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2024 NCAA tournament predictions to win March Madness regions, Final Four

Iowa State Cyclones guard Curtis Jones (5) and Iowa State Cyclones forward Conrad Hawley (23) celebrate after the game against the Houston Cougars at T-Mobile Center.
Iowa State Cyclones guard Curtis Jones (5) and Iowa State Cyclones forward Conrad Hawley (23) celebrate after the game against the Houston Cougars at T-Mobile Center.

Selection Sunday is officially behind us. We know who is playing who and the path each team would need to take in order to claim the 2024 national title. So, now the question looms "Who will it be?"

Whether you are trying to create that first bracket or just trying to win your office pool, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding who the experts having making Cinderella runs, representing each region in the Final Four, and of course, which team will win it all.

Obviously, trying to predict March Madness is near impossible. It is madness, after all. And there's a reason that nobody has ever been able to correctly predict a full bracket. Still, for those of us less familiar with the 2024 college basketball scene, these predictions could be exactly what we need in order to earn bragging rights for a year.

Men’s March Madness: Selection Sunday bracket, snubs, predictions

2024 March Madness Bracket:

Here is an updated bracket with the full field and regions.

Here is a printable PDF of the men's bracket

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2024 March Madness Predictions:

East Region:

USA Today: UConn

Paul Myerberg writes, "Anyone other than UConn winning the region and going to the Final Four would be a big surprise. The Huskies are long, deep, explosive, dripping with athleticism and loaded with the sort of confidence you'd expect from the defending champs." Myerberg does like Florida Atlantic as a potential sleeper in this region, but seeing as how FAU would likely face UConn in the Round of 32, clearly he believes that this is UConn's region to lose.

FOX Sports: UConn

FOX Sports' John Fanta also likes UConn to come out of this region. It should be mostly a breeze for the reigning national champs too. That said, fans will be treated to a rematch of last year's national championship game between the Huskies and San Diego State Aztecs in the Sweet 16 if Fanta's predictions come true.

West Region:

USA Today: Arizona

Josh Peter writes, "Sure, the skeptics are howling: But Arizona lost two of its past three games! Including a 78-65 setback against lowly Southern California! Nonetheless, these Wildcats are built for an extended run thanks to a versatile eight-man rotation. Scoring? Got it. Arizona ranks third in scoring offense with 87.7 points per game. Caleb Love, the senior guard, leads the team in scoring at 18.1, and each of the team’s four other starters are averaging 9.8."

FOX Sports: Arizona

No love for the top seed North Carolina it seems. Fanta likes the Wildcats out of the West as well, with a matchup against UNC in the Elite 8.

South Region:

USA Today: Houston

Eddie Timanus writes, "One at least has to consider Kentucky in the No. 3 position. When their many talented scorers get going, the Wildcats are capable of beating anyone. But in the end we can’t go against top-seeded Houston. Despite the Cougars getting outmuscled in the Big 12 finale, they’ve been remarkably consistent all season in the nation’s deepest conference, and their defense-first approach should serve them well in the pressure-packed environment of March Madness."

FOX Sports: Houston

Once again, we see a match. Houston has undoubtedly been one of the most consistent teams in college basketball. It's hard to argue against them. While teams like James Madison and NC State could make a run, they certainly wouldn't be much of a match for a team as talented and proven as Houston.

Midwest Region:

USA Today: Purdue

Steve Berkowitz writes, "Given that the other team in NCAA Tournament history to lose in the first round as a No. 1 seed — Virginia — came back to win the national championship the following year, also as a No. 1 seed, how can you resist this one?"

FOX Sports: Tennessee

Our first mismatch. This is arguably the closest of any of the regions. Creighton has been one of the best teams all year and for them to be listed as a No. 3 seed, seems remarkably disrespectful. Still, FOX Sports likes the Tennessee Volunteers out of this region, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers in the Elite 8.

Final Four :

USA Today: UConn

Paul Myerberg writes, "Anyone other than UConn winning the whole thing might be a big surprise, actually."

And it's hard to argue against him. UConn has been one of the deepest, most explosive, and most athletic teams we've seen in recent memory. Not only do they have the tools to reach the championship and win, but they clearly have the experience and know what it takes to do so.

FOX Sports: UConn

UConn seems to be the runaway favorite for most experts and it's hard to disagree. UConn has dominated nearly every opponent they've faced, and they've faced several strong opponents.

How to watch NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 2024

All games will be broadcast on CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV. Here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices.

How to watch: Catch March Madness with a Fubo subscription

NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 2024 Schedule

First Four

Round

Dates

Venue

City

First Four

March 19-20

UD Arena

Dayton, Ohio

First and Second Round

Round

Dates

Venue

City

First/Second

March 19-20

UD Arena

Dayton, Ohio

First/Second

March 22 -24

Barclays Center

Brooklyn. N.Y.

First/Second

March 21 - 23

Spectrum Center

Charlotte, N.C.

First/Second

March 22 - 24

Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indianapolis

First/Second

March 21 - 23

CHI Health Center

Omaha, Neb.

First/Second

March 21 -23

PPG Paints Arena

Pittsburgh

First/Second

March 21 - 23

Delta Center

Salt Lake City

First/Second

March 22 - 24

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Spokane, Wash.

First/Second

March 22 - 24

FedExForum

Memphis, Tenn.

Sweet 16 and Elite Eight

Round

Dates

Venue

City

East Regional

March 28 - 30

TD Garden

Boston

East Regional

March 28 - 30

TD Garden

Boston

South Regional

March 29 -31

American Airlines Center

Dallas

Midwest Regional

March 29 - 31

Little Caesars Arena

Detroit

West Regional

March 28 - 30

Crypto.com Arena

Los Angeles

Final Four

Round

Dates

Venue

City

Final Four

Saturday, April 6

State Farm Stadium

Glendale, Arizona

NCAA championship game

Round

Dates

Venue

City

NCAA championship game

Monday, April 8

State Farm Stadium

Glendale, Arizona

College Basketball News: When is the 2024 NIT? How to watch secondary men's college basketball tournament

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 March Madness predictions: Picks for NCAA tournament, Final Four