking from deep. Florida State simply doesn't have the offensive punch they need to hang on if this trio isn't shooting the ball well. Then there's the big men, RaiQuan Gray and Balsa Koprivica, who will likely rotate defending Dickinson. I'm interested in this matchup because they are both physical bigs, but Dickinson is pretty crafty. If they're able to contain the fabulous freshman just enough, FSU is in a good spot.

In my original bracket I picked Florida State to win this matchup, en route to an eventual Final Four berth. Yet, Michigan answered a lot of concerns for me in that second round win, even though it wasn't necessarily pretty. They took a few punches from a really tough LSU team and were able to come back and throw enough punches of their own to win the game. I always thought it was a little bit unfair to think this basketball team was just going to fold because Livers is out. It's an extremely tough team that should be ready for another dogfight against Florida State. I still think the Seminoles are an exceptionally tough Sweet 16 matchup, but I'm back on the Wolverines train.

The Pick: Michigan by six

(2) Alabama Crimson Tide vs. (11) UCLA Bruins

One of the last teams to gain entry into the Field of 68, UCLA has proven the detractors wrong by amassing three wins over the last week-and-a-half. However, their toughest test of March so far arrives in the form of second-seeded Alabama. The Crimson Tide blew out Maryland this past weekend to advance to the Sweet 16, and get one step closer to becoming the first school since 2006-07 Florida to win both a basketball and football title.

Alabama is led by an extremely balanced, fun-to-watch offense. Their backcourt is loaded with playmaking potential, from Jahvon Quinerly to John Petty Jr., to Jaden Shackelford and Herb Jones. They have an ideal blend of shooters (Shackelford and Petty) with aggressive guards and wings that can attack the rim consistently (Jones and Quinerly). They don't offer a ton of size in their frontcourt or many traditional big men, but that hasn't stopped them from evolving into one of the best rebounding teams in the entire country. The Tide have occasionally been inconsistent on offense, but dropping 96 against Maryland in the second round seems to indicate the team is playing with a lot of confidence and energy. The bigger questions remain on the defensive end, where the team has occasionally lacked the focus and discipline to defend tough for the entire forty minutes.

While Alabama has more depth throughout their lineup than UCLA, the Bruins still offer a nice variety of offensive weapons. The three to really keep an eye on are former Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang, bruising wing Jaime Jaquez Jr., and lead guard Tyger Campbell. This trio isn't your traditional set of Bruin stars, but they are still effective. Juzang was merely a complementary piece during his one year in Lexington, but he's shown a tremendous ability to become a go-to option on offense. Jaquez went for 27 points against Michigan State in the "First Four" and has a really well-rounded game. Campbell has a funky head of hair that even has its own Twitter account but he's a tough, Mick Cronin-type guard. The entire trio can hit the three ball at a decent rate, which they might have to against this high-powered Alabama attack. It's interesting that this particular UCLA team is similar in many ways to past Cronin-coached teams, but also quite different in other ways. They're not as strong defensively as some of those Cincinnati teams Cronin led, but they're still tough and bruising. The Bruins tend to play a lot of isolation basketball, but it's generally still a strong offensive team. I'll be interested to see whether this team wants to get out and run with Alabama or go the usual Cronin route, which is to slow things down and extend possessions.

I'll be the first one to admit I wasn't very high on either of these teams coming into the NCAA Tournament. Alabama had a dominant year in the SEC but they're still a little bit streaky, and it's a team without a signature star. UCLA had just one win against an at-large Tournament team (Colorado), but they've gotten hot at the right time and find themselves in the Sweet 16. I think the Bruins will be a tough team to overcome, but the Tide are better rested, and more athletic. They won't run away with it, but I do think they'll end up moving on.

The Pick: Alabama by eight

2021 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Picks: Midwest, South Regions

Buddy Boeheim, Syracuse

 

Midwest Region

(12) Oregon State Beavers vs. (8) Loyola-Chicago Ramblers 

The NCAA Tournament is always an event that provides plenty of chaos, and the Midwest Region certainly has fit that bill. While every college basketball anticipated a potential Illinois-Oklahoma State clash in the Sweet 16, the Illini were handled by in-state rival Loyola-Chicago and the Cowboys were dispatched by Oregon State. That sets up an intriguing matchup between a well-coached, disciplined Rambler squad and a suddenly flaming hot Oregon State edition. 

Loyola enters as the seven-point favorite, and it's understandable why. They've won 17 of their last 18 games, are a program becoming accustomed to March success, and are one of the best defensive teams in the country. In addition, Loyola has one of the most likable stars in the nation in big Cam Krutwig. Krutwig doesn't have the look or game of a superstar, but he's fresh off a dominating performance in the Illinois game, where he had 19 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. The supporting cast is full of veteran pieces who might not go for 20 every night, but play an efficient brand of basketball. Guys like Lucas Williamson, Braden Norris, and Marquise Kennedy are all perfect complementary pieces with a favorable mix of skills. This isn't the most explosive offense Oregon State has seen in 2020-21, but it's enough to make them work for the entire forty minutes. 

On the other side, the Beavers are a really shocking "Cinderella" story. They were picked dead last in the Pac-12 in the preseason and were mostly an average team throughout most of the season. As impressive as the Pac-12 Title run was, beating Tennessee and Oklahoma State in back-to-back games may be even more significant. They were able to keep Cade Cunningham in check and still put together great offensive performances, even though they don't have a real signature star either. Backcourt mates Ethan Thompson and Jarod Lucas are their two top weapons, but forward Maurice Calloo may be the X-factor. He's really stepped up in the last three games and as an athletic 6'10" forward, he'll probably get a run at guarding Krutwig. For Oregon State to advance their first Elite Eight since 1982, the Beavers will have to not only have a great defensive game, but also play the efficient brand of basketball Loyola does. They've done a great job so far, but this Loyola team plays so much different than their last two opponents. Basketball is a game of matchups, and I love the way the Ramblers match up here.

The Pick: Loyola by ten

(2) Houston Cougars vs. (11) Syracuse Orange

Both Houston and Syracuse survived intense second round bouts with Rutgers and West Virginia, granting them access to the Tournament's second weekend. The Cougars needed a late comeback to hold off Rutgers, but UH will not back down in this game. They play a brand of basketball particularly designed to slow down the pace and bully opponents into submission. They rotate a strong collection of guards who aren't very great shooters, but are relentless in attacking the rim. Former Kansas transfer Quentin Grimes has had a breakout 2020-21 season, and operates as Houston's top offensive weapon. He's their best three-point shooter (42%) but is at his best when he gets downhill when and attacks. The same can be said for most of Houston's athletic guards and wings, which includes senior DeJon Jarreau, who may end up being the real X-factor here. Jarreau has been battling a bad hip that forced him to barely play at all in the first round against Cleveland State and really limited him against Rutgers, even as he came back to score 17 points. Jarreau plays such a large role not just as a scorer and passer, but as the de-facto senior leader on this team. If he's still not 100 percent, other Cougars are going to have to continue to step up and play larger minutes, like the hero of the second round win, Tramon Mark.

