March Madness is here, and with it comes the annual challenge of crafting the perfect bracket. CBS Sports analyst Matt Norlander has laid out his predictions, taking us through the twists and turns of this year’s tournament. While history tells us that no one has ever completed a perfect bracket, that doesn’t stop us from trying—and Norlander’s insights provide a great foundation for making informed picks.
South Region: Chaos and Cinderella Stories?
Auburn leads the way as the No. 1 seed, and Norlander has them advancing through the early rounds. However, he introduces some intriguing upsets early on. One of his boldest calls? UC San Diego taking down Michigan and making it to the Sweet 16 in their first year of tournament eligibility. Another notable upset: Yale over Texas A&M, citing the Aggies’ inconsistent shooting and Yale’s defensive capabilities.
Further down, San Diego State is picked to advance past UNCC and Ole Miss, continuing the trend of teams emerging from the play-in round to make a deep run. Iowa State and Michigan State also move forward, setting up an Elite 8 matchup between Auburn and Michigan State, both of whom competed in the legendary Maui Invitational earlier this season.
West Region: The Region of Death
With three 30-win teams in the mix, the West is stacked. Norlander calls it “The Region of Hall of Famers,” referencing the legendary coaches involved. He backs Florida, the No. 1 seed, to advance past Norfolk State with ease. He also picks UConn to navigate past Oklahoma, despite the temptation to consider an early Huskies exit.
One of Norlander’s biggest shocks comes with Drake, a 30-win team, upsetting Missouri and continuing their Cinderella run. Meanwhile, Kansas takes care of Arkansas, and St. John’s, under Rick Pitino, edges past Omaha before setting up a Sweet 16 showdown with Florida.
In the Elite 8, Norlander picks Maryland over Florida, continuing his trend of bold selections. St. John’s, with its elite defense, also gets past Drake, giving us a surprise regional final of Maryland vs. St. John’s.
East Region: Duke’s Dominance?
Duke headlines the East bracket as the top overall seed. Norlander expects Cooper Flagg to return from an ankle sprain early, ensuring Duke advances without much resistance. Further down, he selects Mississippi State over Baylor, BYU over VCU in a tight 6-11 matchup, and Alabama to handle Robert Morris with ease.
Duke continues its run through Arizona in the Sweet 16, while Alabama outlasts BYU in what Norlander predicts will be a high-scoring affair. When the dust settles, Alabama edges Duke to secure their Final Four spot, bringing their high-powered offense to the biggest stage.
Midwest Region: Houston’s Road to Redemption
For the third straight season, Houston enters as a No. 1 seed. Their path starts with a win over SIUE before facing Gonzaga in the second round. Norlander sees Houston as a legitimate Final Four contender, and they power past Gonzaga and Clemson en route to an Elite 8 showdown with Kentucky.
Kentucky, despite injury concerns, survives a tough matchup with Tennessee and pulls off an offensive-heavy win. In the end, though, Norlander picks Houston to come out of the region, citing their defensive intensity and experience.
Final Four Predictions and Championship Pick
Norlander’s Final Four consists of Auburn, Maryland, Alabama, and Houston—an intriguing mix of favorites and underdogs. In the semifinals, Auburn gets past Maryland in a close battle, while Houston’s defensive prowess stifles Alabama’s offense.
For the national championship, Norlander takes Houston over Auburn, banking on the Cougars' experience and ability to control the pace of play. If his prediction holds, Houston will capture their first NCAA title in program history.
Conclusion
Norlander’s bracket is a mix of strong top seeds and bold underdog picks, making for an exciting tournament outlook. Whether you’re a seasoned bracketologist or a casual fan, his insights provide a strong foundation for your picks. As always, the unpredictability of March Madness means surprises are inevitable—but that’s what makes it the most thrilling tournament in sports.
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