Tips for Filling Out a Winning NCAA Tournament Bracket

TLDRLearn seven tips to help you fill out a better bracket for the NCAA tournament, including picking the final four first, not selecting a 16 seed, and picking between 10 and 16 upsets.

Key insights

🏀Start by picking the final four first to increase scoring potential.

🤞Avoid picking a 16 seed to win in the first round, as the chances are extremely low.

🏆Don't always go with the one seeds; history shows that upsets happen.

🎒Pick between 10 and 16 total upsets for a balanced bracket.

🐶Dogs have a slight edge over cats in mascot showdowns, so pick based on that if you want.

Q&A

Should I start picking my bracket from the first round?

No, start by picking the final four first to maximize your scoring potential.

Is it worth picking a 16 seed to win in the first round?

It's not recommended, as no 16 seed has ever won in the history of the tournament.

Should I pick all the one seeds to make it to the Final Four?

No, while one seeds have the highest chance, it's good to include some upsets in your bracket.

How many upsets should I pick in my bracket?

Pick between 10 and 16 upsets for a balanced bracket.

Does the mascot showdown affect the outcome of the games?

It's a fun element to consider, and historically, dogs have had a slight edge over cats.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Filling out an NCAA tournament bracket can be challenging with 63 games and countless combinations.

00:16Start by picking the final four first to maximize your scoring potential.

01:15Avoid picking a 16 seed to win in the first round, as the chances are extremely low.

01:54Don't always go with the one seeds; including some upsets can make your bracket more interesting.

02:56Pick between 10 and 16 total upsets for a balanced bracket.

03:22Consider the mascot showdowns and go with dogs, as historically, they have had a slight edge over cats.

03:44Avoid picking a 16 seed to win in the first round; it's just not worth it.