By: Ella Fowler, Kelsey Bruzek, Tyler Elzholz, and Jaiden Basinger
March 16, 2021
One year ago, March Madness was cancelled due to the current pandemic. College basketball fans have long-awaited the return of tournament play, and this year’s bracket will be very exciting.
We broke some of the teams up into three categories: Favorites, Second-Tier Favorites, and Sleepers.
Out of 64+ teams, there are definitely a group of teams that outshine the rest, Gonzaga and Baylor.
*Favorites*
Gonzaga has a very impressive record at 26-0. To add to their accomplishments, they are the number one seeded team and the leading scoring team in the nation at 92.9 points per game. They are also winning games by an average of 23.5 points per game. Their offense is led by George Kispert at 19.2 points per game and Drew Timme at 18.7 points per game. This team is the favorite to cut down the nets in early April.
With Baylor being the other favorite, they are the number one seed in the South Region. They are also the Big 12 champions. Baylor’s offense is second in points per game, 85.3, and also leads the nation in 3-point percentage. Jared Butler (17.2) and MaCio Teague (16.1) are the leading scorers for the Bears.
*Second-Tier Favorites*
Michigan is at the top of the list for the “next group” and are the seeded number one in the East region. After dropping three recent games, Michigan is still dangerous on both ends of the floor. They are led by coach Juwan Howard, who many say could be the National Coach of the Year. The leading scorers for the Wolverines are Freshman Center Hunter Dickinson (14.3) and Senior Forward Isaiah Livers (13.7).
Illinois is number two in the Big Ten and the final number one seed (in the Midwest Region). They are led by Center Kofi Cockburn who is arguably the best big man in the nation averaging 17.3 ppg and 9.6 rpg (rebounds per game). They also have one of the best guards in college basketball in Ayo Dosunmu, 20.9 ppg and 5.2 apg (assists per game).
Alabama is the number two seed in the East region. They secured three wins to close out the year and are top-five in 3-point shooting. Many are worried about Alabama’s defense this year, but with their high-tempo offense, it is easy for teams to put up a lot of points against them. They are led by Jaden Shackleford (14.4 ppg) and John Petty Jr. (12.8 ppg).
Iowa had a good year and is seeded second in the West Region. They closed out the year with three straight wins (before the B1G tourney) and have hit triple digits four times this season. This team is very capable of running up a scoreboard. The main pieces to this team are Senior Center Luka Garza, who has been phenomenal this year and averages 23.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 1.6 bpg (blocks per game). They are also led by Joe Wieskamp who averages 15.0 ppg.
With Ohio State ending their regular season with three straight losses, many people are concerned about what the Buckeyes can do in the tournament, but they are the second seed in the South Region. Leading scorers for the Buckeyes are E.J. Liddell (16 ppg) and Duane Washington (15.3 ppg). Hopefully, they can find their groove so they do not turn into an early-upset.
*Sleepers*
Teams who have great sleeper potential are Oklahoma State and Loyola of Chicago.
Oklahoma State is the four-seed in the Midwest Region and have a great chance at winning it all this year. With the potential first-round pick in this year’s NBA draft, the Cowboys’ offense is led by Freshman Cade Cunningham. On the season, Cunningham averages 20.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.6 ast, and is shooting 45.4 percent on the year. The Cowboys have beaten Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas Tech, and West Virginia. They look to make a nice run as a potential sleeper.
Do not count out Loyola of Chicago, either. Three years ago, they had an amazing, Final Four run led by Sister Jean, who is now 101-years-old. After beating the one seed (Virginia), they eventually carried all the momentum until losing in the Final Four to Michigan. The Ramblers have not forgotten that moment and look to make a deep run this year. The Ramblers’ leading scorer is Cameron Krutwig, who was a key player in that 2018-run. He averages 15.0 ppg and 6.7 rpg.
Powerhouse, blue-blood programs Duke and Kentucky will not be a part of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. This will be the first time that both teams will not make an appearance since 1976.
Due to the pandemic, March Madness will be played solely in the state of Indiana. Ironically enough, the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller due to Indiana not making the tournament for four years straight.
We are just days away from the first four scheduled games that will take place on Thursday, March 18 airing on TruTV and TBS. Get your picks in before it is too late! The schedule listed below:
5:10 p.m. Texas Southern vs. Mount St. Mary’s – TruTV
6:27 p.m. Drake vs. Wichita State – TBS
8:40 p.m. Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State – TruTV
9:57 p.m. UCLA vs. Michigan State – TBS
The wait is finally over. March Madness is back and better than ever!
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 