How did the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament unfold. Which teams made surprising runs. What were the key matchups and results in each region. How did the Final Four and championship game play out.
West Region: Gonzaga’s Dominant Path to the Final Four
The West Region of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament saw top-seeded Gonzaga showcase their prowess as they marched towards the Final Four. The Bulldogs began their campaign with a commanding 98-55 victory over Norfolk State/Appalachian State, setting the tone for their tournament run.
Some notable results from the West Region include:
- 13th-seeded Ohio upset 4th-seeded Virginia 62-58 in the first round
- 7th-seeded Oregon advanced without playing due to VCU’s forfeit
- 6th-seeded USC dominated 3rd-seeded Kansas 85-51 in the second round
Gonzaga continued their impressive run, defeating Oklahoma (87-71), Creighton (83-65), and finally USC (85-66) to secure their spot in the Final Four. Their offensive firepower and consistent performances made them a formidable force throughout the tournament.
Unexpected Performances in the West
While Gonzaga lived up to their top seed billing, other teams in the West Region provided some surprises. Oregon’s unexpected advancement due to VCU’s forfeit led to a strong showing, including a 95-80 victory over 2nd-seeded Iowa. USC’s dominating performance against Kansas also turned heads, showcasing the Pac-12’s strength in the tournament.
South Region: Baylor Bears Claw Their Way to the Top
The South Region saw 1st-seeded Baylor assert their dominance en route to the Final Four. The Bears began with a solid 79-55 win over Hartford and continued to impress throughout the region.
Key moments in the South Region included:
- 9th-seeded Wisconsin upsetting 8th-seeded North Carolina 85-62
- 13th-seeded North Texas shocking 4th-seeded Purdue 78-69
- 15th-seeded Oral Roberts stunning 2nd-seeded Ohio State 75-72
Baylor navigated through potential pitfalls, defeating Wisconsin (76-63), Villanova (62-51), and Arkansas (81-72) to reach the Final Four. Their balanced attack and defensive prowess proved too much for their opponents.
Oral Roberts: The Cinderella Story
One of the most captivating narratives from the South Region was the remarkable run of 15th-seeded Oral Roberts. After their shocking upset over Ohio State, they continued their magical run by defeating Florida 81-78. Their journey finally came to an end in a nail-biting 72-70 loss to Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen, but not before capturing the hearts of basketball fans nationwide.
East Region: UCLA’s Improbable Run to the Final Four
The East Region provided some of the most exciting and unexpected results of the tournament, culminating in 11th-seeded UCLA’s surprising run to the Final Four.
Significant outcomes in the East Region included:
- 14th-seeded Abilene Christian upsetting 3rd-seeded Texas 53-52
- 11th-seeded UCLA defeating 6th-seeded BYU 73-62 in the first round
- 10th-seeded Maryland overcoming 7th-seeded UConn 63-54
While 1st-seeded Michigan looked strong early on, it was UCLA who emerged as the region’s representative in the Final Four. The Bruins’ journey included victories over Abilene Christian (67-47), Alabama (88-78), and a nail-biting 51-49 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight.
Michigan’s Strong Showing
Despite falling short of the Final Four, Michigan put forth a commendable performance in the tournament. The Wolverines secured convincing wins over LSU (86-78) and Florida State (76-58) before their narrow loss to UCLA. Their balanced attack and strong defensive efforts made them a formidable opponent throughout the East Region.
Midwest Region: Houston’s Rise and Illinois’ Early Exit
The Midwest Region saw its fair share of upsets and surprising results, with 2nd-seeded Houston ultimately emerging as the Final Four representative.
Notable events in the Midwest Region included:
- 8th-seeded Loyola Chicago upsetting 1st-seeded Illinois 71-58 in the second round
- 12th-seeded Oregon State’s surprising run to the Elite Eight
- 11th-seeded Syracuse reaching the Sweet Sixteen
Houston’s path to the Final Four included victories over Rutgers (63-60), Syracuse (62-46), and Oregon State (67-61). The Cougars’ defensive prowess and clutch performances in close games proved crucial in their success.