Syracuse's march to the Sweet 16 has been surprising in some ways, but also somewhat predictable. While the Orange were a middle-of-the-pack ACC team for much of the season (in a down year for the league), this is a program that really seems to kick it into gear when March arrives. They also play a unique style that can be really tough for opposing teams, even when they're expecting it. Jim Boeheim's 2-3 zone is well-known around the world of basketball, and it's been lethal in the first two games. Against San Diego State, the Orange held the Aztecs to 36% shooting from the field and 28% from three. Against an elite West Virginia offensive team, the Orange held them to 37% from the field. Even against good shooting teams, such as WVU, the zone works so effectively because it is able to dictate rhythm and flow in a way that few other defenses are able to. It also helps that 'Cuse has been extremely hot themselves on the offensive side, with sharpshooters Buddy Boeheim (Jim's son) and Joseph Girard III letting it fly at a fairly incredible rate. Buddy in particular has been shooting out of his mind down the stretch. After hitting threes at a 39% clip during the regular season, he's nailed 24 in just the final four games. During that span, he's averaging 28.3 PPG. No matter what else is happening offensively, with that type of lead guard production rolling, Syracuse is going to be a tough out. The Orange frontcourt isn't as important as their backcourt, but veterans Alan Griffin and Marek Dolezaj do just enough to keep opposing defenses honest. 

I'm not sure whether Syracuse will be able to keep up their crazy shooting numbers going forward, but they might not need to if the defense continues to play as well as it has. Houston does have two potential advantages they could deploy: they are a good offensive rebounding team, and 'Cuse can struggle to rebound off the zone. In addition, forward Fabian White could be a nice zone breaker in the middle, even though he's been very limited in '20-'21 due to injury. However, I still like Syracuse to move onto the Elite Eight and take a stab at Loyola-Chicago. They're playing very good basketball right now, and have a little bit more versatility than the Cougars. I'm not sure how he keeps doing it at his age, but Boeheim adds another win, and Elite Eight trip to his illustrious resume.

The Pick: Syracuse by four

South Region

(1) Baylor Bears vs. (5) Villanova Wildcats

Villanova head coach Jay Wright has had better teams than this current iteration, but leading this particular one to the Sweet 16 might actually be his best coaching job yet. A week before the Big East Tournament Villanova lost their most crucial piece in guard Collin Gillespie to a torn MCL. In addition, Justin Moore and Jermaine Samuels also haven't been operating at complete 100 percent. Yet, the Wildcats dominated 13th-seeded North Texas this past weekend to move onto the second weekend, where they get a crack at No. 1 seed Baylor. 

With Gillespie gone, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Moore have really helped pick up the slack. Robinson-Earl is Villanova's top offensive option, a 6'9" athlete who isn't much of a shooter, but still has a diverse skill set that allows him to average 16 points per game. Moore, a sophomore, has really stepped up in getting his teammates involved and playing better defense. With those two leading the way, the supporting cast has been able to come in and play their specific roles well. Wings Caleb Daniels and Bryan Antoine can come on and hit a big shot or two to open up the offense. Forwards Cole Swider and Samuels do enough to bang down low and put pressure on opposing frontcourts. The offense still does not operate as smoothly as it would with Gillespie on the court, but enough other Wildcats have stepped up to keep them humming.

Baylor is a really difficult matchup, even for a healthy 'Nova team. There's a reason that the Bears lost just one regular season game in the second toughest conference in America. They're deep, long, athletic, and have a signature star in Jared Butler. Butler has not been shooting as well over the last several games as he was mid-season, but the versatile scorer can still put pressure on opposing defenses the entire game. He also has a team that supports his strengths really well, and can score plenty themselves. MaCio Teague is a silky smooth operator from anywhere on the court, and Davion Mitchell is an elite shooter. Wing Matthew Mayer may be the most underrated player anywhere in college basketball, and rim runner Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua is a joy to watch. It's an elite three-point shooting team, but they're also incredibly difficult because of what they do defensively. They switch on every screen and every cut to the hoop, which they're able to because it's essentially five position-less basketball players out there at one time. Their length and instincts allow them to get their hands into passing lanes and disrupt offenses, even though they play a relatively simplistic brand of defense. I have wondered in the past how they would respond to a team being able to exploit their lack of true big men in the post, but Villanova isn't a team that runs much offense in the post. It could be a weakness exploited against them the further that we get in this NCAA Tournament, but I'm not sure if the Wildcats will be the ones to exploit it.

The coaching matchup in this game will be a real chess match. Scott Drew has developed a reputation as an excellent program builder, and nobody can question the job he has done in Waco. But, he is still trying to shake off some March demons that continue to haunt him. Wright, meanwhile, has rid himself of his own March struggles and has won two of the last four NCAA Tournaments. He's been extremely creative at getting this offense to still work, even without the heart-and-soul of Gillespie. With that being said, Baylor is a different animal than Villanova's first two foes, Winthrop and North Texas. They also seem to be recovering from the long COVID pause that completely disrupted their seasons, looking fresher and fresher with each game. 'Nova will do enough to make it a game, but I like the Bears to move on to the regional finals.

The Pick: Baylor by seven

(3) Arkansas Razorbacks vs. (15) Oral Roberts Golden Eagles

Oral Roberts has become the first 15-seed since Florida Gulf Coast back in 2013 to get to the Tournament's second weekend and they're hopeful to make more history by earning a spot in the Elite Eight. First, they'll have to get past an extremely hot and capable Arkansas club that survived a dogfight with Texas Tech in the second round.

Oral Roberts finished fourth in the Summit League in the regular season, but ended the year on a five-game win streak that has now extended to seven after beating Ohio State and Florida. They are, in many ways, reminiscent of that Florida Gulf Coast team. The Golden Eagles play an up-tempo style and love to get out and run. They also happen to have one of the nation's top scorers in sophomore Max Abmas, who averages 24.5 PPG off 47% shooting. The big question is whether the rest of the supporting cast can not only hang with Arkansas offensively, but make stop pivotal stops against the Razorbacks. Oral Roberts is simply not a good defensive team, but they've been able to make consequential stops in big moments against OSU and Florida. Will that carry over here? The Razorbacks are a more balanced offensive team than either OSU and Florida, and a team that's proven to be at their best in close games.

