March Madness 2024: Expert Picks for NCAA Tournament Final Four From Around the College Basketball World

Connecticut is a popular pick to repeat as national champion, but the Huskies are hardly a unanimous choice.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for college basketball fans, as both the men’s and women’s March Madness brackets were released on Sunday.

As millions of fans fill out their brackets with hopes of winning their NCAA tournament pools or simply earning bragging rights over friends and family, Sports Illustrated compiles expert picks for the men’s Final Four from notable pundits around the college basketball world.

Howard and Wagner will tip off this year’s tournament at the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, at 6:40 p.m. ET Tuesday. That game will be followed by a matchup between Colorado State and Virginia. The tournament begins in earnest Thursday at 12:15 p.m. ET when Michigan State and Mississippi State square off in Charlotte.

Without further ado, here’s a sampling of expert picks for the men’s Final Four and national championship. 

Note: Final Four picks are listed in order by region: East, West, South, Midwest

• March Madness 2024: News & Analysis | Schedule | Bracket
• Forde: 40 Things to Watch in NCAA Men’s Tournament
• Sweeney: 10 Teams That Could Make Cinderella Runs

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks

Pat Forde - Sports Illustrated

Final Four: UConn, Baylor, Houston, Creighton

National championship: UConn over Houston

Kevin Sweeney - Sports Illustrated

Final Four: Auburn, Baylor, Houston, Purdue

National championship: Purdue over Auburn

Jay Bilas - ESPN

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Purdue

National championship: UConn over Purdue

Dick Vitale - ESPN

Final Four: UConn, Baylor, Kentucky, Tennessee

National championship: Kentucky over UConn

Seth Greenberg - ESPN

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Kentucky, Purdue

National championship: UConn over Kentucky

Jay Williams - ESPN

Final Four: UConn, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee

National championship: UConn over Tennessee

Tom Crean - ESPN

Final Four: UConn, Mississippi State, Houston, Tennessee

National championship: UConn over Tennessee

Joe Lunardi - ESPN

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Tennessee

National championship: UConn over Houston

UConn and coach Dan Hurley are a popular pick to win it all again as they prepare to defend their 2023 national championship :: David Butler/USA TODAY Sports

Clark Kellogg - CBS Sports

Final Four: UConn, North Carolina, Kentucky, Purdue

National championship: UConn over Purdue

Seth Davis - CBS Sports

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Purdue

National championship: UConn over Houston

Jay Wright - CBS Sports

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Purdue

National championship: UConn over Houston

Jerry Palm - CBS Sports

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Purdue

National championship: Purdue over Arizona

John Fanta - Fox Sports

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Tennessee

National championship: UConn over Tennessee

Andy Katz - NCAA.com

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Kentucky, Purdue

National championship: UConn over Purdue

CJ Moore - The Athletic

Final Four: UConn, Alabama, Marquette, Purdue

National championship: UConn over Purdue

Dana O’Neil - The Athletic

Final Four: UConn, North Carolina, Kentucky, Purdue

National championship: Purdue over UConn

Nicole Auerbach - The Athletic

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Creighton

National championship: UConn over Creighton

Paul Myerberg - USA TODAY

Final Four: Iowa State, North Carolina, Houston, Creighton

National championship: Houston over Iowa State

Eddie Timanus - USA TODAY

Final Four: UConn, North Carolina, Houston, Purdue

National championship: UConn over Purdue

Dan Wolken - USA TODAY

Final Four: UConn, St. Mary’s, Houston, Creighton

National championship: UConn over Houston