Obama’s NCAA brackets are kind to both Gamecock teams. Clemson? Not so much

President Barack Obama, a longtime hoops fan, has released his annual predictions for this year’s NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

He’s expecting a great finish for one local team, a solid run for another and a disappointing first-round upset for a third.

Obama’s women’s bracket has coach Dawn Staley’s undefeated South Carolina squad winning the national championship over Iowa and star guard Caitlin Clark in Cleveland.

The Gamecocks (32-0) are the No. 1 seed in the Albany 1 Region and the heavy favorite to win the national championship after going undefeated for a second straight season and sweeping the SEC regular season and tournament titles.

For his men’s bracket, Obama is also predicting a solid run for the South Carolina men’s basketball, which is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017 and only its third this century.

Obama has the No. 6 seed Gamecocks and coach Lamont Paris winning in the first round against No. 11 Oregon and upsetting No. 3 Creighton in the second round before losing to No. 2 Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

Obama’s not as hot on the Clemson men’s basketball, which is also a No. 6 seed but currently a 2-point underdog to No. 11 New Mexico in its first-round game. Obama has the Lobos pulling off the upset.

College of Charleston is also in the NCAA Tournament after winning a second straight CAA conference championship. Obama has the No. 13 Cougars, led by coach Pat Kelsey, losing to No. 4 Alabama in the first round.