March Madness Bracket 2021: Upset Predictions, Final Four Pick in Midwest Region

NCAA Tournament Bracket Pix: Midwest Region

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Only Illinois fans could possibly pick up something like this, but if the Illini had reached the final four, it would have been exactly 16 years since their last appearance in 2005, which came exactly 16 years after their final Final Four. Journey, in 1989. And, if you believe this type of stuff, Illinois lost to rival Michigan in the ’89 semi, then lost to North Carolina in the ’05 championship game and thus would be all due to win this year . . (If you’re curious, the 1973 Illinois Basketball Squad ended 5-18.) So that’s a new thing. If that’s the case.

All-region team

March issue: Get your printable NCAA tournament bracket

Best first round game

No. 8 Loyola-Chicago vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech. The Jackets outscored the Florida State offense in the finals of the ACC tournament by forcing 25 turnovers. The Ramblers do not turn it in half, often, preferring a sluggish pace that ranks 342nd in a season in which – Czech note – 347 teams compete. Can the jacket speed up the Rumblers? Do not trust him. They call them Rumblers for a reason.

Seed too much

No. 9 Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets got their first ACC tournament title since 1993 with a championship game victory over Florida State on Saturday. But in the context of the NCAA seed, Georgia Tech was actually penalized for winning. Virginia Tech, which lost to North Carolina in the quarterfinals, was given the No. 10 seed, which allows it to avoid the best teams in the tournament until the regional finals, in the unlikely event that the Hokies make it this far. Still, it is better than being mired in an 8-9 battle, the winner of which will be asked to deal with the Illinois squad, one of the tournament’s favorite players. Congratulations, Jacket. and good luck.

Seed too low

No. 4 Oklahoma State. It was the worst committee decision on the board, even more than the inclusion of Utah State as the No. 11 seed when it is the least qualified team in the region. OK State was 10-6 in the Quad 1 game. Four teams on the No. 3 line record: Kansas 7-8, Arkansas 6-5, West Virginia 7-7 and Texas 8-6. Head-to-head is not the only factor, but the Cowboys beat WVU twice in a span of five days, with neither homecoming victory. Especially given that it would be so easy for the Mountaineers and Cowboys to switch to the bracket, as they come from the same Big 12 conference, it is surprising the committee that came to this conclusion. It stinks for Oklahoma State, and perhaps even more for No. 1 seed Illinois. Remember what happened when Michigan State was ranked as the No. 2 seed in Duke’s 2019 field? Altogether a total of eight seeds were produced. Isn’t the idea to avoid making it difficult for the best teams?

Upset special

No. 11 Syracuse at No. 6 San Diego State. It is not impossible to love the program created by Aztec. The project began two decades ago when Steve Fisher drove him out of the rubble and made him a regular NCAA, and then Brian Dutcher succeeded him and placed him at an elite level. But the Syracuse zone is just a spell in this event. When you haven’t seen it before, you don’t know how to attack. You can hit some early jumpers and think you’ve solved it, but those shots will eventually become harder to find. This is not the best version of that defense so far. But it will still be tough for an Aztec squad that is not exceptional in crime.

Best possible game

Illinois vs. Oklahoma State in the Sweet 16. The Fighting Illini have to fight for their lives to keep the game alive. The Cowboys’ cad is perhaps the most dangerous player in the entire tournament at Cunningham, a 6-8-point guard who won a rivalry game against Oklahoma with a 40-point performance and won 25 (in the semifinals) and 29 (in the final). Big 12 tournament. Illinois has evolved into one of the most oppressive defensive teams in college basketball. And the Illini 6-11 will force OK State to deal with Kofi Cockburn, who has dipped more often than any other player in the nation this season because it is too difficult to keep away from the rim. We are enjoying watching this game, but it will be more fun in the Elite Eight, knowing that the winner will go to the Final Four and the loser will get at least one fair shot.

Best possible player matchup

Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State, vs. Io Dosunmu, Illinois. It is difficult to say how much they would defend each other if they were going to come about this matchup. Each coach can be careful about exposing such a demand load on defense to its star player. But just them on the same court, two of college basketball’s five best players – it would be something. (Did I mention that it would be much worse in Sweet 16 instead of Elite Eight?)

Learn

Rutgers guard Geo Baker. He was hoping to elevate the Scarlet Knights to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991 on campus four years ago. It appeared that his superb all-round backcourt play would help end the 29-year drought. But then the epidemic came and there the 2020 NCAA tournament went on. The depth of the Big Ten, and the strength of the league at the top, is making that mission an even greater challenge this year. But the Rutgers earned the No. 10 seed with their 15–11 record. “let’s Dance,” Baker tweeted, With three hearts emoji adjacent. And he took a ton of heart to do so.

Do not be surprised if. . .

Loyola steals the spotlight, at least for the first weekend. The 2018 Final Four Darling is back in the tournament as the Missouri Valley Conference champions and the No. 8 seed in the Midwest. Sister Jean, a nun who became a media sensation of March Madness three years ago, is hoping she will be able to participate in the Rambles games or games in Indy. Center Cameron Krutwig, now a senior, is once again at the center of his success.

Sleeper team

Clemson. The only team whose season was half-odd is Missouri. Perhaps it is something about calling himself the Tigers. Clemson defeated No. 2 seed Alabama, No. 4 seed Purdue and No. 4 seed Florida State. It also lost to the no-seed Miami in the ACC tournament and was viewed as an average conference. Perhaps this is how it can happen when aggressively challenged as a team (No. 99 in efficiency). This team, however, could have won the doubles game. Rutgers struggle to score nearly as much, and Memphis showed twice a week that No. 2 seed Houston is extremely green.

Last four pick

Illinois The Fighting Illini figure to overcome the committee’s bad call on Oklahoma State, but this is a team ideally built to win a national championship: elite defense, excellent deep shooting, big man in the middle, his roles. Players and many playwrights starring in Ayo Donumu, including a high-end talent who can handle a game when necessary. In 16 years, Illinois did not get a chance of greatness like this. It would not want to wait until 2037 to win a title.