It’s that time of year again - the NCAA Tournament is upon us! Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or just enjoy the excitement of filling out a bracket, we’ve got you covered. So grab your friends, family, and coworkers - and let the madness begin!
Printable Bracket
First things first - you need a bracket! Luckily, we’ve found the perfect one for you. This printable bracket is easy to read and includes all 68 teams in the tournament. Simply click the link above to download and print it out. And don’t forget to make your picks before March Madness officially begins!
Blank Bracket
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try filling out a blank bracket? This allows you to make your own predictions without any preconceived notions. Plus, you can customize it to your liking with colors, stickers, or even drawings. Get creative and have fun with it!
Fillable Bracket
If you prefer a more digital approach, check out this fillable bracket. You can type in your picks and save it to your computer or smartphone. This makes it easy to share with friends or use in online bracket challenges. Plus, you won’t have to worry about messy handwriting or erasing mistakes.
Bracket Strategy
Now that you have your bracket, it’s time to make your picks. But how do you choose which teams will advance? Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Seedings: The NCAA Tournament is structured so that the higher-seeded team plays the lower-seeded team. In general, the higher seed has a better chance of winning - so it’s usually a safe bet to pick them.
- Upsets: That being said, upsets happen all the time in March Madness. Keep an eye out for mid-major teams that have a history of success in the tournament, or for highly-ranked teams that are struggling with injuries or fatigue.
- Stats: If you’re a numbers person, there are plenty of statistics to consider when making your picks. Look at a team’s offensive and defensive efficiency, their strength of schedule, and their record against top-ranked teams.
- Gut Feeling: And finally, don’t discount your own intuition. Sometimes a team just has that intangible quality that makes them hard to beat. Trust your instincts - it could pay off in the end.
Bracket Challenges
Of course, the best part of filling out a bracket is the friendly competition that comes along with it. Here are a few ways to spice up your NCAA Tournament experience:
- Office Pool: Gather your coworkers and create an office pool. Each person can fill out their own bracket, and the winner gets bragging rights (and maybe even a prize).
- Online Challenge: Participate in an online bracket challenge with friends, family, or even complete strangers. Websites like ESPN, Yahoo, and CBS offer free bracket challenges with prizes for the winners.
- Bracket Bets: Take things up a notch by placing bets on your picks. Whether it’s a friendly wager or a more serious one, adding a little money to the mix can make things more exciting (and maybe even profitable).
March Madness Fun Facts
Finally, here are a few fun facts to impress your friends with during the tournament:
- The term “March Madness” was first used to describe the high school basketball tournament in Illinois in 1939.
- The number 12 seed has upset the number 5 seed in over 46% of NCAA Tournament games.
- The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has won the most NCAA basketball championships with 11.
- In 2018, the tournament generated over $1.3 billion in ad revenue, making it one of the most lucrative sporting events in the world.
So there you have it - everything you need to know to make the most of March Madness. Good luck with your picks - and may the odds be ever in your favor!
