Tag: March Madness

March Madness 101: How to Create the Perfect Bracket

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

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!

Reliving NCAA’s Final Four Magic: Iconic Moments and Shocking Upsets

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

Every spring, college basketball fans are treated to the electrifying spectacle of March Madness, culminating in the NCAA Final Four, where the last teams standing face off in a battle for the national championship title. The Final Four is high-stakes, drama-filled  games that feature underdog stories, historic rivalries, and the making of legends. Here, we’re going to take a nostalgic dive into some of the most memorable moments and upsets in Final Four history.

The Essence of the Final Four

The Final Four represents the pinnacle of college basketball excellence. Watched for the intense action and unpredictable outcomes, the series is the culmination of a tournament that sees 68 teams whittled down to just four. Watching the Final Four is a tradition that unites fans in die-hard support of their schools and the camaraderie of collegiate years.

The allure of the Final Four lies in its ability to script narratives that defy expectation. Monstrously talented powerhouses often find themselves pitted against scrappy underdogs, and sometimes, the underdogs come out on top in gloriously dramatic fashion. The competition and the emotional rollercoaster it provides keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Alumni unite at watch parties, students cheer from college campuses, and even those who haven’t attended a single game during the regular season find themselves devoutly tuned in. 

A Look Back at Final Four Classics

The storied history of the Final Four is rich with moments etched into the collective memory of sports fans. From epic clashes to buzzer-beaters that defy basketball physics, the match up has witnessed its fair share of unforgettable feats.

Bird Meets Magic

We’ll start with one that happened right here in Salt Lake City, back on March 26, 1979. It was here that Michigan State’s Magic Johnson and Indiana State’s Larry Bird met for the first time, as the two best players of the 1978-79 college basketball season. Both went on to historic careers in the NBA.

The Historic Upset of 1983

Perhaps no upset is as iconic as the 1983 Final Four, when North Carolina State shocked the college basketball world by overcoming the seemingly insurmountable University of Houston and the game’s Most Outstanding Player Hakeem Olajuwon. Often considered one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history, the buzzer-beating dunk by Lorenzo Charles off a 30-foot desperation shot by Dereck Whittenburg still rolls as historic NCAA tournament coverage today. Their victory remains a testament to the unpredictability and drama of March Madness.

The Miracle Minute of 2008

Fast forward to 2008, and the Kansas Jayhawks are on the precipice of defeat against the University of Memphis leading 60-51 with two minutes left in regulation. Kansas stages a dramatic comeback, including Mario Chalmers’ game-tying three-pointer that forced overtime. Kansas then held Memphis to five points to win its first national championship since 1988. It was a thrilling sequence that underscores the Final Four’s ability to deliver heart-stopping excitement against all odds.

Butler’s Near-Miss in 2010

Sometimes, it’s not victory but the valiant effort that sticks in the mind of sports fans. In 2010, underdog Butler University fought their way to the championship game, where they narrowly missed clinching the title against the Duke Blue Devils. The Bulldogs’ remarkable run, characterized by their stifling defense and the star power of Gordon Hayward, reminded the world that in March Madness, anything is possible.

Catch all of March Madness at Bout Time 

Watching the Final Four at your favorite Bout Time is a shared experience with fellow fans that amplifies the excitement of the event. Whether you’re about high-fiving strangers after a pivotal play or engaging in heated debates about game strategies, at Bout Time, the fan-centric atmosphere and hearty, scratch-made food come together to create the best environment for Final Four fanatics. With multiple screens broadcasting the games, you won’t miss a single moment of the action, from the pregame hype to the final buzzer.

The magic of the Final Four games is something to be celebrated and experienced. From the hardwood to the headlines, the Final Four leaves memories that resonate with fans long after March Madness ends.