Loyola Chicago and Oregon State: Bracket Busters
Two of the most intriguing stories from the Midwest Region were the runs of Loyola Chicago and Oregon State. The Ramblers, led by their charismatic chaplain Sister Jean, once again captured the nation’s attention with their upset over Illinois. Oregon State, meanwhile, went from barely making the tournament to reaching the Elite Eight, showcasing the unpredictable nature of March Madness.
Final Four: Gonzaga’s Near-Perfect Run Meets Its Match
The 2021 Final Four in Indianapolis featured a compelling mix of storylines, with Gonzaga, Baylor, Houston, and UCLA vying for the national title.
In the first semifinal, Gonzaga continued their dominant run with a thrilling 93-90 overtime victory against UCLA. The game, widely regarded as one of the best in tournament history, was decided by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs.
The second semifinal saw Baylor assert their dominance with a convincing 78-59 win over Houston, setting up a championship matchup between the tournament’s top two overall seeds.
Championship Game: Baylor Halts Gonzaga’s Perfect Season
The national championship game between Gonzaga and Baylor lived up to its billing as a clash of titans. However, it was the Bears who came out on top, securing an 86-70 victory and claiming their first-ever national title.
Baylor’s aggressive defense and sharp shooting proved too much for Gonzaga, who were attempting to complete the first perfect season in men’s college basketball since Indiana in 1976. The Bears’ balanced attack and ability to disrupt Gonzaga’s usually fluid offense were key factors in their championship triumph.
Tournament Trends and Takeaways
The 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament provided numerous insights and trends worth noting:
- Pac-12 Dominance: The conference performed exceptionally well, with multiple teams making deep runs
- Upset Central: The tournament saw an unusually high number of upsets, particularly in the early rounds
- COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic’s influence was felt throughout, from VCU’s forfeit to the tournament’s single-site format in Indianapolis
- Three-Point Shooting: Success from beyond the arc proved crucial for many of the tournament’s top performers
Player Performances
Several players stood out with exceptional performances throughout the tournament:
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68968097/Men_s_2021_NCAA_March_Madness_Bracket.0.jpg)
- Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga): His buzzer-beater against UCLA will go down in tournament history
- Davion Mitchell (Baylor): His two-way play was instrumental in Baylor’s championship run
- Johnny Juzang (UCLA): The sophomore guard’s scoring prowess fueled UCLA’s surprising Final Four appearance
- Max Abmas (Oral Roberts): Led all tournament scorers and spearheaded Oral Roberts’ Cinderella run
Legacy of the 2021 NCAA Tournament
The 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will be remembered for its unique circumstances, thrilling games, and the crowning of a first-time champion in Baylor. The Bears’ victory over Gonzaga not only secured their place in college basketball history but also demonstrated the unpredictable nature of March Madness.
From UCLA’s improbable run as a First Four team to the Final Four, to Oral Roberts’ stunning upsets as a 15-seed, the tournament provided numerous memorable moments that will be discussed for years to come. The resilience shown by teams and organizers in the face of pandemic-related challenges further underscored the tournament’s significance in the sporting landscape.
Impact on Future Tournaments
The success of the 2021 tournament, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, may influence future events in several ways:
- Enhanced health and safety protocols for large-scale sporting events
- Potential reconsideration of the tournament’s format and scheduling
- Increased emphasis on adaptability and contingency planning
- Greater appreciation for the tournament’s role in collegiate athletics and national sports culture
As college basketball continues to evolve, the 2021 NCAA Tournament will serve as a benchmark for resilience, excitement, and the enduring appeal of March Madness.