One of the primary focuses for Oral Roberts on defense will be finding a way to contain freshman sensation Moses Moody, who leads Arkansas in points per game and is also very active on the glass. While Moody has struggled with consistency at times this season, he will still enter the game as the best player on the court. He leads a backcourt that will also push the pace for the entire forty minutes, a group that doesn't shoot the ball at an elite clip but gets to the rim and finishes. Guys like J.D. Notae, Jalen Tate, Desi Sills, and Davonte Davis play with the type of controlled, consistent energy that head coach Eric Musselman has injected into the entire program. Davis is a particularly interesting player to watch; he's almost never going to step out and hit a three, but his defense is where his impact is most felt. In the final possession of the Texas Tech game, he denied Red Raider star Mac McClung the ball the entire rest of the way, forcing a frenzied TTU possession that ended up securing a Razorback victory. Don't be shocked if Davis is one of several Razorbacks who rotate on and guard Abmas. How they do handling Oral's top offensive weapon could decide the game.

For Oral Roberts to make history and become the first 15-seed to ever make the Elite Eight, they'll need to play even better than they did in their first two games. Arkansas is the type of team that gets up for everybody, whether it's the nation's best or a fourth place finisher from the Summit League. Abmas will not only need to have a tremendous night, he will also need the rest of the Golden Eagle supporting cast to open up the offense and make big shots. They'll also need to have their best defensive night of the season, and also find their own on the glass. The Razorbacks are one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country, even if they don't have a ton of size beyond gigantic 7'3" Connor Vanover, and they do an excellent job of finding extra possessions. It's a tall task no matter what seed you are and well I'd love to see the Cinderella run continue, I just don't think the matchup with Arkansas is a favorable one.

The Pick: Arkansas by twelve

2021 Bracket Analysis: South Region

Jared Butler, Baylor

While Gonzaga spent the entire 2020-21 season atop the polls, Baylor operated for much of the year as the "greatest threat to the 'Zags", spending nearly the entire campaign perched at No. 2. An extremely long COVID pause disrupted the Bears' season, but they still went on to go 22-2 overall and win their first conference title in seven decades, back when they were members of the Southwest Conference. The Bears now enter the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed, but with their stock a step below National Championship favorites Gonzaga & Illinois. It's still a team worthy of your respect; they're one of the best shooting teams anywhere in college basketball, led by a premier star in Jared Butler, and have loads of experience. The primary concerns surrounding Baylor are two-fold: can their hot shooting continue onto the Tournament? And, can they survive a potentially treacherous path through their region, which begins with a dangerous test of either UNC or Wisconsin? I still really like Baylor's chances to come out of the region, and I still contend that it's the Bears, not Michigan, Illinois, or anybody else, that matches up best with Gonzaga in a possible National Championship Game. 

Baylor's first round opponent is none other than the University of Hartford Hawks, who won the America East Championship over UMass-Lowell. The Hawks are almost surely going to be easy pickings for a motivated Baylor squad, but that doesn't change the fact that even getting here is a tremendous story. Hartford had never made the NCAA Tournament as a Division I program prior to gaining entry last week and most of their history as a program has been forgettable. Since making the transition to D-I in the mid-1980s, the Hawks have had just 12 winning seasons and have yet to cross the 20-win threshold. Yet, head coach John Gallagher found a way to lead this team to the Big Dance this year in his 11th with the program. Just to make it there is quite an accomplishment, but consider how they did it. This is one of the worst offensive teams in all of college basketball, one of the worst rebounding, and an average defensive team. And yet, they got hot at the right time to get an opportunity to square off against Baylor. ESPN's "Basketball Power Index" gives them just a 2.2% chance to win Round One, which seems about right. But, this is a program that should appreciate just being here and getting a chance (slim as it may be) to extend their season. Even in a very unique March Madness, that is definitely something to be celebrated.

As a program that has made ten NCAA Tournaments since 1998, Winthrop hardly qualifies as a "dark horse" in the South Region, but the Eagles could still cause some chaos. They absolutely pummeled their competition in the Big South this season, going 17-1 in the league, with their lone loss coming by just two to UNC-Asheville. The Eagles are a balanced offensive team across the board, with four different players reaching double-digit scoring offenses, along with a plethora of bench options. They also possess two of the best mid-major players in the country in guard Chandler Vaudrin and forward D.J. Burns. Burns is fresh off a dominating performance in the Big South Championship Game, where he dropped 22 points in just 21 minutes. Vaudrin is not only their top scorer, but he also leads the Eagles in both assists and rebounds, while shooting 48% from the field. This Winthrop team certainly has the makeup of a potential "Cinderella" and it just so happens that they can a very favorable matchup in the first round against Villanova. The Wildcats are a National Title contender when fully healthy, but they're beat up across the board and sorely miss lead guard Collin Gillespie, who really is the heart and soul of the team. Winthrop should be favored there, and they also match up fairly well against either Purdue or North Texas in Round Two. The pieces are in place for the Eagles to win their first Tournament game since 2007, when they upset sixth-seeded Notre Dame.

2019's National Championship Game feels so long ago that it's easy to forget that Texas Tech came agonizingly close to the program's first ever National Title. This 2021 team probably won't be getting quite that far, but Chris Beard and this Red Raider program have proven they're one of the toughest outs anywhere in the country. It's a team that's always going to play strong defense and come at you for the entire forty minutes, but this particular Texas Tech edition is a little bit more interesting. It's an interesting mix of former transfers (Mac McClung, Marcus Santos-Silva) and 2019 holdovers (Terrance Shannon Jr., Kyler Edwards), along with some youngsters mixed in. McClung really is the key; the high-flying guard has had some incredible moments in his first season in Lubbock, but he's also been frustratingly inconsistent. When McClung is on and shooting well, this is a team that can legitimately compete with just about any team they face. When he's not, the offense is too often bogged down without any complementary pieces able to take on that leading role. McClung's been cold of late, but I have a feeling that the NCAA Tournament could be a different story for him. It's his first appearance in March Madness and he's never been a shy offensive player. If he can get back on track, this is may be the most dangerous team in the bottom-half of the South Region. To be fair, to make any type of prolonged run, they'll have to first get past a very tough and well-coached Utah State, as well as a likely date with a flaming hot Arkansas team. I think they can do it, but again, it all falls on McClung's shoulders what this Texas Tech is going to end up being.

There may not be any team in the entire field as mysterious as Patriot League Champ Colgate. Without a non-conference schedule to lean on, the Raiders ended up playing just 15 games in their 2020-21 season so far. They were ultimately successful, as they went 14-1, with their lone loss coming by just two to Army. Despite their mysterious nature, one thing is very clear about this Colgate team: they are going to put up points. They averaged 86.3 points per game as an offense on the year, which ranked just behind Gonzaga on the national level. It's an offense that can score in a variety of ways; they're a slick transition team that loves to get out and run, but they can also score in the half-court. It's a team that can bully you in the post when necessary or step out and stroke threes, where they shoot at a 40% clip as a team. Colgate is an excellent example of a modern college basketball team. Not only do they score in bunches and love to shoot the ball, they run a true four-guard lineup with the lone big man being 6'10" forward Keegan Records. The Raiders face off against third seed Arkansas in Round One, a game that "will be played on skates," according to Clark Kellogg. While the Razorbacks come into the NCAA Tournament flaming hot, so do the Raiders, who have now won 13 straight. Sure, the Patriot League isn't exactly elite national competition, but this is still a team that could stir up some chaos in the bottom part of the region. Either way, if you're betting on this Arkansas/Colgate game, bet the over no matter the number.

