If you liked the No. 1 teams this year, you weren't alone.
When it comes to Final Four picks, Bracket Challenge Game players picked the combination of the four No. 1 seeds more than any other.
No. 1 seeds Gonzaga, Michigan, Baylor and Illinois made the Final Four together in 8.04 percent of BCG brackets. As a sign of how popular Gonzaga was with users, the Bulldogs found themselves in the top 9 most popular Final Four combos.
UPDATES: We're tracking all perfect brackets in the 2021 NCAA tournament
The first one that doesn't have Gonzaga on the list? That's the No. 10 most popular combination, with No. 2 Iowa joined with No. 1 Michigan, No. 1 Illinois and No. 2 Ohio State, with this group at 1.22 percent. Gonzaga's popularity here makes sense — the Bulldogs are the most popular national champion pick this year by BCG users, too.
Some other things that stand out:
- Houston is the first non-No. 1 seed to be on the most-popular combo list. The Cougars are with Gonzaga, Michigan and Baylor on the second-most popular combination at 7.80 percent.
- Texas is the first No. 3 seed here. The Longhorns are part of the fifth-most popular combination, at 3.40 percent.
- The first combo that has fewer than three No. 1 seeds consists of No. 2 seeds Alabama and Ohio State joining with Gonzaga and Illinois. This is the sixth-most popular combination at 2.67 percent.
- Florida State is the most popular fourth seed, at least on this list. The Seminoles are with Gonzaga, Baylor and Illinois on the ninth-most popular Final Four combination.
Here's a look at the most popular Final Four combos:
Teams combo | Percentage |
---|---|
(1) Gonzaga, (1) Michigan, (1) Baylor, (1) Illinois | 8.04 |
(1) Gonzaga, (1) Michigan, (1) Baylor, (2) Houston | 7.80 |
(1) Gonzaga, (2) Alabama, (1) Baylor, (1) Illinois | 5.33 |
(1) Gonzaga, (1) Michigan, (2) Ohio State, (1) Illinois | 4.17 |
(1) Gonzaga, (3) Texas, (1) Baylor, (1) Illinois | 3.40 |
(1) Gonzaga, (2) Alabama, (2) Ohio State, (1) Illinois | 2.67 |
(1) Gonzaga, (3) Texas, (2) Ohio State, (1) Illinois | 2.21 |
(1) Gonzaga, (2) Alabama, (1) Baylor, (2) Houston | 1.99 |
(1) Gonzaga, (4) Florida State, (1) Baylor, (2) Illinois | 1.38 |
(2) Iowa, (1) Michigan, (2) Ohio State, (1) Illinois | 1.22 |