March Madness Memories: Reliving the Best of the Past

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

March Madness, the culmination of college basketball, is a month filled with talent, nail-biting buzzer-beaters, sports strategy, and sheer tenacity. And once again, the madness is coming to Salt Lake City March 21-23 as Utah hosts the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

As we play our way through the brackets, let’s look back at previous season’s unforgettable moments where teams suffered the agony of defeat and triumph despite all odds. Whether you’re a die-hard college basketball fan or a casual sports enthusiast, read on as we relive some of the most mesmerizing moments.

Bracket Bound

Often decided by the slimmest of margins, the NCAA tournament encapsulates the very essence of what makes March Madness so captivating as we witness the drama unfold. 

The Sweet Sixteen is a pivotal round in the NCAA tournament where teams that have made it this far vie for a spot in the Elite Eight. It’s here that the best teams emerge, the biggest upsets happen, and the Final Four come into view as dreams are realized and dismantled on courts across the country. 

Unforgettable Matchups and Game Winners

Every fan has their own cherished March Madness memory, from buzzer-beaters to underdog triumphs. Here are a few that have etched themselves into the collective memory of college basketball:

In 2006, George Mason University put together the original NCAA Cinderella story. An 11th seed, the Patriots shocked the nation by reaching the Final Four. They came back from a regular-season defeat against Michigan State and then overtook reigning NCAA champions the North Carolina Tar Heels with a 65-60 win.

Next up was the Sweet Sixteen game against Wichita State, where four players scored double figures to win. George Mason’s improbable run symbolizes the heart and grit that’s always possible during March Madness.

In the NCAA National Championship game of 2016, Villanova faced off against the North Carolina Tar Heels in a historic matchup. With the game tied with 4.7 seconds left, Kris Jenkins tossed up a championship-winning three-pointer to win the National Championship 77-74. The shot is considered one of the greatest in NCAA tournament history and secured Villanova’s second title, with the first in 1985.

The East Region final of 1992 pitted the #1 Duke Blue Devils against the #2 seed Kentucky Wildcats. Down by one with 2.1 seconds to go in overtime, Christian Laettner hit a jumper to secure Duke’s victory. Known simply as ‘The Shot,’ the game was named the greatest college basketball game of all time by USA Today in 2002 and Sports Illustrated in 2004. ESPN ranks it as #17 on the top 100 sports moments. 

Get Set for March Madness

Every March Madness NCAA tournament showdown is ripe with bracket-busting possibilities and ready to give way to new legends and narratives that will be forever recorded through the annals of the sport. 

The thrill of March Madness is in its unpredictability, the heart-stopping action that makes college basketball so addictively engaging, and each year, it serves up a feast of heroic comebacks, game-winning plays, and remarkable upsets.

We invite you to tap into those memories, relive those moments, and share in the celebration of these collegiate athletes who, with each dribble, shot, and dunk, define what it means to play basketball in its purest form. 

As March Madness gets underway, who knows what monumental moments await, what new narratives will capture our imaginations, and what teams will etch their name into the history books. Whether you’re cheering from the Delta Center, your living room, or our nearest neighborhood location, we invite you to get into the madness with us! 

Bracket Busting Facts About the Final Four

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

Are you among the 58% of Americans watching college basketball? If so, you know that March Madness is the pinnacle of every college basketball season. But you might not know much about the history of this storied event.

Read on to learn some bracket-busting facts about the Final Four!

A Sports Broadcaster Coined March Madness 

That’s right — the phrase March Madness hasn’t been around forever. Longtime sports broadcaster Brent Musberger mentioned the phrase during a game in 1982, and the name caught on.

The only hitch? A high school state championship program had also laid claim to the phrase — starting in 1939. Fortunately, the NCAA and the high school sports program were granted permission to use March Madness!

Five Is an Unlucky Number

Earning a #5 seed in the tournament sounds like a solid ranking for a basketball program. Good luck winning the tournament, though!

That’s because there has never been a #5 seed to walk away with the trophy. And only three teams have ever advanced to the championship game with that seed.

