The 68-team March Madness field will be cut down to four in a matter of just two weeks. A few teams stand out as favorites to reach the Final Four in Indianapolis, though history says there’s a good chance that one or two unexpected contenders will emerge.

Over the last decade, just three Final Fours have featured more than one No. 1 seed. Seven teams seeded No. 7 or lower have won their region in the last seven NCAA Tournaments.

Here are Final Four predictions for the 2021 NCAA Tournament, as well as a sleeper pick for each region.

West: No.1 Gonzaga (Sleeper: No.7 Oregon)

It’s going to be extremely difficult for anyone in the West to keep Gonzaga out of the Final Four. With three of this year’s 15 Wooden Award finalists, the Bulldogs are more talented than anyone. Gonzaga has a perfect 26-0 record, and all but one of its victories have come by double digits. Mark Few’s squad has already beaten the No. 2-No. 4 seeds in the West region by 10 points or more.

Oregon arguably deserved a higher seed in the field of 68. Since COVID protocols halted the Ducks’ season in January, the team has won 11 of its last 14 games. Oregon makes nearly 38% of its threes, giving them a chance to get hot and make a deep tournament run.

East: No.3 Texas (Sleeper: No.8 LSU)

Coming off a Big 12 Championship, Texas enters the tournament playing some of its best basketball. Led by Andrew Jones and Matt Coleman, the Longhorns have a veteran backcourt that is capable of leading them through the East. Most importantly, Texas shares a region with the tournament’s most vulnerable No. 1 seed. Michigan might not be the same team that won 20 games now that senior Isaiah Livers is out indefinitely with a foot injury.

LSU nearly upset No. 2 Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Freshman Cameron Thomas ranks fourth in the nation in scoring with 22.6 points per game.

South: No.1 Baylor (Sleeper: No.12 Winthrop)

Only Gonzaga had a better regular season than Baylor, who was defeated just once before losing in the Big 12 Tournament. The Bears are the nation’s top three-point shooting team, making 41.8% of their attempts from behind the arc. Baylor ranks third in the country in scoring with an offense that can carry the team through the first two weekends of March Madness.

Four No. 11 seeds have reached the Final Four, including Loyola Chicago just three years ago. Maybe Winthrop has what it takes to be the first No. 12 seed to win its region. The Eagles are 23-1 with their only loss coming by two points.

Midwest: No.4 Oklahoma State (Sleeper: No.6 San Diego State)

Cade Cunningham makes Oklahoma State one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament. The projected No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft is averaging 20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, and he’s somehow managed to improve his performance over the last few weeks. The Cowboys beat Baylor for their last win, and they have big victories over Kansas, West Virginia and Texas.

San Diego State is one of the hottest teams in the country. The Aztecs are on a 14-game winning streak. They rank eighth in opponents’ points per game.

National Championship: Gonzaga Over Baylor

Cade Cunningham Oklahoma State Baylor
Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys controls the ball as Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears defends during the Big 12 basketball tournament semifinal game at the T-Mobile Center on March 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
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