A year ago today, the NCAA Tournament Selection Show had been cancelled as the COVID-19 pandemic ripped out the hearts of all college basketball fans around the country. It was a depressing time, to be sure. Flash forward to today, and the regular season and SEC Tournament champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide, will be laid back, straight chillin, waiting to hear its name called by Greg Gumbel and company. What a difference a year makes.

Its pure euphoria in the Crimson Tide locker room right now, and for good reason, as the recently crowned champs get ready to turn the page to the biggest and best sporting event the country has to offer. For only the third time in the past 15 years, Alabama will be participating in March Madness. And not just in a fleeting manner. If the Tide continue to play like the guys did this weekend, they will be around for a while, much longer than the previous few trips.

Despite sweeping both SEC titles (the only Power Six program to do so this year), I don’t think Alabama will be able to dislodge the current top four on the one-line. Gonzaga, Baylor, Illinois, and Michigan will be your top seeds. The Tide’s uneven 5-4 non-conference performance can be blamed for that. Still, Alabama should be a lock for a 2-seed, which is a fantastic starting point for a deep tournament run. It’ll also be a tie for the highest seed the Tide has ever received.

Enjoy it folks. Few thought this day would come. Your unquestioned SEC Champions will be a top-seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Let’s find out the details together. The show begins at 5:00 PM CDT and will be televised, as it always is, on CBS.

My Bracket Projection

• 1-seeds: Gonzaga, Baylor, Illinois, Michigan
• 2-seeds: Alabama, Ohio State, Iowa, Texas
• 3-seeds: Houston, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Arkansas
• 4-seeds: West Virginia, Purdue, Florida State, Virginia
• 5-seeds: Villanova, Creighton, Tennessee, USC
• 6-seeds: Texas Tech, Missouri, Colorado, LSU
• 7-seeds: Oregon, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Florida
• 8-seeds: North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia Tech, UConn
• 9-seeds: San Diego State, BYU, Georgia Tech, Maryland
• 10-seeds: Saint Bonaventure, VCU, Rutgers, Michigan State
• 11-seeds: Loyola (CHI), Louisville, Syracuse*, UCLA*, Wichita State*, Drake*
• 12-seeds: Oregon State, Georgetown, Winthrop, Liberty
• 13-seeds: Ohio, UNC-Greensboro, North Texas, UC-Santa Barbara
• 14-seeds: Morehead State, Abilene Christian, Colgate, Eastern Washington
• 15-seeds: Grand Canyon, Cleveland State, Oral Roberts, Drexel
• 16-seeds: Iona, Hartford, Mount Saint Mary’s*, Appalachian State*, Norfolk State*, Texas Southern*
• First Four Out: Utah State, Ole Miss, Colorado State, Xavier

*Denotes First Four Match-ups