HARTFORD, CT - MARCH 21: A general view of the NCAA logo during the first round of March Madness on March 21, 2019, at XL Center in Hartford, CT.

Comprehensive guide to March Madness

5 years ago
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The return of March Madness is upon us after almost two years.

While the 2021 tournament will look different with the entire event being held in Indianapolis, there will still be buzzer-beaters and upsets aplenty.

Find everything you need to know about the 68-team NCAA Tournament below.

Region Previews

West

Gonzaga was rewarded for its perfect regular season with the tournament's No. 1 overall seed and the top spot in the West. The Bulldogs' path to the Final Four is as smooth as anybody's as they've already beaten No. 2 Iowa, No. 3 Kansas, and No. 4 Virginia by double-digits this season.

See the full preview here.

East

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Michigan will likely be without the services of second-leading scorer Isaiah Livers due to injury. The East could be wide-open with Alabama a very strong No. 2 seed and No. 3 Texas fielding Shaka Smart's best team to date in Austin.

See the full preview here.

South

Baylor looked downright dominant with only two losses all season. The top half of the bracket should favor the Bears while the bottom half will be a battle among teams that include No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Arkansas, and No. 6 Texas Tech.

See the full preview here.

Midwest

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Outside of Gonzaga, Illinois is the hottest team in the country with wins in 14 of its last 15 contests. The Illini feature one of the nation's top players in Ayo Dosunmu, but a Sweet 16 matchup with projected No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma State could be a challenge.

See the full preview here.

The ultimate betting guide

Tournament news

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Previous winners

2020 - No tournament
2019 - Virginia
2018 - Villanova
2017 - North Carolina
2016 - Villanova
2015 - Duke
2014 - UConn
2013 - Louisville*
2012 - Kentucky
2011 - UConn

*Title later vacated

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