CBS analysts make their Final Four predictions for 2024 NCAA Tournament

The complete NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday evening, and the picks for a champion are already flowing in. CBS had its panel of expert analysts chime in on short notice, immediately after receiving the bracket.

Their analysis: The lowest-seeded teams are going to win out in this year’s tournament.

A panel of Seth Davis, Clark Kellogg and Jay Wright made their picks, and the trio had a whole lot in common. Each of the three had UConn and Purdue in their Final Four, while all three picked UConn to repeat as national champions.

While that certainly wouldn’t make for a surprise, it would be a departure from last year’s tournament, which had plenty of upsets and a handful of higher seeds reach the Final Four.

Kellogg alluded to that in providing his NCAA Tournament picks.

“The aggregate number of the seeds in the Final Four last year was 23,” he noted. “We had a five, a four. I’ve got UConn, North Carolina, Purdue and Kentucky. I like Purdue and UConn in the final and the Huskies to repeat.”

Clark Kellogg’s Final Four

UConn vs. North Carolina
Kentucky vs. Purdue
Champion: UConn over Purdue

Davis, meanwhile, noted that he was pulling for Purdue to make a big splash after last year’s embarrassing exit. But while he has the Boilermakers in the Final Four, that’s where he sees the run ending.

“Well I’m going chalky here for the Final Four, I admit it,” Davis said. “I’ve got UConn, I got Arizona, I got Houston. I’m being honest, I’m picking this one with my heart, I want (Purdue) to go so bad but Creighton and Tennessee scare me. These have been the best two teams all season long, UConn and Houston. I tried to talk myself out of UConn just to be different from everybody else, but there’s a reason everyone’s going to be picking UConn. I’m picking them too, they’re the best team in the country.

Seth Davis’ Final Four

Uconn vs. Arizona
Houston vs. Purdue
Champion: UConn over Houston

Former Villanova coach Jay Wright, who knows a thing or two about navigating the NCAA Tournament and winning a national championship, chimed in last with his picks.

“This is crazy, I feel bad for everybody that we’re all going with the chalk as much as it is,” he said. “I’m rooting for Purdue, but I’ve got Houston getting past them and I just can’t see anybody beating UConn in this tournament.”

Jay Wright’s Final Four

UConn vs. Arizona
Houston vs. Purdue
Champion: UConn over Houston