Source: clipart-library.com

Happy Selection Sunday to everyone out there! We are quickly closing in on the unveiling of the 2021 NCAA tournament bracket. Earlier today I released my final set of NCAA tournament projections, including last 4 in, first 4 out and so on. Now, I've got my official bracket reveal. Here is how I see the 2021 NCAA tournament bracket, complete with all of the first round pairings.

A few quick notes on this year's tournament before I unveil my official bracket. The entire tournament is being contested in the state of Indiana to minimize travel concerns, and create a "bubble"-type atmosphere to hopefully limit potential Covid-19 issues.

Due to this, the 4 regions aren't labeled by their typical geographical demographics (i.e. East, West, Midwest, South, etc.). Instead, they are just labeled Region 1, 2, 3, & 4. Since their aren't the traditional geographic regions, that also means each region & matchups did not have to take into account a west coast team playing an east coast team, or pacific northwest team playing a southeastern team, etc, since all games will take place within 4 or so locations in Indiana. (Indiana University, Butler, etc. will be used for locations.)

With that tidbit of info, here is how I see the 2021 NCAA Tournament Bracket, ahead of the official "unveiling" later today:

2021 NCAA TOURNAMENT @sportsguychris BRACKETOLOGY

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REGION 1

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Source: slipperstillfits.com / Gonzaga is an easy choice as the top overall seed after finishing up a perfect 26-0 heading into the tournament.

1 GONZAGA (26-0) ✩

16 APPALACHIAN STATE (17-11) ✩ / MOUNT ST. MARY'S (12-10) ✩

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8 UCONN (15-7)

9 FLORIDA (14-9)

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5 TENNESSEE (18-8)

12 UCSB (22-4) ✩

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4 FLORIDA STATE (16-6)

13 LIBERTY (23-5) ✩

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3 TEXAS (19-7) ✩

14 EASTERN WA (16-7) ✩

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6 LOYOLA CHI (24-4) ✩

11 UTAH STATE (20-8)

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7 OREGON (20-6)

10 MICHIGAN STATE (15-12)

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2 OKLAHOMA STATE (20-8)

15 GRAND CANYON (16-6) ✩

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REGION 2

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Source: sportslogos.net / Michigan is the final 1-seed in the field. Can Juwan Howard lead the Wolverines back to March Madness glory - this time as a coach? (The Wolverines made the NCAA Title game twice while Howard was a member of the "Fab Five" as a player.)

1 MICHIGAN (20-4)

16 IONA (12-5) ✩

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8 WISCONSIN (17-12)

9 NORTH CAROLINA (18-10)

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5 COLORADO (22-8)

12 WINTHROP (23-1) ✩

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4 VIRGINIA (18-7)

13 NORTH TEXAS (17-9) ✩

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3 ARKANSAS (22-6)

14 OHIO (16-7) ✩

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6 CREIGHTON (20-8)

11 LOUISVILLE (13-7) / COLORADO STATE (18-6)

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7 LSU (18-9)

10 RUTGERS (15-11)

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2 IOWA (21-8)

15 DREXEL (12-7) ✩

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REGION 3

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Source: sportslogos.net / No team has been hotter over the past month than the Fighting Illini. Illinois is in the Big TEN title game, and passed Michigan on the 1-line.

1 ILLINOIS (22-6)

16 NORFOLK STATE (16-7) ✩ / TX SOUTHERN (16-8) ✩

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8 CLEMSON (16-7)

9 OKLAHOMA (15-10)

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5 VILLANOVA (16-6)

12 OREGON STATE (17-12) ✩

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4 WEST VIRGINIA (18-9)

13 MOREHEAD STATE (23-7) ✩

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3 KANSAS (20-8)

14 CLEVELAND STATE (19-7) ✩

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6 SAN DIEGO STATE (23-4) ✩

11 DRAKE (25-4) / UCLA (17-9)

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7 BYU (20-6)

10 MARYLAND (16-13)

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2 OHIO STATE (21-8)

15 HARTFORD (15-8) ✩

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REGION 4

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Source: ourdailybears.com / Baylor is the second of the 1-seeds after finishing up 22-2. The Bears are the top seed in Region 4.

1 BAYLOR (22-2)

16 ORAL ROBERTS (16-10) ✩

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8 ST. BONAVENTURE (16-4) ☆

9 GEORGIA TECH (17-8) ✩

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5 TEXAS TECH (17-10)

12 GEORGETOWN (13-12) ✩

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4 PURDUE (18-9)

13 ABILENE CHRI (23-3) ✩

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3 HOUSTON (23-3)

14 COLGATE (14-1) ☆

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6 USC (22-7)

11 VCU (19-7)

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7 MISSOURI (15-9)

10 VIRGINIA TECH (15-6)

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2 ALABAMA (24-6) ☆

15 UNCG (21-8) ✩

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✩ = Conference Tournament Champion; Automatic Bid

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Thank you for the support as always. You can find me on IG & YouTube at @sportsguychris and be sure to check out my podcast with my good buddy Mikee:

"The Balls and Beards Podcast" available on Spotify, Apple Pocketcasts, Google Podcasts, Anchor, and Breaker! We keep you up to date on everything in the world of the NFL & NBA!