Picking the South

Round One

1 Baylor over 16 Hartford ... Hartford's first NCAA Tournament appearance at the Division I level ends up being short-lived, as Baylor rolls.

8 UNC over 9 Wisconsin ... UNC's collection of bigs, Garrison Brooks, Armando Bacot and Walker Kessler overwhelm a Badger team that has really struggled to defend the paint all season.

12 Winthrop over 5 Villanova ... Even a full strength Villanova squad might have troubles with the Big South Champs but without Gillespie, the Eagles lock it down.

4 Purdue over 13 North Texas ... The Mean Green went on a valiant run to win the Conference USA, but they don't have the offensive punch to take down the Boilermakers.

6 Texas Tech over 11 Utah State ... Utah State is not an easy first round matchup, but Mac McClung does enough to lead the Red Raiders into Round Two.

3 Arkansas over 14 Colgate ... A fantastic upset opportunity here for Colgate, but the Razorbacks are playing too well to stop.

7 Florida over 10 Virginia Tech ... Virginia Tech has one of the weakest resumes of any NCAA Tournament team. The Gators send them home packing quickly.

2 Ohio State over 15 Oral Roberts ... You're never sure what you're getting with this streaky Buckeye team, but they shouldn't have too much difficulties with the Summit League Champs.

Round Two

1 Baylor over 8 UNC ... This is a much tougher second round game than most may realize, but Baylor's superior outside shooting propels them into the second weekend.

4 Purdue over 12 Winthrop ... The battle between Trevion Williams and D.J. Burns should be must-watch TV, but Purdue's supporting cast helps them move on.

6 Texas Tech over 3 Arkansas ... Chris Beard's teams seem to play their best basketball during March, and they have the tools to end Arkansas' hot streak.

2 Ohio State over 7 Florida ... The rematch of the 2007 National Championship ends differently this time around, with Ohio State moving on.

Sweet 16

1 Baylor over 4 Purdue ... Another game that should test Baylor's interior defense, but the Boilermakers simply have no answer for Jared Butler.

2 Ohio State over 6 Texas Tech ... It may be boring for both top seeds to move onto the Elite Eight, but Ohio State is a legitimate National Title contender when Kyle Young is healthy.

Elite Eight

1 Baylor over 2 Ohio State ... People seem to be forgetting about just how great of a season Baylor has had. They have the talent, depth, and experience to make a Final Four berth, even in a sneakily tough region.

South Region Champ: 1 Baylor Bears

2021 Bracket Analysis: East Region

Eli Brooks, Michigan

With a 14-3 record in the Big Ten, Juwan Howard and the Michigan Wolverines took home the 2020-21 Big Ten regular season title. It's quite an accomplishment for the second-year head coach in the toughest conference in America, particularly considering the Wolverines had to deal with a lengthy COVID pause right in the heart of their league schedule. However, Michigan enters the NCAA Tournament without the usual momentum reserved for a No. 1 seed. They've now lost three of their last five and recently learned that veteran wing Isaiah Livers was likely to miss the entire March with a stress injury in his foot. Those questions leave the East Region fairly wide-open, opening the door for SEC Champ Alabama, Big 12 Champ Texas and ACC runner-up Florida State. It could end up being a fairly chaotic region, but I'd advise against completely writing off Michigan just yet. Even without Livers, it's a lineup that still has plenty of weapons, and the program has had a lot of March success over the past decade. The Wolverines might actually offer nice value considering so many people have jumped off their bandwagon in recent weeks.

There are several really strong 8/9 matchups this year, but none might be better than the showdown between LSU and St. Bonaventure. LSU has one of the most explosive offenses anywhere in college basketball, led by the dynamic trio of Trendon Watford, Javonte Smart and Cam Thomas. They went toe-to-toe with Alabama for the SEC crown and seem to be playing their best basketball of the season at the right time. On the other side, St. Bonaventure is an incredible defensive team that allows just over 60 PPG. They won both the Atlantic 10 regular season title and the conference tournament, an impressive resume even in a relative down year for the league. It really is your classic matchup between an elite offense and elite defense, with neither side holding a clear advantage. Whoever is able to come out of the first round will pose quite a stiff challenge for Michigan in Round Two. I usually lean great defense over offense in these types of matchups because defense is generally more consistent, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to see LSU go on a run themselves.

Speaking of down years for respective conferences, it was not a banner year at all in the ACC. Not only did their two signature programs, Duke and North Carolina, both struggle but even the top finishers in the conference such as Virginia and Florida State struggle to develop any consistency. Despite this, I view the Seminoles as a very dangerous four seed. Leonard Hamilton has done a terrific job building a consistent winner in Tallahassee, and the 'Noles have a lot to like. They have a crop of volume-scoring guards that can put constant pressure on opposing defenses in M.J. Walker and future lottery pick Scottie Barnes, as well as plenty of size in the post. FSU isn't as deep as in years past nor as strong of a defensive team, but what makes them especially dangerous is their favorable path. UNC Greensboro is an upset-minded 13 seed but the Southern Conference Champs have never won a Tournament game. If FSU does manage to get past them in the first round, a second round matchup between Colorado/Georgetown is favorable. Georgetown went on a marvelous run to win the Big East but they're still a very flawed team, while Colorado is one of the weaker five seeds in my view. Assuming the Seminoles can get through there, a potential date with Michigan, possibly the weakest one seed right now, is all that stands in their way for an Elite Eight berth. Of course no path to a deep Tournament run is easy, but it does set up pretty nicely for Florida State. Out of all the four seeds, I see the Seminoles as having the best chance at playing into the second weekend and beyond.

It's not often we see two powerhouse programs like Michigan State and UCLA play in a "First Four" game, but 2021 is a unique year. The Spartans needed a huge second half of the season to make their 23rd straight NCAA Tournament under Tom Izzo, while UCLA sweated out Selection Sunday after losing to Oregon State in the Pac-12 quarterfinals. As both teams are well-regarded programs that started out the season in the Top 25, it's likely the winner of their matchup will be a popular pick to unseat sixth-seeded BYU in the first round. But, I would be wary of taking either the Spartans or Bruins to go on any type of run this year. At 15-12, this may be the worst team Izzo has ever had in East Lansing and while they are playing better down the stretch, the offense continues to be one of the worst in any power conference. UCLA on the other hand simply has not beaten very much quality foes on the campaign. Aside from a victory over Colorado in January, they do not own a single win over an at-large NCAA team (Oregon State is their only victory over any other Tournament team, but they were an auto bid). Simply put, neither potential 11 seed inspires much confidence, and BYU is a quality six seed. Not only did they just recently give Gonzaga their toughest test in months, but they also own several quality victories, such as wins over San Diego State and Utah State. Although the 6-11 games are always prime upset potential, I'd steer clear of picking one in this region.

