Former President Barack Obama unveiled his 2021 predictions for the NCAA Division I men and womenâs basketball tournaments beginning Thursday.
âLike many of you, Iâm thrilled that is finally back,â Obama wrote on Twitter on Thursday along with his predictions.
For the menâs tournament, Obama picked Gonzaga University, University of Michigan, Baylor University and the University of Illinois to make it to the final four.
He ultimately chose Gonzaga University as the winner of the menâs tournament.
For the womenâs tournament he predicted Baylor University, Stanford University, the University of Maryland and North Carolina State University to make it to the final four with Baylor ultimately taking the title.
The NCAA canceled the tournaments last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
âThis decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities,â the NCAA said in a statement.
Brett Gavitt, the NCAAâs senior vice president of basketball, announced teams only need five healthy players to play.
âWe decided if they had five players eligible and healthyâ the teams could play.
âWe wrestled with contingencies, and thought it was fairest for a team that earned its way, that even if it was compromised, they should have the opportunity to play rather than be replaced,â Gavitt added.
