ESPN Computer Model Has A New Final Four Prediction
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A general view during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Michigan State Spartans at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
The first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament is in the books.
It was a historic first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, with nine double digit seeds advancing to the second round. Rutgers (10), Maryland (10), UCLA (11), Syracuse (11), Oregon State (12), North Texas (13), Ohio (13), Abilene Christian (14) and Oral Roberts (15) all won their first round games. It's the most double digit seeds advancing to the second round since the tournament expanded in 1985.
Are any of these double-digit seeds capable of making a deep run, though?
ESPN's computer model, the Basketball Power Index, has updated its projections for the rest of the NCAA Tournament. Who's going to reach the Final Four?
Here's the latest projection, from ESPN's computer model:
- West Region - Gonzaga
- East Region - Michigan
- South Region - Baylor
- Midwest Region - Houston
So, after one round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, ESPN's computer model is predicting three No. 1 seeds and a No. 2 seed to reach the Final Four.
A lot can change in a day, though.
The second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament is scheduled to tip off shortly after noon E.T. on Sunday. There will be eight games played on Sunday and eight games played on Monday.