I'm a huge fan of seventh-seeded Oregon in the West Region, but I may be an even bigger fan of the seven seed here in the East, the UConn Huskies. The Huskies have had a particularly wacky 2020-21 season, in a year that's been a little wacky for just about everyone. UConn had to deal with not one, but two, COVID pauses during their season, with several games then being postponed or cancelled later on as a result of other team's COVID issues. In addition, star player James Bouknight was not healthy for most of the season, forcing other Huskies to step up and take on larger roles than most expected. As they prepare for the NCAA Tournament, UConn is now at full strength and a very dangerous squad. Maryland is not an ideal matchup in the first round, but the Terrapins went 16-13 on the season and were sub.-500 in the Big Ten. If the Huskies are able to get through there, it sets up an enticing second-round duel with second-seeded Alabama. The Crimson Tide have put together one of their best seasons in school history, but I'm a little wary of any SEC teams this year. One more thing to think about: the last time UConn entered the Tournament as a seven seed, they went on an improbable National Title run that concluded by beating Kentucky. Past NCAA Tournament performances shouldn't dictate how you feel about a team's current iteration, but this seventh-seeded Huskies team could once again be extremely dangerous.

Picking the East

Round One

1 Michigan over 16 Texas Southern (First Four Winner) ... SWAC Champion Texas Southern simply doesn't have the pieces to hang with Michigan, even with the Wolverines not completely 100 percent.

9 St. Bonaventure over 8 LSU ... The Bonnies' smothering defense fuels a tight win over LSU, particularly if guard Kyle Lofton is able to keep up his recent hot streak.

5 Colorado over 12 Georgetown ... Just getting to the NCAA Tournament is a great story for the Hoyas, but McKinley Wright IV and the Buffaloes end their stay quickly.

4 Florida State over 13 UNC Greensboro ... Greensboro simply has no answer for the 1-2 punch of M.J. Walker and Scottie Barnes, as FSU rolls.

6 BYU over 11 Michigan State (First Four Winner) ... Alex Barcello may be BYU's go-to guy, but former Purdue transfer Matt Haarms is the X-factor, giving the Cougars the advantage in the paint.

3 Texas over 14 Abilene Christian ... Underrated potential upset opportunity for Abilene, who moves the ball incredibly well and plays tough defense. The Big 12 Champions still find a way to overcome a tighter game than expected.

7 UConn over 10 Maryland ... Maryland may have an advantage inside, but they have no answer for James Bouknight, who is averaging 19 PPG in the 14 games he's played this season.

2 Alabama over 15 Iona ... Rick Pitino's Gaels may be interesting, but Alabama's high-powered backcourt propels them into the second round.

Round Two

1 Michigan over 9 St. Bonaventure ... Whoever wins the St. Bonaventure/LSU duel will be a tough test for Michigan, but their edge in depth helps them escape.

4 Florida State over 5 Colorado ... Should be a thrilling backcourt duel between these two teams, but Florida State's size advantage helps them move on to the second weekend.

3 Texas over 6 BYU ... Longhorns are playing great basketball at the right time, especially veteran big Jericho Sims, who outplays Matt Haarms and the Cougars.

7 UConn over 2 Alabama ... Should be a high-scoring affair between the Tide and Huskies, but the SEC Champs struggle against a full-strength UConn foe.

Sweet 16

4 Florida State over 1 Michigan ... A full-strength Michigan would be difficult for FSU to overcome but without Livers, the Wolverines simply don't have the offensive punch to get to the Elite Eight.

3 Texas over 7 UConn ... Danny Hurley and Shaka Smart faced off plenty of times while coaching Rhode Island and VCU in the Atlantic 10. Smart out-duels Hurley this time, assuming they can contain James Bouknight.

Elite Eight

4 Florida State over 3 Texas ... The Seminoles may still be a flawed team, but in a wide-open region, their proven pedigree helps them overcome as region champs.

East Region Champ: 4 Florida State Seminoles

2021 Bracket Analysis: West Region

Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga

The first team to enter March Madness undefeated since the 2014-2015 Kentucky Wildcats, Gonzaga locked down the top overall seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Obviously, there are a lot of reasons to like the Bulldogs chances of taking home the National Title. For one, they have built an incredibly strong resume in the non-conference, beating Kansas, West Virginia, and Iowa. In addition, they have three of college basketball's best players in Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Drew Timme. And finally, their path to the Final Four is straightforward. Of the other three top seeds in the bracket, two have serious COVID concerns that are almost definitely going to be disruptive while the other (Iowa) is dealing with an injury to its second-best player in Joe Weiskamp and also has a very tough draw in the second round. With those factors all working in Gonzaga's favor, you'd be very bold to take anyone but the Bulldogs out of the West Region. 

If you happened to read my "Dark Horse Mid-Major NCAA Tournament Teams" post, you know how high I am on Ohio's Jason Preston. Preston is a production machine, putting up a stat-line of 16.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG and 7.2 APG while shooting 53% from the field. In the MAC Championship victory over Buffalo, Preston also showed his defensive prowess by compiling five steals in the 84-69 win. He's the type of player that becomes a household name in March, and the Bobcats have a really nice draw. They go up against fourth-seeded Virginia in the first round, a team that isn't even sure if it will be able to make the trip due to COVID problems. Even if they do, the Cavaliers have not been playing great basketball in the season's second half, and simply don't have the offensive punch to be a second weekend team. Assuming they are able to upset the Cavaliers, Ohio then has a decent shot at possibly meeting up with UC-Santa Barbara, who will be a popular upset pick over Creighton. It's a really nice setup for Preston and the Bobcats, who I'm picking to make the Sweet 16.

Wichita State and Drake were two of the last teams to make the Field of 68, a fairly notable surprise given they are both mid-majors without extremely strong resumes. I really like Wichita's chances to not only defeat Drake in their "First Four" matchup, but also possibly take down USC in Round One. The Shockers will have to deal with future Top 5 NBA Draft selection Evan Mobley, but there's still a lot of reasons to roll with the American Athletic regular season champs. For one, they are a physical enough basketball team to deal with Mobley in the post, and they also rebound very well. They're also led by two extremely capable lead guards in Tyson Etienne and Alterique Gilbert that will be a load for both Drake & 'SC to handle. Lastly, it's a team entering the NCAA Tournament with quite a bit of momentum, even after losing a heartbreaker in the AAC semifinals. Prior to that the Shockers had won eight straight, including a win over then-No. 6 Houston. This isn't a Final Four good Wichita team like the 2013 team, but they are certainly good enough to win a game or two.

