March Madness 2021: 10 best potential games we’re looking forward to watching

These 10 potential games could make March Madness one of the best things to happen so far in 2021.

There are so many fun aspects of March Madness that it feels like people forget how fun just watching the games can be. Trying to fill out the perfect NCAA Tournament bracket or arguing about how the selection committee messed up is fun for a day or two, but the real fun is when the games get going.

There are a lot of good games on tap for the first round of March Madness and plenty of exciting matchups that could happen down the line. Let’s take a look at the ten best potential games we could see over the next few weeks, beginning with a potentially epic national title game.

10 best potential games in March Madness

10. Virginia vs. Ohio – Round of 64, West Region

The defending national champs have a very difficult first-round draw against Ohio, which features a legitimate NBA prospect in guard Jason Preston. A 6-foot-4 junior, Preston has been the catalyst for the Bobcats, who average 80 points a game, have five players averaging double-figures and shoot 36 percent from beyond the arc. Ohio lost by two at Illinois early this season and is more than capable of sending the Cavaliers home early.

9. LSU vs. St. Bonaventure – Round of 64, East Region

Like the potential UNC-Baylor matchup, this is a contrast in styles as LSU relies on its explosive offense while St. Bonaventure is a rugged defensive team. That clash will be fascinating but the Tigers’ defense will need to find a way to make enough stops against the Bonnies to pull this game out. The winner here would draw Michigan in the Round of 32 and could have a shot at the upset if the Wolverines don’t have Livers available.

8. Baylor vs. North Carolina – Round of 32, South Region

Finding contrasting styles is a key to interesting NCAA Tournament matchups and North Carolina is a true throwback team. The Tar Heels like to play with their back to the basket, relying on its depth in the frontcourt to control the paint and slow the tempo down. Baylor is a team that is at its best when it can get up and down the floor, making this a game where whoever dictates tempo could determine the winner.

7. Illinois vs. Loyola-Chicago – Round of 32, Midwest Region

A little in-state rivalry could make a second-round matchup between the Fighting Illini and Ramblers incredibly dramatic. Loyola-Chicago profiles as a Top 10 team according to advanced metrics so this could be an incredibly stiff test for Illinois. The battle down low between Cockburn and Cameron Krutwig will also be worth the price of admission.

6. Alabama vs. Texas – Sweet 16, East Region

Seeing these two traditional football schools mixing it up on the hardwood should be a lot of fun. Alabama can shoot the lights out while playing lockdown defense. The Longhorns are capable of matching up with anyone due to their unique combination of length and athleticism so this showdown could be a treat.

5. Michigan vs. Florida State – Sweet 16, East Region

The Wolverines enter the NCAA Tournament vulnerable with Isaiah Livers’ availability an open question. Even if Livers is able to suit up Michigan could have its hands full in the Sweet 16 with Florida State, which was one of the ACC’s best teams down the stretch. The incredible depth that Leonard Hamilton’s team possesses could make life quite difficult for Michigan.

4. Illinois vs. Oklahoma State – Sweet 16, Midwest Region

This Sweet 16 matchup would feature two of the country’s best guards in Ayo Dosunmu and Cade Cunningham. Oklahoma State has become a dangerous team thanks to its prodigious freshman point guard, who is the front-runner to be the top pick in June’s NBA Draft, while Dosunmu has become a Batman-like presence for the Illini. Watching those two go head-to-head will be a ton of fun.

3. Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia – Elite Eight, Midwest Region

The past two matchups between Oklahoma State and West Virginia have been thrillers that the Cowboys won, including one without Cunningham. A meeting in the Elite Eight would be the fourth meeting of the year between the two Big 12 rivals that could deliver epic theater. Sign us up for some tremendous drama between the Mountaineers and Cowboys.

2. Gonzaga vs. Illinois – National Championship Game

Seeing Gonzaga take on Baylor would be incredible stuff but this matchup with Illinois would rank a close second. The Fighting Illini finished the season on a tear, ripping off 14 wins in their final 15 games, a run that includes a pair of wins over Michigan and Ohio State. Seeing Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn square off against Jalen Suggs and Corey Kispert would be quite the treat.

1. Gonzaga vs. Baylor – National Championship Game

It’s rare that we get to see the two best teams in the country square off in the national championship game and there is no question that Gonzaga and Baylor have been the two best teams all season long. The two schools did agree to schedule a marquee matchup during the regular season but it was canceled due to COVID issues within the Bulldogs’ program. Getting a chance to settle the Gonzaga-Baylor debate would be an epic conclusion to the NCAA Tournament.

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