Kansas City Has Hosted the Most Games

You might be surprised that this Midwestern city ranks at the top. But that’s largely because Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium, which dates back to 1935, scored nine hosting gigs between 1940 and 1964. Today, the Superdome in New Orleans tackles most of the Final Four hosting duties. 

The Courts Originate in Michigan

It makes sense to assume that the college basketball teams simply play on the given courts at a venue. But once again, there’s a surprising twist. The gleaming hardwood courts you see Final Four teams battle it out on are installed especially for the game.

Connor Sports sustainably sources the maple at its mill in Amasa, Michigan. Once the floors are processed and finished, they’re shipped to the courts for installation.

You’re Unlikely to Pick the Winning Teams

Have you been following college basketball all season? Even so, you’re probably not going to score a victory with your brackets. You’re better off entering the lottery if you hope to increase your winning odds. 

That said, a man chose the correct outcomes of the first 49 games in 2019. But that’s as far as he got!

1979’s Title Game Drew the Biggest Audience

If you’ve ordered a pizza with friends while watching a Final Four game in recent years, you may think you’re part of history. But the most-watched championship game on television wasn’t a recent one.

That’s understandable when you learn that the marquee players squaring off in 1979 were Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The Michigan State Spartans, led by Johnson, came out on top. 

Get Ready for the Final Four

When you tune in for the Final Four, you’ll be able to impress your friends with little-known facts about the tournament. You can talk about the special hardwood courts, the history of the term March Madness, and more. Plus, you’ll know better than to let a #5 seed ascend to the championship game when filling out your bracket.

Ready to enjoy some fantastic grub while you indulge in March basketball? Check us out for the best pub in town!

March Madness Predictions

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

March Madness is almost upon us this year, and with it comes the always-popular brackets that will likely pop up in our social circles and workplace discussions. These brackets are good fun (and not a bad way to bring home some extra cash), so they’re well worth joining.

However, if you haven’t been keeping up with college basketball, you might not feel secure in making some strong guesses this year. If you’re trying to secure your March Madness predictions, it’s best to get up to date with who the current favorites are. 

What do you need to know? What’s the latest in college sports? Read on, and we’ll walk you through the basics.

Whom Not To Include In Your Bracket

Choosing an eventual March Madness winner is always challenging, even for those well-versed in basketball. That’s part of the fun of the tournament – you never know what might happen.

What’s a little easier to predict possibly is who might be out of the competition early on. There are certain teams where it’s obvious this is a building year, and they’re not well positioned for serious competition. 

This year, there are four that many sports analysts agree you likely won’t see progressing too far. That would be Utah State, LSU, Wake Forest, and Southern California. 

These teams have performed poorly over the past season, with LSU slipping out of the rankings most recently.

Again, you never can predict who might be able to pull off a comeback… but smart money says you won’t put your weight behind these teams this year. 

Predicted Winners and Powerhouses

Let’s look at four teams that many analysts feel strongly about. Recently, NCAA’s Andy Katz put his push behind Kansas, Houston, Purdue, and Alabama as his four favorites this spring. 

Houston and Purdue ranked number one in the AP Poll this season, though Purdue’s recent loss to Rutgers pushed the Cougars to the top spot. 

These teams all collectively have only lost once or twice this season.

They are clearly primed, ready, and gunning to go for gold this March. They are the teams you’ll want to tune in and watch closely after completing your bracket.

They could go all the way – keep an eye on our events page for fun opportunities to come cheer on your favorites. 

March Madness Predictions for 2023

If you’re looking to make a strong bracket for this year’s March Madness, you’ll want to be well-versed in the current standings of the college basketball leagues. The above information can help fill you in on what teams have performed well this season – and which haven’t. 

Remember, these are just predictions! No one knows for sure what will happen once the action begins. 

Need a perfect place to gather with friends and watch the game? Grab a seat at one of our tables – find a pub location near you.