The Sharps' Side – Our Experts' NCAA Tournament March Madness Picks

The Tourney has arrived and we've asked our sharps to put their reputations on the line with picks for the 2021 March Madness Tournament!

Ranging from the winner of the tournament to who will be the Most Outstanding Player, we've collated a whole bunch of opinions to help you narrow down your bets ahead of the greatest few weeks in sport!

🏆 Winner and runner-up

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Ian - House Edge Podcast

Gonzaga v. Illinois for the Championship, and unfortunately for my blood pressure and lifespan, I feel like Gonzaga and Mark Few are finally going to get that elusive National Championship. As of Selection Sunday, these were the two best teams in the country, with a beautiful mixture of NBA talent, experience, coaching, and role-players that answer the call when their number is called. Every long run involves some unexpected stars, and both these teams have less familiar names that are capable, and have worn the limelight in the past.

Prospector Sam

I have Iowa winning. I think, at the top of their game, the Hawkeyes can outplay anyone in the country. They score in waves, and just need a decent defensive effort. My Runner Up is Oklahoma State. It’s a risky choice, but big time players make a difference in the Tournament, and Cade Cunningham is good enough to take over any game by himself.

Matt - Props and Hops Podcast

Gonzaga over Illinois. I'd be wary of this pick in a pool with more than 10 or so brackets since swimming with the masses is a tough way to beat the competition, but as the most probable outcome I'm happy to go with it against my peers in the small but mighty Dimers Podcast Network. Not only are these the two best teams in the country, but if added practice time doesn't boost Baylor's defense in a big way as I suspect it might, it's a substantial drop-off from the Bulldogs and Fighting Illini to any other contenders.

Granj - Tail and Print Podcast

Illinois to beat Gonzaga. I will take a Big Ten team over Gonzaga who falls short time and time again, as powerful as they may be this year

DimersBOT 🤖

Gonzaga is a massive 47% chance of winning this tournament. For every team's probabilities, check out the NCAA Tournament futures page.‍

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🐴 Dark horse pick

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Ian - House Edge Podcast

Texas. Shaka Smart was almost fired last season, but was retained one more year to see what he could do with the 2021 crew. He's got two NBA 1st round picks in Kai Jones and Greg Brown, and a dynamite backcourt that includes senior Matt Coleman and consummate leader Courtney Ramey. Don't count out cancer survivor Andrew Jones if the Longhorns need a big shot - he's faced larger odds.

Prospector Sam

Oklahoma State at a 4 Seed is a bit Dark horse-ish but too many people like them to call it that. A more surprising 4 Seed I see making waves is Purdue, who are a complete team with a fairly soft road to advance (Baylor hasn’t looked the same since their Covid break). I also have high hopes for UNC Greensborough as a double-digit seed who I think could make it out of the First Round.

Matt - Props and Hops Podcast

USC. Alumni bias? Sure. But there's a path to a good run.... While Drake could pose a difficult first-round matchup should the Bulldogs prevail in their First Four matchup with Wichita State, a presumptive second-round matchup with Kansas doesn't look as menacing as it would've in years past when the Jayhawks were a more formidable foe. Doggy Juice Pod host and Iowa grad Mike Roselli may beg to differ, but Iowa or Oregon wouldn't be unwinnable Sweet Sixteen scenarios for USC, either. Gonzaga would likely end the Trojans' run should they advance as far as the Elite Eight, but it would be fun to see Pac-12 Player of the Year Evan Mobley & Co. give Mark Few's squad a run for its money.

Granj - Tail and Print Podcast

UConn is my sleeper out of the East Region as a 7 seed. Behind the strength of Bouknight, I have them in the Elite 8!

DimersBOT 🤖

Houston presents the best value at +3000 with a 7.2% chance of winning it all. For every team's probabilities, check out the NCAA Tournament futures page.

⏬ Most disappointing team

Ian - House Edge Podcast

Michigan, and I'll be playing the smallest violin in the solar system. Michigan claimed a Big Ten title after getting the doors blown off them at home by an Ayo Dosunmuless Illinois team, and then got offended when people suggested it should be shared with the team that won two more games then them in the regular season. The Wolverines will see the 2nd weekend, but think Florida State sends them packing.

Prospector Sam

Illinois. Betting on the Illini is generally a bad idea historically, and they drew brutal potential matchups with Loyola and Oklahoma State. Michigan also could qualify but without Livers it would be hard to blame them as much.

Matt - Props and Hops Podcast

Michigan. Juwan Howard's team arrived on the scene earlier than anticipated, but may also depart from the Big Dance earlier than many are expecting. Taking a rare trip to Narrative Land, Michigan seems to have peaked too early. Bright days are ahead for the program, but this year's Wolverines get my nod as the first 1 seed to be sent packing.

Granj - Tail and Print Podcast

Oklahoma State as my most disappointing team in Rd1 as a 4 seed, I have them losing to Liberty. Michigan as my most disappointing 1 seed losing in Rd2 to the winner of LSU / St. Bonaventure. 

DimersBOT 🤖

West Virginia Mountaineers come into the tournament with the same odds as Houston but are MUCH more likely to perform well.

🔮 Most Outstanding Player

Ian - House Edge Podcast

Gonzaga's freshman point guard Jalen Suggs is my favorite for Tournament MVP, and should be a top-3 pick in the NBA draft later this year. Suggs was a highly rated high school quarterback before picking basketball over football, and all those leadership skills and vision carried over to the hardwood. There isn't one aspect of Suggs game to harp on, because it's all exemplary. If Gonzaga wins the Natty, you're picking from Suggs, Timme, and Kispert. I'm going with the freshman.

Prospector Sam

Cade Cunningham. I don’t know how you could have watched this Cowboys team over the last month and not been excited to see him play in the Big Dance. It’s going to be our only shot, so I hope Oklahoma State sticks around for a while.

Matt - Props and Hops Podcast

Jalen Suggs. Much like the Super Bowl MVP award almost always goes to the QB of the winning team, this award often goes to the best player on the team that cuts down the nets. Suggs's ability to facilitate the offense, create scoring opportunities for himself, and lock down on defense will be pivotal should Gonzaga finally reach the summit in style with an undefeated season.

Granj - Tail and Print Podcast

Kofi Cockburn as Most Outstanding Player on Illinois!

DimersBOT 🤖

Jalen Suggs. With Gonzaga winning the tournament, Suggs will win the MVP.

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