March Madness is around the corner, and we all know what that means: time to pretend we know what we’re doing while creating our winning bracket in March Madness. Whether you’re the guy who studies stats like you’re preparing for a NASA launch or the friend who picks teams based on mascot cuteness, everyone has the same goal—winning that March Madness bracket.
But let’s be honest, most of us are going to be completely wrong. Upsets happen, Cinderella stories are born, and your entire bracket gets blown up by a team you’ve never even heard of. So how can you increase your odds of being the genius who wins it all?
Here are a few tips for filling out a winning March Madness bracket:
1. Don’t Overthink March Madness!
Whatever you do, don’t overthink the games. The more you study, the more you read, the more knowledge you think you have—it doesn’t matter. If you’re stuck on a pick, try using the tried-and-true “eeny meeny miny moe” method. And if you’re sure about a pick? Well, maybe go with the opposite. Just trust the chaos of March Madness.
2. Mascots: Who Would Win in a Fight?
This is a legitimate bracket strategy. Ask yourself: if the mascots fought in a cage match, who’d come out on top? A wildcat versus a bulldog? A husky versus a cardinal? If you’re not sure, refer to Tip #1 (random selection). At worst, it makes for great conversation when your bracket starts falling apart.
3. Your Favorite Color or Mascot
This might sound silly, but hear me out: people have won brackets with this strategy. If you’re a dog person, roll with the Bulldogs or Huskies. More of a cat person? Wildcats and Tigers are your go-to. Maybe you just love blue jerseys—teams like Kansas, Duke, and Kentucky are calling your name. Simple, effective, and stress-free.
4. Don’t Sleep on the Top Seeds… but Watch the 12-5 Matchups
Top seeds (1-3) are usually a safe bet, at least through the first couple of rounds. Don’t get cute and pick a 16-seed upset—it’s not happening again (sorry, UMBC fans). But here’s the wildcard: 12-seeds love to bust 5-seeds. It happens almost every year, so pick a couple of those pesky 12s to make a splash.
5. Winning Brackets Trust the Blue Bloods
Blue bloods are the royalty of college basketball. Think Kansas, Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, UCLA, and UConn. If you get to your Final Four and none of these teams are there, something’s off—start over. And if a blue blood is rocking a lower seed (like an 8 or worse)? Pencil them in for a deep run. It’s practically a law of March Madness.
6. Quantity Over Quality
If you want to maximize your chances of having a winning bracket, go for quantity. Don’t stop at one bracket—make five, six, or even ten. Sure, it’s chaotic, but watching multiple brackets crash and burn makes the victories even sweeter. Plus, you get bragging rights if one of your fifteen brackets actually hits.
Final Thought for a Winning Bracket
Winning a March Madness bracket isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about luck, strategy, and, let’s face it, embracing the madness. Whether you’re a stats nerd, a mascot enthusiast, or just here for the snacks, trust your gut, have fun, and enjoy the ride.
Because let’s be real: the best part of March Madness is telling everyone how close you were to winning… right before your bracket exploded.
BtL
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