Basketball fans across the country are getting closer and closer to the first game of the NCAA Tournament in almost two years. After the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many probably did not expect to reach this point a year later. But the time has come for the madness of March and with that the time has come to make some choices.
The field of 68 teams that will participate in the NCAA Tournament 2021 was announced on Selection Sunday so that we can know who the Big Dance will really be. It also means that print support is gone, which inevitably means that it is that time of year when you gather all your knowledge to try to win your media set. So, on that front, we have you covered.
Our team of experts accompanied all of these teams throughout the grinding season. Eight of our best and brightest took all of that knowledge and put it on their supports with a little explainer on why they are choosing the champions they are. We are not going to tell you how to fill in your bracket, but simply offer some of the best advice out there. Remember to use all the resources at your disposal when making these critical choices in your support pools.
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And if you want an even greater advantage in individual sets of the bracket, be sure to check the opening lines and spreads for each of the first 32 matches. Then go to SportsLine for in-depth analysis and game choices throughout the week.
March Madness is here and you can also find support in almost any way possible on the device of your choice, which can help you prepare for all of our support games as well. The expanded coverage continues throughout the week on CBSSports.com and CBS Sports HQ, our free news streaming service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which can be watched on any streaming device.
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Gary Parrish, college basketball expert
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Expected champion: Gonzaga
I had Gonzaga ranked No. 1 on my CBS Sports Top 25 and 1 literally every day since last March, just days after the 2020 NCAA Tournament was abruptly canceled because of the global pandemic COVID-19. At different times this season, readers insisted that I should change Baylor to No. 1 or Michigan to No. 1. But I never wavered.
And there is absolutely no reason for me to leave the Zags right now. They are No. 1 in offensive efficiency, No. 10 in defensive efficiency and No. 4 in pace. They’re great at both ends – and they play really, really fast. It is difficult for opponents to deal with. They also have two future NBA Draft lottery choices in Jalen Suggs and Corey Kispert. This is also difficult for opponents. So, the end result is simple: the Zags are legitimate and valuable favorites to win this event. They will be the first unbeaten national champion since Indiana in 1976.
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Matt Norlander, senior college basketball writer
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Expected champion: Illinois
I am feeling the pressure here. I was the only 2019 expert on CBSSports.com to choose Virginia to win it all. Repeating that kind of guessing power is a lot of pressure on a guy. So here’s my problem: this key is likely to offer some wild surprises in the first three rounds. This is a unique NCAA tournament, held in one location, still going on in the middle of a pandemic. But I’m going with three No. 1 seed and one No. 3 seed, because I kept it for more than two months, now that the teams projected on line No. 1 feel a cut above the rest. I cannot and will not force myself to harvest all four No. 1 seeds, so I’m taking the one that is not No. 1 seed (Texas) that has as much talent as any other 1.
And in the title game, I go with the two best teams in the sport towards Big Dance. Gonzaga has the best attack. Illinois is the best combination of offensive acumen and defensive strength. Plenty of stars, with big ones, wings and guards that could make for an epic game title. To ask Gonzaga to win six more games and make history is to ask a lot. I would love to see that. First since 1976. But I’m going to choose Illinois, which has been the best college basketball team for the past three weeks. In doing so, the program makes up for the 2005 defeat for UNC – and earns its first national title in the school’s history. Ayo Dosunmu and his masked mojo become an all-time legend when he wins the Final Four MOP.
Jerry Palm, specialist in Bracketology
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Expected champion: Gonzaga
Finally, it is Gonzaga’s turn. Mark Few has the best team he had in Spokane and they are prepared to race for the title. A final with Illini would be an explosion to watch with all the talent on the ground. And there is a flavor of football in those choices. Alabama and Ohio State are also in the Final Four, as are almost every year in football.
