March is here, and for college basketball fans, that means one thing—March Madness! What does that mean for basketball followers new to the scene? Bracket time, of course. March Madness is the perfect time to get into the excitement of filling out a bracket—fueled by strategy, luck, and college basketball determination. Every buzzer-beater and upset plays into creating the perfect bracket—and we’ve got the play-by-play to build a slam dunk bracket.
What is March Madness?
March Madness refers to the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments held every spring. The best 68 college basketball teams compete in a single-elimination game to crown the national champion in these tournaments. Games are held throughout March and early April, and rankings, upsets, and underdog victories dominate sports conversations across the U.S.
Even the casual basketball observer can enjoy filling out a bracket and predicting which teams will advance and potentially win the championship. It’s one of the most exciting March traditions, and everyone can participate.
How College Basketball Brackets Work
Start with looking at the March Madness games as a tree with 68 branches. The brackets represent the tournament structure, with each match-up determined in advance. Then, you predict the winners in every game until the championship game.
Here are some bracket basics to know before you start filling yours out:
- The Seeds: Teams are ranked or “seeded” within four geographic regions, from #1 (the strongest team) to #16 (the perceived underdog).
- First Four: The tournament starts with four play-in games, but the real action begins during the Round of 64.
- Single Elimination: One loss, and a team is out for the season, leading to plenty of dramatic upsets and Cinderella stories.
- Advance Through Rounds: As teams win, they move to the next round—the Round of 32, Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four, and finally, the National Championship.
The objective? Predict as many winners as possible within your bracket—ideally without busting your championship contenders—with each correctly guessed game earning points. Winning the year’s bracket is difficult but comes with lots of fun as you consider the more than 9 quintillion possible bracket combinations.
How to Pick the Best Bracket to Win
1. Understand the Favorites and Underdogs
Start by studying the seeds. Statistically, #1 seeds have the best odds of advancing in the tournament. However, Cinderella stories—when a low-seeded team defies the odds—are what make March Madness thrilling. While picking higher seeds for early rounds is smart, expect a few upsets. Teams seeded #10 through #12 often win first-round games against their higher-ranked opponents.
2. Do Your Research
While luck plays a big role, informed choices can improve your chances. Keep these in mind:
- Team Performance: Check out teams’ season win/loss records and performance against strong opponents.
- Key Players: Look for teams with star players; they tend to shine during high-pressure games or change the game if injured.
- Matchup Histories: Has a particular team struggled against defensive-minded opponents in the past? Matchups matter.
3. Balance Chalk Picks and Upsets
- Chalk Picks: These are “safe bets,” where you pick higher-seeded teams to advance. On average, most tournament champions are #1 seeds.
- Strategic Upsets: Predicting a few key upsets in the earlier rounds can make your bracket bust-proof. Consider lower-seeded teams capable of surprises—they often have grit and momentum on their side.
4. Don’t Overthink the Final Four
By the time your bracket reaches the Final Four, focus on a balanced mix of high and mid-seeded teams. Historical data shows that not all Final Four participants are top seeds. Usually, you’ll see one or two teams ranked #4 or lower in this round. Avoid overloading your predictions with long-shot teams, as it’s rare for them to reach the championship.
5. Remember the Fun Factor
Finally, don’t stress out trying to build a perfect bracket—it’s almost impossible—and that’s what makes the unpredictability of March Madness so much fun. Make that bold pick if you feel strongly about a dark horse team, a college, or a particular player—it will make the action more exciting when watching the game. Even if your bracket falls apart, you can still enjoy cheering for the winners, upsets, dramatic comebacks, and nail-biting finishes at your favorite neighborhood Bout Time.
Get Into the Madness
Filling out your March Madness bracket is the ultimate mix of strategy and luck. Rely on some data in your strategy while leaving room for a little personal preference and definitely some madness along the way. The excitement of watching your picks play out over a great burger with friends is worth every second, and watching your national champion cut down the nets could be a new season highlight!
