The Exponent's bracketology

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament has arrived with the first games tipping off on Thursday, March 18, and concluding with the championship on Monday, April 5. Due to the ongoing pandemic, all athletes, coaches and staff will be isolated in Indianapolis, Indiana, to limit exposure from traversing the country.

The Exponent sports staff sat down after our weekly Monday meeting and filled out the bracket, seen on the right. We have the Gonzaga Bulldogs going the distance and claiming their first national championship in school history. The Bulldogs’ lockdown defense and ability to score from anywhere on the floor is why we believe the team will be cutting down the net when the tournament concludes.

Gonzaga is undefeated this season (31-0) with 23 straight double-digit wins. Freshman sensation Jalen Suggs leads the Bulldogs’ defensive efforts, making phenomenal plays, anticipating steals, making athletic defensive plays and playing with a competitive nature. Suggs is not the only weapon wearing a Bulldogs uniform. Corey Kispert is one of the best shooters in the country and the Zags dominate the paint with Drew Timme manning the post. With Mark Few as head coach and a desire to avenge their 2017 loss to the North Carolina Tarheels, the City of Spokane will certainly be popping champagne on April 5.

Rounding out the Final Four, we have No. 1 Gonzaga facing No.1 Michigan and No. 2 Ohio State matching up against No. 1 Illinois. Illinois will go on to win their semi-final matchup to meet Gonzaga in the finale.