After taking a year off due to the pandemic, March Madness is back in 2021.

The 2021 tournament brackets are set for the NCAA’s big dance. March was mad last year for very different reasons than we are used to, but things are on track for a (mostly) normal NCAA tournament this season. The “First Four” games tipoff this Thursday, March 18th.

Multiple men and women’s teams have had to withdraw from conference tournaments due to health concerns including the Missouri State Lady Bears, who are all but a lock to make the tournament and want to keep it that way. Notably, Kansas and Virginia are having COVID issues in the men’s bracket.

Four teams: Louisville, Colorado State, St. Louis, and Mississippi did not make the cut but are on standby, ready to fill in and ensure the bracket starts with a full 68 teams. Any team that must miss essentially forfeits and their opponents move on.

Kansas and/or Virginia missing having to withdraw could have big implications for overall number one seeded Gonzaga, who looms in their same bracket. Gonzaga is a flawless 26-0 heading into the tournament. The other 1-seeds are; Baylor (22-2), Michigan (20-4), and Illinois (23-6).

This also marks the first year since 1976 that neither Duke nor Kentucky made the tournament. Hello, fresh faces.

Beginning March 18th and concluding on April 5th, March Madness is always one of the best stretches of the year for hoops fans and we at The Basketball Movement are excited to have it back. Games will be televised on TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV. Click the below link to see the full, printable bracket:

Check out the 2021 NCAA March Madness bracket here

Good luck to all the athletes participating (especially those we have had the pleasure of working with)! Basketball is close to a full recovery from a tough year or so. Keep checking back with The Basketball Movement blog as we break down the action round-by-round. Remember to follow us on Twitter for updates as well. Let the games begin!