Basketball fans across the country are still getting just as close to the first NCAA tournament in nearly two years. After the NCAA tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many probably did not expect to reach this point even a year later. But the time has come for the madness of March and with that comes the time to make a choice.
The field of 68 teams that will participate in the NCAA Tournament in 2021 was announced on Selection Sunday so we know who the Big Dance will actually be. It also means that the printable bracket is no more, which inevitably means it’s the time of year you gather all your knowledge to try and win your hook pool. So up front, we covered you.
Our team of experts followed all of these teams during the grinding season. Eight of our best and brightest have taken all the notice and put it in their brackets with a little explanation as to why they choose the champions they are. We will not tell you how to fill in your bracket, but rather the best advice out there. Remember to use every resource at your disposal when making these critical choices in your hook pools.
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And if you want an even bigger advantage on individual games of the bracket, then look at the opening lines and distributions for each of the first 32 games. Then go to SportsLine for an in-depth analysis and games throughout the week.
March Madness is here, and you can find the bracket in just about every possible way on your device of choice, which can also help you prepare for all our Bracket Games. The extensive coverage continues throughout the week on CBSSports.com and CBS Sports HQ, our free 24/7 news streaming service that can be viewed on any streaming device.
Itching for more analysis of the college hoops? Listen below and subscribe to the Eye on College Basketball podcast, where we take you outside the hardwood with insider information and instant feedback, including our best bets in the opening round below.
Gary Parrish, College Basketball Insider
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Predicted champion: Gonzaga
I have had Gonzaga literally number 1 on my CBS Sports Top 25 and 1 every day since March last year, a few days after the NCAA Tournament was abruptly canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. At various times during this season, readers have insisted that I take Baylor to no. 1 of Michigan to no. 1 had to switch. But I never wavered.
And there is absolutely no reason for me to pull off the Zags now. They are number 1 in offensive efficiency, number 10 in defensive efficiency and no. 4 in tempo. So they’re great on both sides – and they play really fast. It’s hard for opponents to handle. They also have two future NBA draft lotteries in Jalen Suggs and Corey Kispert. It is also difficult to deal with opponents. The bottom line is therefore simple: the Zags are legitimate and a worthy favorite to win this event. They will be the first unbeaten national champion since Indiana in 1976.
The Big Dance begins in less than 48 hours. Fill in your bracket now to win a brand new Nissan Rogue and a college basketball dream trip. Get in action today.
Matt Norlander, senior basketball writer for universities
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Predicted champion: Illinois
I feel the pressure here. I was the only expert in 2019 at CBSSports.com who chose Virginia to win it all. It’s a lot of pressure on a man to repeat this kind of divining power. So here’s my thing: this bracket will probably provide wild upset in the first three rounds. This is a unique NCAA tournament, held in one place, still taking place in the midst of a pandemic. But I go with three number 1 seeds and one no. 3, because I’ve been thinking for two months now that the teams projected on the number 1 line feel a cut above the rest. I can not and do not want to have myself pick all four number 1 seeds, so I take the one that is not a No. 1 seed (Texas) that has as much talent as any other 1.
And in the title race, I go to the Big Dance with the two best teams in the sport. Gonzaga has the best offense. Illinois is the best combination of offensive skill and defensive strength. Stars in abundance, with big, wings and guards that can make an epic title game. Asking Gonzaga to win six more games and make history requires a lot. I would like to see it. First since ’76. But I take Illinois, which has been the best team in college basketball for the past three weeks. In doing so, the program compensated for the loss to UNC in 2005 – and achieved its first national title in school history. Ayo Dosunmu and his masked mojo become a legend of all time when he wins Final Four MOP.
Jerry Palm, expert in bracketology
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Predicted champion: Gonzaga
It’s finally Gonzaga’s time. Mark Few has the best team he has had in Spokane, and they are prepared for the title. A final with the Illini will be an explosion to watch with all the talent on the floor. And there is a football flavor to this choice. Alabama and Ohio State are also in the Final Four, just like every year in football.