Don't be surprised if the Oregon Ducks are a popular pick to not only win in the first round, but possibly even upset Iowa in the second. Oregon suffered through an injury-plagued campaign and still wound up 20-6 overall and 14-4 in the Pac-12. Forward Eugene Omoruyi is the only starter to have played in all 26 games this season, with Chris Duarte, Will Richardson, N'Faly Dante and L.J. Figueroa all missing action. Now at full strength, they should be favored against VCU in Round One, and that potential matchup with the Hawkeyes will be interesting. Iowa obviously has one of the game's best players in Luka Garza, but they are an atrocious defensive team that is dealing with a few injuries. Most notable may be the loss of big Jack Nunge, who unfortunately suffered another season-ending knee injury. His absence leaves them with a dearth of size, which Oregon or others could definitely exploit.

Speaking of Iowa, their first round game against 15-seed Grand Canyon won't exactly be a cakewalk. The Antelopes won the WAC after putting together a 9-3 regular season in the conference. They are coached by Bryce Drew, a guy with his own track record of March Madness success, and it's also a team that plays really strong defense. Whether they have the offensive skills necessary to hang with the Hawkeyes for an entire 40 minutes is another story, but they could give Iowa a tough opener. Grand Canyon isn't playing as great of basketball as they were over the season's first half so picking a massive upset here would be unwise, but it might have the best chances of any 2-15 matchup although that Houston-Cleveland State game in the Midwest Region may be worth monitoring.

Picking the West

Round One

1 Gonzaga over 16 Applachian State (First Four Winner) ... The top overall seed this year isn't losing to a 16 seed, as the Bulldogs roll.

8 Oklahoma over 9 Missouri ... The Sooners are not a typical eight seed, battling in the brutal Big 12 all season long. Savvy veteran guard Austin Reaves helps them overcome a Missouri team that has struggled down the stretch.

12 UC-Santa Barbara over 5 Creighton ... Big West Champion UCSB takes advantage over a Creighton squad that has dealt with some drama as of late following insensitive comments made by head coach Greg McDermott.

13 Ohio over 4 Virginia ... Virginia isn't even sure if they are going to be able to make it to Indiana and even if they do, they have no answer for Jason Preston.

11 Wichita State (First Four Winner) over 6 USC ... The Shockers shut down Evan Mobley defensively, while Etienne and Gilbert propel them on offense.

3 Kansas over 14 Eastern Washington ... Another team dealing with COVID problems, the Jayhawks are able to overcome the feisty Big Sky Champs.

7 Oregon over 10 VCU ... Oregon at full strength ends up being too much for VCU and Mike Rhoades, particularly if Chris Duarte can get things going after a poor showing in the Pac-12 Tournament.

2 Iowa over 15 Grand Canyon ... The Antelopes simply don't have the offense to keep up with Luka Garza and Joe Weiskamp.

Round Two

1 Gonzaga over 8 Oklahoma ... Oklahoma will not be an easy second round test for Gonzaga, but the trio of Suggs, Kispert and Timme is too much for them to overcome.

13 Ohio over 12 UC-Santa Barbara ... Jason Preston again should have a big day for the MAC Champion Bobcats, who make their first Sweet 16 since 2012.

3 Kansas over 11 Wichita State ... Wichita's upset in Round One sets up this inter-Kansas showdown, but the Jayhawks' depth helps them come out on top.

7 Oregon over 2 Iowa ... Even with Garza, Oregon may have an advantage in the paint, and the Hawkeyes' offensive streakiness worries me.

Sweet 16

1 Gonzaga over 13 Ohio ... Any hopes of Ohio continuing their Cinderella run ends in the Sweet 16 when they run into the buzzsaw that is 2021 Gonzaga.

3 Kansas over 7 Oregon ... This is a testament to Bill Self and this Kansas program. Even with all their questions right now, I still like them to make the Elite Eight.

Elite Eight

1 Gonzaga over 3 Kansas ... The Jayhawks have a chance for vengeance after losing to Gonzaga earlier in the season. They'll play the Bulldogs tougher this time, but won't be able to spring the upset.

West Region Champion: 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs

2021 Big Ten Tournament Prediction

Andre Curbelo, Illinois

The Big Ten is as loaded as it has ever been in recent memory. As many as four teams could find themselves on the 1-2 seed line from the league, with 10-11 teams in serious contention for an NCAA Tournament bid. This level of competitiveness and balance should make the Big Ten Tournament particularly important in the grand scheme of the 2021 college basketball season. I break down my predictions for this year's edition, which returns after a one-year hiatus.

First Round (Wed., March 10th)

12 Northwestern Wildcats over 

13 Minnesota Golden Gophers

Once a Top 25 team with victories over Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio State on their resume, Minnesota's 2020-21 season has completely derailed. The Gophers have lost seven straight games and enter the Big Ten Tournament without two crucial pieces, wing Gabe Kalscheur and big man Liam Robbins. There's little reason to believe they can turn it around against a Northwestern club who beat them less than two weeks ago. 

11 Penn State Nittany Lions over

14 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Even though they are just 10-13 overall, Penn State is not your typical 11 seed in the league. The Nittany Lions have proven themselves as a disciplined, tough basketball team with a multitude of wings who can score. They're a tough opening round matchup for a Nebraska team who may be playing better, but is still the worst in the conference.

Second Round (Thurs., March 11th)

9 Michigan State Spartans over

8 Maryland Terrapins

Stop me if you've heard this before: a Tom Izzo-coached team playing their best basketball at the right time in March. The suddenly scorching hot Spartans are coming off a massive win over Michigan that likely secured their NCAA Tournament bid, while Maryland is fresh off a bad loss to Penn State in a game they led most of the way.

5 Ohio State Buckeyes over

12 Northwestern Wildcats

Any hopes of a dark horse run by Northwestern will end on Day Two against Ohio State. The Buckeyes simply have too many offensive weapons for the Wildcats to hang around, from pure scorer Duane Washington Jr. to craft forward E.J. Liddell.

7 Rutgers Scarlet Knights over

10 Indiana Hoosiers

Could this be Archie Miller's last stand at Indiana? The fourth-year head coach is firmly on the hot seat as his Hoosiers have dropped to below .500 and enter postseason play with no momentum. Rutgers isn't exactly on fire either, but their veteran group of guards should be enough to overwhelm Miller and the Hoosiers.

