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| My 2021 NCAA Bracket - David Mossner It's time for the annual effort to predict the outcome of 67 games which, according to a Google search is 1 in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808. |
I've never had a perfect bracket for the first day of the first round let alone got the first 32 games correct. It seems that the people who win the office pool or family bracket are picked because of favorite colors or by choosing the favorite mascot.
This year I have two favorite teams.
My alma mater, Drake University, is in one of the "First Four" games to earn an 11th seed position against the 6th seed University of Southern California. The Bulldogs were one of the last undefeated teams during the year, and after losing their two best players they still played well. Those guys are expected back for tonight's game. They win tonight and find a way to a victory on Saturday, I will count it as a great season in Des Moines.
My other favorite is the University of Wisconsin. While it had a disappointing season in terms of its conference record, it's clear that the B1G Conference is loaded with talented teams. Illinois and Michigan earned top seeds in the tournament. Iowa and Ohio State are second seeds. Purdue is a 4th; followed by Wisconsin as a 9; Maryland and Rutgers as 10th seeds; and Michigan State as 11th. It's the first time a conference sent nine teams to the dance.
Because the conference was so strong, I expect B1G teams to thrive against non-conference opponents and predict eight of nine to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
The team I don't have making it past the second round is Wisconsin. It's been a strange season for Bucky. They have the talent and experience to beat any team in the brackets, but they have seemingly lost direction at crucial times during games and frequently lose their shooting touch. I could make a case for them beating Baylor in the second round and advancing to the Final Four, but it doesn't feel like their year. I hope I'm wrong.
Here are my picks by region:
West: Round One has three upset winners - Missouri, Ohio, and Drake.
Round Two it's chalk as the higher seeds advance
Sweet 16 winners are Gonzaga and Iowa; Gonzaga moves on to the semi-finals.
East: Round One has four upsets - St. Bonaventure, Georgetown, Michigan State, and Maryland
Round Two sees to upsets as Michigan State and Maryland advance
Sweet 16 winners are Michigan and Michigan State; Michigan State upsets the Wolverines
South: Round One has three upset winners - Wisconsin, Colgate, and Virginia Tech
Round Two goes chalk
Sweet 16 sends the top two to the Elite 8 and Ohio State moves to the semi-finals.
Midwest: Round One has four upsets - Oregon State, Liberty, Rutgers, and Cleveland State
Round Two has one upset as the Flames of Liberty advance
Sweet 16 winners are Illinois and West Virginia and it's Illinois moving on.
Semi-Finals: Gonzaga beats Michigan State
Ohio State defeats Illinois
Championship: Gonzaga
The wild-card in making guesses on the outcome is how Covid-19 effects the results. Other than practice, team meetings, and some team meals players will be alone in their rooms. The teams reaching the Final Four will be in a Tournament quarantine from March 15 to April 5.
In 2020, the tournament was the first major sport Covid casualty on the sports calendar. It was the right call, but I'm looking forward to being in front of the television at 3 this afternoon to watch 36 games over these five days.
I'm sure my bracket will be busted by then, but it will be fun to see it unfold.
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