March Madness 2023 bracket predictions: Picks for Final Four, National Champion

March Madness bracket predictions: Final Four and National Championship

Final Four: 1 Alabama vs. 6 Kentucky

And now we come to the point where Tshiebwe becomes an issue for Kentucky. As mentioned, Charles Bediako and Noah Clowney are a great frontcourt duo for Alabama and they can negate Tshiebwe’s biggest strength on the boards. When you then take into account that Kentucky doesn’t have the forwards to really match up with the Crimson Tide wings, it’s no wonder the Wildcats lost this matchup by 26 points in the regular season.

Pick: Alabama advances

Final Four: 4 Indiana vs. 1 Kansas

This is another rematch from a regular-season contest and, unfortunately for fans, this one was also a blowout as Kansas beat Indiana by 22 points earlier in the season. Indiana is playing better, smarter basketball since then, but the Jayhawks have also improved. While I would expect the Hoosiers to put up a bigger fight and for Trayce Jackson-Davis to put forth a big outing, I don’t think Kansas is going down with the way they can exploit Mike Woodson’s team from so many different angles.

Pick: Kansas advances

National Championship Game: 1 Alabama vs. 1 Kansas

After all of that chaos, of course it’s going to be two No. 1 seeds matching up to try and earn the right to cut down the nets. But really, it’s fitting. These have been arguably the two best teams in college basketball all year long and, critically, they’ve proven it time and again.

For as good and star-powered as Kansas is, though, Alabama just looks like a bad matchup. Nate Oats’ team has size on the interior that the Jayhawks don’t and guys like Brandon Miller are just tough to hang with given the personnel on Bill Self’s roster.

I don’t expect this game to be one-sided, and it feels a bit awkward given the circumstances of this season with Alabama basketball, but they’re the best team in college basketball and they will unequivocally prove that on Monday, April 3.

National Champion Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide

First Four | South First Round | East First Round | Midwest First Round | West First Round | South and East Second Round | Midwest and West Second Round | Sweet 16 | Elite Eight

For more NCAA basketball and March Madness news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.