11 Penn State Nittany Lions over

6 Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin enters the Big Ten Tournament losers of five of their last six games. Granted, all those losses have come against ranked foes, but the Badgers have really struggled to find any offensive rhythm over the last several weeks. They'll still be a tough out, but PSU has the momentum advantage, and they've already taken down the Badgers earlier on the season.

Quarterfinals (Fri., March 12th)

1 Michigan Wolverines over

9 Michigan State Spartans

Could Michigan State upset their arch-rivals twice in as many weeks? Perhaps, but I feel confident Juwan Howard will have his Wolverine team ready to go and focused here. Michigan still retains a major advantage in the post with Hunter Dickinson, assuming he is able to stay out of foul trouble.

4 Purdue Boilermakers over

5 Ohio State Buckeyes

Purdue swept the season series against Ohio State on the year and should keep on rolling here. Since mid-January, the Boilermakers have been playing as good basketball as anybody in the league, including winning six of their last seven. The combination of big men Trevion Williams and gigantic Zach Edey will be too much for OSU to handle over forty minutes.

2 Illinois Fighting Illini over

7 Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers may have the type of physical defense necessary to stymie this Illinois team, but it would be foolish to pick against the Illini at this point. Since January 16th, they've lost just one Big Ten game, a nine-point loss to a flaming hot Michigan State team. They'll still have plenty of motivations for this one as they look to secure a No. 1 seed.

3 Iowa Hawkeyes over

11 Penn State Nittany Lions

While I considered picking another upset by the Nittany Lions in the quarterfinals, they simply have no answer for likely National Player of the Year Luka Garza. An interesting development to watch will be the health of Iowa wing Joe Wieskamp, who went down with injury against Wisconsin. Wieskamp is listed as day-to-day and could be ready by Friday, but you wonder whether the Hawkeyes will risk their second-best scorer so early.

Semifinals (Sat., March 13th)

1 Michigan Wolverines over

4 Purdue Boilermakers

Michigan's skid entering the Big Ten Tournament should enable a Purdue upset to be a real possibility here, but I'm still sticking with the Wolverines. Their size and versatility on the wings is a major advantage, while Dickinson and veteran Austin Davis should be enough down low to contain Purdue's set of bigs.

2 Illinois Fighting Illini over

3 Iowa Hawkeyes

Get ready for plenty of offense when these two square off. Both teams feature two of the best scorers anywhere in the country in Ayo Dosunmu and Garza, and both teams also average over 80 PPG. The Illini's edge in momentum and questions about Wieskamp's health make Illinois the pick here.

Big Ten Championship (Sun., March 14th)

2 Illinois Fighting Illini over

1 Michigan Wolverines

With all due respect to Iowa, Purdue and Ohio State, there is little question that the top two teams in the Big Ten are Illinois and Michigan. It only feels right that they should collide in the Big Ten Championship, particularly with the debate around the regular season Big Ten Title happening at the moment. To sum it up: Michigan's lengthy COVID pause forced them to play three less league games than the Illini. That resulted in an odd scenario where Illinois had one more loss but still technically holds a half-game lead in the standings. The conference awarded UM with the league title, which may provide the extra motivation Illinois needs to take down the Wolverines, a team they beat by 23 just a week ago.

Big Ten Champion: Illinois Fighting Illini

While their season got off to a slower start than some had hoped, Illinois has been playing better than every team in the country not named Gonzaga or Baylor. They check off just about every box you could be looking for in a National Title contender, with a nice blend of experience and youth in the backcourt, an elite big man (Kofi Cockburn) and plenty of depth. It's been a decade and a half since the 2005 Fighting Illini went to the National Championship Game and came up short against UNC. This team has the talent to do much the same, except finishing the job this time around.

Who Should Minnesota Hire As Their Next Head Basketball Coach?

Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

After nearly a decade in charge in Minneapolis, it appears that the Richard Pitino era may soon be coming to an end. A 2020-21 season that began with so much promise has floundered, with the Gophers losing five straight, punctuated by embarrassing defeats to Big Ten bottom-feeders Northwestern and Nebraska last week. Even though athletic director Mark Coyle has to deal with Pitino's relatively hefty 1.75 million dollar buyout, I can't imagine a scenario in which Pitino is the head basketball coach next fall. As someone who has been very displeased with the Pitino tenure for awhile now, evidenced by this post over two years ago, I'm excited for the future and intrigued about what Coyle's next move will be. 

Assuming the Gophers do officially move on, I've compiled a list of ten coaches who I would want to take over the program. I've decided to separate these coaches into three tiers:

• Tier 1: Hires that are probably unrealistic, but ones that I would consider true home-run hires. These hires are almost surely never going to happen but hey, a fan can dream, right?
• Tier 2: Hires that I believe would be perfect for the role, and actually have a good chance of happening. While I may not classify them as home-run hires, they would still be terrific moves and I'd be thrilled with any of them running the program.
• Tier 3: Hires that I wouldn't be very thrilled about, but at the very least they're a step in the right direction post-Pitino. 

Tier 1

John Beilein, former Michigan HC

Currently unemployed in the coaching profession, John Beilein has become a popular name amongst programs looking to move on from their respective head coaches. He's certainly qualified for any power conference job; Beilein climbed the ladder in the Division I ranks and eventually landed at Michigan, where he won 278 games and played for the National Championship twice. Beilein is now 68 years old, but I still believe that he wants to coach. A return to the Big Ten would be perfect, but I'm just doubtful that Beilein would take the Gopher job. He has no obvious ties to the program or the state of Minnesota and frankly, he could probably land a bigger job if he wanted to. It remains a nice little pipe dream, but one I don't think will actually come to fruition.

Kelvin Sampson, Houston HC

There are several reasons why this almost definitely will not happen. For one, Kelvin Sampson's last job in the Big Ten was at Indiana, a program that was dead in the water following NCAA violations he oversaw. Secondly, Sampson is another guy without any obvious ties to Minnesota and he seems pretty content at the moment with Houston. However, I still think this would be a pretty awesome hire for one obvious reason: the dude wins. Everywhere Sampson has gone he has had success, whether it be at Washington State, Oklahoma, Indiana or now Houston. Just look at what the UH basketball program has become since he took over. A middle-of-the-pack American Athletic program has suddenly become the conference's powerhouse and a fixture in Top 25 polls. Of course, with winning off-the-court problems seem to follow him at just about every stop as Sampson has been hit with serious NCAA violations on numerous occasions. Some fans might still be willing to take the leap, but Coyle almost certainly won't, even if Sampson had interest.