Kyle Boone, college basketball writer
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Expected champion: Gonzaga
What’s not to like these Gonzaga Bulldogs? Two talents chosen in the lottery: Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs. A hyper-efficient bucket at Drew Timme. Balance and great depth in all positions. They have it all. They led the country this season by scoring margin and are only the 20th team to enter the NCAA Tournament with an immaculate record. I think they are able to keep this thing going until the end, without counting the loss column. It’s a little mealy, to be sure, but this is the best team in the game.
As for a sleeper? How about Arkansas in Final Four. He opened season 13-5 in general and in the middle of the squad in the SEC. Then he won nine in a row, finishing second in the SEC and winning third place. So, without a doubt, this team has the assets. I have long been an advocate of what this team is capable of, so it’s me putting my money where my mouth is. It won’t be easy – this is the same region with the No. 1 Baylor and No. 2 Ohio State seed – but between Moses Moody, JD Notae and Justin Smith this team has a lot of talent and length to accomplish what it hasn’t had since 1995: Make one Final Four. Woo Pig, baby.
David Cobb, college basketball writer
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Predicted champion: Alabama
Crimson Tide put aside the notion that they are unsuitable for a single elimination tournament by capturing the SEC Tournament crown while throwing just 29.7% of the 3-point gap in their last two games of the event. So, what will happen if Alabama starts shooting better than 35% beyond the hoop? It could happen, and if it does, this team’s unique offensive style can take you into history. As for Rutgers doing Elite Eight? The Scarlet Knights lost their presence last season because of the pandemic, but finally managed to return to Big Dance for the first time since 1991. With a favorable draw that features an opening game against a Clemson team that looked bad at the ACC Tournament, the Scarlet Knights will have a great chance to make noise. After going through the Big Ten challenge, facing a brave Houston team in the second round will not intimidate that team.
Chip Patterson, college basketball writer
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Expected champion: Alabama
Crimson Tide plays at a relentless pace, shoot at many trios and defend at an elite level. In an NCAA tournament that can sometimes be mentally exhausting due to strict protocol and bubbles in Indiana, the last opponent you want to face is Alabama. Tide wants to run, get to his face in defense and can change the luck of a game in three minutes or less if he gets hot in the 3-point range or forces a few quick turns. It’s a blue collar team that welcomes the grind, and that mindset will pay off during the ups and downs of an unprecedented NCAA tournament.
Dennis Dodd, senior writer
Expected champion: Gonzaga
Sometimes it is better not to think about things too much. The only team that can defeat Gonzaga is … Gonzaga. They have it all – court, experience, coaching. And 26-0 is also not bad. It seems that the Zags will not have much resistance until the final of the Western Region, against Iowa. Luka Garza will have to be counted, as well as the irritating Joe Weiskamp. But who am I to choose against the big favorite? Gonzaga to win everything. Isaiah Livers’ injury causes Michigan to worry earlier about the situation in an eastern belt. This means that if I were picking up a team to catch Gonzaga, I would pick up three Texas seeds in an Eastern Regional turnaround; in a national semifinal. The horns are at the height of Cinderella 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, analyst at CBS Sports HQ
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Expected champion: Iowa
The best state in the United States, Iowa, will be home to this year’s national champion! Why is it the best state? Because they care about two things: sports and beer (two things that I also love). The Hawkeyes boast the National Player of the Year in Luka Garza and will be “thrilled” to be out of the challenge that is the Big Ten Conference. They have experienced guards, they can shoot all three and their defense has clearly improved. They will obviously see Gonzaga at Elite Eight to go to Final Four. I guarantee that any place they play will be “packed” with fans from Iowa and that the difference will be between 3-4 points, favoring the Zags. Gonzaga won the previous meeting of these two teams by 99-88 in December. I’ll take a chance on that game and win it, the rest is a bed of roses! Go Hawkeyes!
Take each choice, each move, each turn and fill in your key with our help! Visit SportsLine now to see which teams will make and break your key and who’s going to cut the nets, all from the model that hit 15 out of 26 double-digit turns in the last four tournaments!