Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Tournament 2021: Illinois, West Virginia headlines Midwest Region

By Andrew Tineo

Feb 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Quentin Grimes (24) smiles after a play during the first half against the South Florida Bulls at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Quentin Grimes (24) smiles after a play during the first half against the South Florida Bulls at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
NCAA Tournament Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Tournament Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

(1) Illinois vs. (16) Drexel

Drexel is one of the very few Mid-Major that did not rely on experience to win the conference and make the NCAA’s. They only have two seniors in the main rotations and a few sophomores. The leading scorer for the Dragons comes from junior guard Camren Wynter. The Dragons got through the tournament with a 10-18 three-point shooting performance against Elon in the CAA Finals.

The Dragons distribute the ball well, as they lead the conference in assists and don’t turn the ball over often, at just 12.9 per game. The Dragons also hit the three-point shot well, ranking 41st in the country at 37%. Wynter is the most consistent in that regard at 42.5%

For Illinois, they have Final Four aspirations. Anything less than that would be considered a failure for the Big 10 tournament champions. The duo of Dosunmu and Cockburn has been the most discussed-about duo in the conference and will continue their dominance on Drexel. TJ Bickerstaff will have the job of attempting to guard Cockburn down low. Illinois rolls in the first game, with not much trouble.

Illinois wins

(8) Loyola Chicago vs. (9) Georgia Tech

Quite possibly the best matchup of the first round, Loyola and Georgia Tech are on a collision course for a fantastic game. Georgia Tech has been a complete 180 as Josh Pastner has the Yellow Jackets in the tournament for the first time since 2009-2010.

Wright is the ACC Player of the Year and Jose Alvarado was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. If there is one word to describe the Yellow Jackets, it’s scrappy. The guards force turnovers at an incredibly high rate, led by Alvarado with three steals per game. He had five of the teams 15 in their ACC title win over Florida State.

Loyola is no slouch in their own regard, with the best points per game against in the entire country, alongside ranking 47th in three-point percentage, at 36.8%

In a scrappy and defensive game, Georgia Tech skates by the Ramblers. Although the chance of an upset is very reasonable, Georgia Tech has just a little too much momentum.

Georgia Tech wins

Home/NCAA Basketball News