Kyle Boone, College Basketball Writer
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Predicted champion: Gonzaga
What do you dislike about these Gonzaga Bulldogs? Two talents for lotteries in Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs. A hyper-effective bucket in Drew Timme. Balance and great depth at each position. They have everything. They have led the country by a points margin this season and are just the 20th team to enter the NCAA Tournament with an impeccable record. I think they have the good fortune to roll this thing to the end without voting in the loss column. It’s probably a bit chalky, but it’s the best team in the game.
As for a sleeper? How about Arkansas in the Final Four? It opened the season 13-5 and in the middle of the series in the SEC. It then won nine in a row, finishing second in the SEC and earning a No. 3 seed. So this team undoubtedly has the goods. I have long been a proponent of what this team is capable of, so I put my money on my mouth. It will not be easy – it is the same region with Baylor no. 1 and Ohio State no. 2, but between Moses Moody, JD Notae and Justin Smith, this team has as much talent and length to achieve as he had. ‘t since 1995: Make a Final Four. Woo Pig, baby.
David Cobb, College Basketball Writer
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Predicted champion: Alabama
The Crimson Tide have the idea that they are unfit for a single elimination tournament, based on winning the SEC tournament crown while shooting just 29.7% of the 3-point series in their last two games of the event. has. What happens then if Alabama starts shooting better than 35% from outside the arc? It can happen, and if it does, the group’s unique offensive style can carry it back in history. As for Rutgers making the Elite Eight? The Scarlet Knights were robbed of an appearance last season due to the pandemic, but eventually returned to the Big Dance for the first time since 1991. With a favorable draw with an opening game against a Clemson team that looked bad in the ACC Tournament, the Scarlet Knights have a great chance to make some noise. After navigating the Big Ten glove, the group will not face a grim Houston team in the second round.
Chip Patterson, College Basketball Writer
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Predicted champion: Alabama
The Crimson Tide plays at a relentless pace, scoring a bunch of tries and defending at an elite level. In an NCAA tournament that can be mentally exhausting at times due to the strict protocol and bubbling existence in Indiana, Alabama is the last opponent you want to face. The Tide wants to run, stand up to the defense and can change the fate of a match in three minutes or less if it gets hot from the 3-point range or forces some quick turnovers. This is a blue-collar team that welcomes the grind, and the mentality will bear fruit during the ups and downs of an unprecedented NCAA tournament.
Dennis Dodd, senior writer
Predicted champion: Gonzaga
Sometimes it’s best not to overthink things. The only team that can beat Gonzaga is … Gonzaga. They have everything – backfield, experience, coaching. And 26-0 is not bad either. It looks like the Zags will not get much back pressure before the West Regional final against Iowa. Luka Garza must be taken into account as well as the troublesome Joe Weiskamp. But who am I to choose against the overwhelming favorite? Gonzaga to win everything. Isaiah Livers’ injury caused Michigan to upset meat early in a loaded eastern hook. This means that if I were to take one team to get Gonzaga, I would take the three-seed Texas in an upset from the Eastern region; in a national semifinal. The Horns are at a Cinderella high after winning the Big 12 tournament. This is the team that Shaka Smart has been trying to build for six years.
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Tim Doyle, Chief Analyst at CBS Sports
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Predicted champion: Iowa
The best state in the United States, Iowa, is home to this year’s national champion! Why is it the best state? Because they care about two things: sports and beer (two things I also love). The Hawkeyes boast National Player of the Year in Luka Garza and they will be “excited” to get out of the glove of the Big Ten conference. They have experienced guards, can shoot the three and their defense has clearly improved. They will obviously see Gonzaga in the Elite Eight to go to the Final Four. I guarantee that every place they play will have a jam-packed Iowa fans and that the spread will be between 3-4 points and benefit the Zags. Gonzaga won the previous meeting of these two teams 99-88 in December. I will risk my chance in that match and win that match, the rest is smooth! Go Hawkeyes!
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