2021 Division I Men’s Basketball Official Bracket
Get Tickets |
Printable Bracket |
WEST
FINAL
1 Gonzaga 98
16 NSU/APPST 55
FINAL
8 Oklahoma 72
9 Missouri 68
FINAL
5 Creighton 63
12 UC Santa Barbara 62
FINAL
4 Virginia 58
13 Ohio 62
FINAL
6 Southern California 72
11 WSU/DRAKE 56
FINAL
3 Kansas 93
14 Eastern Wash. 84
forfeit
7 Oregon
10 VCU
FINAL
2 Iowa 86
15 Grand Canyon 74
FINAL
1 Gonzaga 87
8 Oklahoma 71
FINAL
5 Creighton 72
13 Ohio 58
FINAL
6 Southern California 85
3 Kansas 51
FINAL
7 Oregon 95
2 Iowa 80
FINAL
1 Gonzaga 83
5 Creighton 65
FINAL
6 Southern California 82
7 Oregon 68
FINAL
1 Gonzaga 85
6 Southern California 66
SOUTH
FINAL
1 Baylor 79
16 Hartford 55
FINAL
8 North Carolina 62
9 Wisconsin 85
FINAL
5 Villanova 73
12 Winthrop 63
FINAL
4 Purdue 69
13 North Texas 78
FINAL
6 Texas Tech 65
11 Utah St.
53
FINAL
3 Arkansas 85
14 Colgate 68
FINAL
7 Florida 75
10 Virginia Tech 70
FINAL
2 Ohio St. 72
15 Oral Roberts 75
FINAL
1 Baylor 76
9 Wisconsin 63
FINAL
5 Villanova 84
13 North Texas 61
FINAL
6 Texas Tech 66
3 Arkansas 68
FINAL
7 Florida 78
15 Oral Roberts 81
FINAL
1 Baylor 62
5 Villanova 51
FINAL
3 Arkansas 72
15 Oral Roberts 70
FINAL
1 Baylor 81
3 Arkansas 72
FINAL FOUR®
4/3
CHAMPIONSHIP
4/5
FINAL FOUR®
4/3
FINAL
1 Gonzaga 93
11 UCLA 90
FINAL
1 Gonzaga 70
1 Baylor 86
FINAL
1 Baylor 78
2 Houston 59
EAST
FINAL
1 Michigan 82
16 MSM/TXSO 66
FINAL
8 LSU 76
9 St.
Bonaventure 61
FINAL
5 Colorado 96
12 Georgetown 73
FINAL
4 Florida St. 64
13 UNC Greensboro 54
FINAL
6 BYU 62
11 MSU/UCLA 73
FINAL
3 Texas 52
14 Abilene Christian 53
FINAL
7 UConn 54
10 Maryland 63
FINAL
2 Alabama 68
15 Iona 55
FINAL
1 Michigan 86
8 LSU 78
FINAL
5 Colorado 53
4 Florida St. 71
FINAL
11 UCLA 67
14 Abilene Christian 47
FINAL
10 Maryland 77
2 Alabama 96
FINAL
1 Michigan 76
4 Florida St. 58
FINAL
11 UCLA 88
2 Alabama 78
FINAL
1 Michigan 49
11 UCLA 51
MIDWEST
FINAL
1 Illinois 78
16 Drexel 49
FINAL
8 Loyola Chicago 71
9 Georgia Tech 60
FINAL
5 Tennessee 56
12 Oregon St. 70
FINAL
4 Oklahoma St. 69
13 Liberty 60
FINAL
6 San Diego St. 62
11 Syracuse 78
FINAL
3 West Virginia 84
14 Morehead St. 67
FINAL
7 Clemson 56
10 Rutgers 60
FINAL
2 Houston 87
15 Cleveland St. 56
FINAL
1 Illinois 58
8 Loyola Chicago 71
FINAL
12 Oregon St. 80
4 Oklahoma St. 70
FINAL
11 Syracuse 75
3 West Virginia 72
FINAL
10 Rutgers 60
2 Houston 63
FINAL
8 Loyola Chicago 58
12 Oregon St. 65
FINAL
11 Syracuse 46
2 Houston 62
FINAL
12 Oregon St. 61
2 Houston 67
FINAL
16 Norfolk St.
