March Madness 2024: NCAA Tournament Brackets, Picks, Upsets

Selection Sunday is behind us and March Madness is officially here. Connecticut, Houston, Purdue and North Carolina are the No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament brackets and the four betting favorites to win the National Championship. 

Here is an early look at the March Madness brackets with sleepers, upsets and Final Four predictions for each region.  

East Region

UConn is the No. 1 overall seed but the committee did them no favors. The East is this year's "Region of Death" with Iowa State, Illinois and Auburn standing in the way of last year's National Champion. The Huskies are still the team to beat but if chalk holds, they will get tested multiple times before the Final Four. 

BYU - The Cougars are a tough team to project because they attempt the second-most three-pointers per game in college basketball. However, if they get hot from the outside, BYU can beat anyone. I like this draw for the Cougars. I think they get by Duquesne then they match up well in a potential second-round shootout with Illinois.

If BYU makes it top the Sweet 16 and seeding holds, a familiar foe in Iowa State could await. BYU is my sleeper to make the Elite 8 out of this region. 

Round 1 Upset

No. 10 Drake (+1.5) over No. 7 Washington State - Love the Drake in this matchup. The Bulldogs had eventual Final Four bound Miami on the ropes last year before melting in the final two minutes. Now they get a team in Washington State that overachieved in the weak Pac-12. Drake is the No. 1 defensive rebounding team in the country and they don't turn the ball over. I like the Bulldogs to win this game rather easily. 

No. 1 UConn - It's hard to pick against this UConn team, even in a tough region. The Huskies will be tested, but I have them moving on to their second-straight Final Four appearance. 

South Region

This isn't an easy region for No. 1 seed Houston. Marquette matches up well with the Cougars, while Kentucky and Florida have the offenses to give them problems. Coming off a blowout loss in the Big 12 Championship, I expect Houston to be motivated, but they don't have an easy path to the Final Four. 

No. 7 Florida - This region sets up well for the Gators to reach the Elite 8. We don't know how healthy Marquette G Tyler Kolek will be in a potential second-round matchup, so I give Florida a slight edge. Then the Gators could meet a Kentucky team they played twice this season with the two games being decided by five points. Don't sleep on Florida reaching the Final Four. 

Round 1 Upset

No. 11 NC State (+5.5) vs. No. 6 Texas Tech - NC State needed a magical run in the ACC Tournament just to make the tournament. Normally, I like to fade those teams but I like the matchup for the Wolfpack against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders don't have a lot of size and can get beaten up on the boards. That's bad news when facing 275-pund bulldozer DJ Burns. I think the Wolfpack's run last one more game. 

No. 7 Florida - I'm taking a shot with the Gators here. They have issues on defense but I like Florida's path to the Elite Eight. Then I'll take my chances with a potential matchup against Houston. The Gators rebound and have quick guards. That's the recipe to upset the Cougars. 

Midwest Region

The question is, do you trust Purdue? I don't. I'll be honest, this region has a bunch of teams I'm not high on like Purdue, Kansas, Gonzaga and Creighton. I think it sets up nice for Tennessee. You know, the other team besides Purdue that tends to underachieve in March. 

Bracket Buster

No. 9 TCU - If the Horned Frogs get by Utah State, I like the way they match up with Purdue. TCU has strong guard play and that's been the Boilermakers' kryptonite in recent years. Zach Edey will obviously be a matchup problem. However, if TCU can pressure the Purdue guards and create turnovers that lead to easy buckets, the Frogs have a shot at an upset. 

No. 13 Samford (+8.5) over No. 4 Kansas - This will be a popular pick but it's hard not to like Samford's chances against a Kansas squad limping into the tournament. Samford plays fast and has explosive guards. With Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar's status unknown, it's hard to trust the Jayhawks. Kansas doesn't shoot well from three, so it needs the offense to run through Dickinson in the paint. Sometimes the popular upset pick wins. I think this is one of those times. 

And the winner is...

No. 2 Tennessee - I understand people being weary of Rick Barnes in March. However, I think Tennessee is one of the most complete teams in the country. The Vols' offense is different this year with Dalton Knecht. A potential second-round matchup with Texas will be tough, but I like Tennessee to finally live up to expectations and reach the Final Four. 

West Region

This is the most interesting region in my opinion. I'm a big fan of North Carolina. Unlike last season, the Tar Heels play hard and can win games multiple different ways. A second-round matchup with either Mississippi State or Michigan State won't be easy but I'm not overly high on Alabama, Arizona or Baylor. The Tar Heels got a good draw. 

Bracket Buster

No. 5 Saint Mary's - The Gaels could be dangerous in this region. They have a tough matchup versus Grand Canyon in Round 1. If Saint Mary's gets by the Lopes, I like their chances in a potential matchup with Alabama. As someone holding a UNC futures ticket, I'd rather see the Tide in the Sweet 16 than the defensive-minded Gaels.  

No. 11 New Mexico (-2) over No. 6 Clemson - This isn't a traditional upset in the betting market because the Lobos are slight favorites but it's an upset based on seeding. Don't look at New Mexico's record. This team was built for March with elite guard play. I also liked the way the Lobos turned up the defense in the MWC Tournament. I'm not a fan of this Clemson team. Look for the Lobis to advance. 

And the winner is...

No. 1 North Carolina - If UNC gets past a tough second-round game, watch out. I don't think there is another team in this region that matches up well with the Tar Heels. Arizona will be tough if they get that far but, in my opinion, UNC has the most favorable road of any top seed. 

National Champion

North Carolina

I believe either UConn or North Carolina will cut down the nets this year. UConn is the easy pick because the Huskies are the best team in the country. But it's hard to repeat. I believe this UNC team is on a mission after laying an egg last season. I'll go with the Heels to win it all in what should be an entertaining, exciting NCAA Tournament. 

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