Kevin Willard, Seton Hall HC

Casual college basketball fans might not know much about Seton Hall's Kevin Willard, but he's become somewhat of a hot commodity. Willard got his start in the college coaching ranks under Rick Pitino at Louisville, before an impressive run as head man at Iona. Since taking over at Seton Hall, he's turned the Pirates into one of the most consistent programs anywhere in college basketball. They are on the cusp of making their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance (would've made it in '19-'20 if it hadn't been cancelled) and have finished .500 or better each year in the Big East during that span. Willard is clearly in demand but he's waiting for the right job, as he turned down an offer from Virginia Tech when they were looking to replace Buzz Williams. I think he'd be a truly cold-blooded get for Mark Coyle, but there's little reason to believe that would actually happen. He has no ties to the Midwest and is an East Coast guy through and through. It's also difficult to say that Minnesota is a much better gig than Seton Hall at this point, even with the basketball talent inside the state currently.

Tier 2

Brian Dutcher, San Diego State HC

Coyle will undoubtedly swing at some big names for the job but I truly believe his first call should be to Brian Dutcher at San Diego State. Dutcher checks just about every box you could want in a Gopher head coach candidate. He's waited his turn in the coaching world, spending nearly three decades as an assistant and associate head coach at Michigan and SDSU before eventually landing a head coaching job. Since then, he's gone 87-30 with the Aztecs, and had potentially the best team in program history last season before March Madness was cancelled. Dutcher also has a connection to the university; his dad, Jim, was head coach at Minnesota for over a decade and Brian is a Gopher alum. In addition, Dutcher makes a ton of sense financially. He just signed an extension that raised his buyout to 6.9 million dollars, but it would only cost 1 million if the University of Minnesota were to hire him. San Diego State AD John David Wicker has even acknowledged the fact that Minnesota is an important place to Dutcher stating, "It means so much to him and his family. I feel comfortable if that's something he really wanted to do." This hire makes so much sense, I almost feel like it won't happen.

Eric Musselman, Arkansas HC

A Minneapolis native whose dad also happens to be a former Gopher head coach, Eric Musselman certainly makes a lot of sense. Musselman has had a fascinating career path overall, getting into coaching with a semi-pro team before multiple stops in the NBA, in college, and internationally. In 2015 he was hired at Nevada and went to the NCAA Tournament three times in four seasons, making the Sweet 16 in 2017-2018. It eventually landed him at Arkansas, where he is the favorite for SEC Coach of the Year, as the Razorbacks are 18-5 overall and 10-4 in the league. In a vacuum, an Arkansas coach jumping to Minnesota might be slightly unrealistic, but Musselman's ties to the state are obvious and a major selling point. Apparently Musselman also has a relationship with head football coach P.J. Fleck, making this hire an even greater possibility.

Craig Smith, Utah State HC

Another Minnesota native, Craig Smith has done an excellent job in his post at Utah State since 2018. He led the Aggies to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011 in his debut campaign, and was well on their way to another one last year. The 2020-21 Utah State squad is currently on the cusp of Tournament consideration as an at-large bid, while sitting near the top of the Mountain West standings. Prior to his time in Logan, Smith was head man at Mayville State and South Dakota, where he had plenty of success. The vast majority of his coaching stops have been in the Midwest so a return to the region could be in the cards. The only thing that could stand in the way is the fancy new extension he just signed, a six-year deal that runs through 2025-26. His buyout is 25 percent of whatever is still remaining in his base salary if he chooses to leave. That's still money Minnesota could pay, particularly for a highly qualified head coach with one of the best winning percentages in Mountain West history.

Porter Moser, Loyola-Chicago HC

Porter Moser's stock has exploded since leading Loyola-Chicago on an improbable Final Four in 2018, and it seems likely the 52-year old will eventually take the jump somewhere else. Moser's career path has also been interesting, including past head coaching gigs at Arkansas-Little Rock and Illinois State. Both jobs he struggled at, but there's no denying the job he's done at Loyola. After some initial struggles in the Horizon League, the program has been very consistent since joining the Missouri Valley. In addition to that Final Four run, the Ramblers have won at least 20 games five times and won the 2015 College Basketball Invitational. Moser does not have any Minnesota ties, but he has coached nearly his entire career in the Midwest and is a native of northern Illinois. For the Gophers, Moser would bring a rising name in the coaching industry who is known as a superb recruiter, especially in the Chicago area.

Tier 3

Niko Medved, Colorado State HC

Medved is the final of the so-called "Mountain West Trio" of coaches with Minnesota ties currently having success out west. Medved is a Minnesota alum and a native of the state whose first head coaching job was at Macalester College in St. Paul. From then on he has climbed the coaching ladder with head coaching stops at Furman, Drake and Colorado State, as well as a brief stint as a Gopher assistant. Medved certainly checks boxes as a guy who understands the state and the program, and he has Colorado State in the mix for NCAA Tournament contention this year. My primary concern with Medved is that he simply has not been a head coach for very long. While he's been successful at all three of his stops, he's only been a head man since 2013 and is just 47. He's considered a rising "up and comer" but so was Pitino, which always makes me skeptical. Compared to others on this list, that lack of experience is notable.

Tim Miles, former Nebraska HC

Yet another candidate with strong Midwest ties, Tim Miles was the head coach at Nebraska from 2012-2019. It's hard to gauge Miles and his tenure in Lincoln. On one hand, Nebraska is a very difficult place to win and will always be a football school, yet he made one Tournament appearance and appeared in two NITs. On the other, he was 116-114 overall and 52-76 in Big Ten action, with the program stalling over his final few seasons. Still, Miles will get an opportunity again somewhere, and Minnesota does make some sense. He's coached in Minnesota before at Southwest Minnesota State and obviously knows the Big Ten as a whole. Still, Miles has simply not won enough for me to get super excited about him potentially landing in the Twin Cities. His career win percentage is .544 and even back at Colorado State, the school that got him a power conference gig, he was sub-.500. He seems like a great guy and he should get another chance somewhere, but I don't think Minnesota is the right answer.

Darian DeVries, Drake HC

Drake's hot start to the 2020-21 season has elevated the name of Darian DeVries, who is in his third season in Des Moines. So far with the Bulldogs, DeVries has gone 68-27 overall and looks like he may get them to their first NCAA Tournament since 2008. Prior to his time with Drake, DeVries was a longtime assistant at Creighton, coaching under both Dana Altman and Greg McDermott. It's definitely a solid resume but again, DeVries simply doesn't have a ton of experience as head coach. Drake is his only head coaching experience at any level and needless to say, the Big Ten is a little bit of a jump from the Missouri Valley. I do think he has the chance to be a highly successful head coach considering he is just 45, but I'd like someone with more valuable coaching experience at this point.

Other Names I'm Watching

T.J. Otzelberger, UNLV Head Coach 

Matt McMahon, Murray State Head Coach

Dane Fife, Michigan State Assistant

Dennis Gates, Cleveland State Head Coach

Luke Murray, Louisville Assistant

Travis Steele, Xavier Head Coach

Dana Ford, Missouri State Head Coach

Ryan Pedon, Ohio State Assistant