How To Fill Out Your Bracket!
When filling out your tournament, it’s easy to overcomplicate things. You might be tempted to pick a team based on their past tournament performance. Maybe you choose them because of the coach they have.
I have even made tournament picks based on location. Even though these are neutral courts, many teams have a clear advantage in large part to their traveling fanbase.
I’m going to give you 10 strategies that are guaranteed to help you find success with your bracket, and help you win your bracket challenge with friends, or at the workplace.
10. When in doubt, go with your gut and eyes
Most of the people filling out brackets did not watch much college basketball throughout the season. That’s ok! Just don’t try and convince yourself that you are an expert.
If you are undecided on a certain pick, use your gut and follow the eye test. Analytics are great, but the tournament is all about matchups. Use the eye test and pick the team that you believe is better.
9. The Champion will be a #1, #2, or, #3 seed
20 of the last 21 National Champions have been a top #3 seed. So there’s no reason for you to go against this trend this year.
As tempting as it might be to pick Iowa or Illinois to cut down the nets, don’t do it. It isn’t going to happen this year.
8. Size Matter
Most of the matchups in the tournament will feature 2 teams who are relatively equal in size. Those games typically come down to which team gets better guard play.
However, there are a few teams in this tournament that have a dominant big man that should help them win at least a game or two. Kofi Cockburn of Illinois comes to mind, as does Zach Edey of Purdue, and Walker Kessler of Auburn.
These teams should continue to advance until they face an opponent that can neutralize their size.
7. Last 10 games have meaning
Taking the last 10 games of the season into account will give you an idea of which teams are playing their best basketball at the right time.
