(March 14th, 2022)- Ahhhh...it is my favorite time of the year. IT. IS. MARCH. The 2022 Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament is upon us once again. As far as sports go, there's not much better in my eyes. From the anticipation of“Selection Sunday," filling out dozens of random mascot and coin-flip brackets, and finally the first weekend of endless college basketball. We love to see it!
This year's installment of March Madness is sure to be complete INSANITY once again. Last year, we saw the most upsets EVER in the men's tournament. I think that this bracket is as wide open as it's been in quite a while with several enticing matchups on the horizon. I have the answers to all your questions about the big dance. Who is primed to pull off a massive upset? Will you be getting a perfect bracket (no)? Can your favorite team make a run? Who will be cutting down the nets in New Orleans? Should you watch the tournament (yes)? Read on to find out...
Best of the Best
Best offenses (averaging at least 80 points per game [PPG]): Gonzaga, South Dakota State, Arizona, Iowa, UAB, Duke, Purdue, Alabama
Best defenses (opponents PPG under 63): San Diego State, Houston, Texas, Vermont, Texas Tech, Saint Mary's, Boise State, Loyola-Chicago, St. Peters, Murray State, Virginia Tech, Akron, Iowa State
Hot n' Cold
Which teams are excelling down the stretch? Which teams are fading as March rolls around?
Top 10 SCORCHING HOT Teams:
#1. South Dakota State (21 straight wins)
#2. Murray State (20 straight wins)
#3. Colgate (15 straight wins)
#4. Georgia State (10 straight wins)
#5. Virginia Tech (won 13 of 15; ACC Tournament Champions)
#6. Tennessee (won 12 of 13; wins over Auburn, Arkansas, Kentucky during stretch)
#7. Gonzaga (number one overall seed)
#8. Vermont (won 22 of 23 games)
#9. Arizona (won 15 of 16 games; Pac-12 champs)
#10. Iowa (won 9 of 10; Big Ten tournament champs)
Honorable Mention: Memphis (won 12 of 14 games), Longwood (won 8 straight), Bryant (won 7 straight)
Top 10 FREEZING COLD Teams:
#1. Ohio State (lost 4 of 5)
#2. Texas (lost 3 straight; blew 20 point lead to TCU in tournament quarterfinals)
#3. Iowa State (lost 3 straight)
#4. Alabama (lost 3 straight)
#5. Jacksonville State (lost in semifinals; backdoored their way into the tournament due to Bellarmine's ineligibility)
#6. LSU (started 15-1; finished 22-11 [7-10 record since hot start]; fired coach on Saturday)
#7. Michigan (have not won back-to-back games since Feb. 10th; blew 17 point lead to Indiana in second round of Big Ten tournament )
#8. Rutgers (lost 4 of 6)
#9. Providence (blown out by 27 in Big East semifinal)
#10. USC (lost 3 of 4)
First Four Predictions
#16 Texas Southern Tigers (18-12, SWAC) over #16 Texas A&M-CC Islanders (23-11, Southland)- It was a rough start to the season for the Tigers as they FUMBLED through a challenging out-of-conference schedule (St. Mary's, Oregon, BYU). That 0-7 start ended in style with a huge 15 point win against then ranked Florida on the road. Beating the Gators seemed to give them confidence that helped them roll through conference play. Meanwhile, the Islanders started the season 10-1 before stumbling midway through the season, losing 6 of 7 games. Both of these teams have fought through ADVERSITY and to get a tournament win in primetime would be a great way to put a cherry on top and fight to become the next UMBC. Texas Southern 80, Texas A&M-CC 72.
#12 Indiana Hoosiers (20-13, Big Ten) over #12 Wyoming Cowboys (25-8, Mountain West)- First one to 60? If you like points, you'll probably be disappointed. Both of these teams had subpar finishes to the year but did just enough to squeak into the field. Wyoming will look to feed the post for the majority of their points. Hunter Maldonado and Drake Jeffries (42% from 3) will be counted on for everything else. It's likely that the Cowboys will try and wear down the Hoosiers star Trayce Jackson-Davis with forward Graham Ike defending. Honestly, I think Wyoming might have the better team this year but I'll take the Hoosiers to steal one since they have confidence after upsetting Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament. Indiana 62, Wyoming 59.
#16 Bryant Bulldogs (22-9, NEC) over #16 Wright State Raiders (21-13, Horizon)- Peter Kiss. That is all. That's the tweet. The leading scorer in Men's Division I (averaging 25.1 PPG) will carry the Bulldogs once again to victory. Bold prediction: He hits a game-winning shot too. I'll put it in sharpie. Bryant 75, Wright State 74.
#11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (22-10, ACC) over #11 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (18-13, Big Ten)- Are the Scarlet Knights the basketball reincarnation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Led by Ron Harper Jr, Rutgers has impressive wins over Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa, and Purdue. Underrated team, right? Well, they've also lost to UMass, DePaul, Lafayette, and Northwestern. They play to the level of their competition which is good and bad obviously. The Fighting Irish, the last team in the field, hasn't had many opportunities for big wins due to a down ACC but have defeated Kentucky and UNC. I like the consistency of the Irish over the unpredictability of Rutgers here. Notre Dame 74, Rutgers 68.
Top First Round Matchups
Which underrated matchup could prove to be an instant classic?
EAST REGION- #7 Murray State Racers (30-2, OVC) vs #10 San Francisco Dons (24-9, West Coast)- MUST WATCH TV. It's not often that we get to see a mid-major matchup in the first round of the tournament. Real basketball fans may know that Bill Russell played for USF in the 1950s so it's nice to see a historically solid team get back to the big dance. What I like about this team in 2022 is that the Dons are a very steady and consistent team. A 7-2 road record and winning four quadrant one games is good news for their chances against Murray State. At 30-2, the Racers have the best record in the tournament. They kept it relatively close against Auburn and beat a tournament team in Memphis so it's not just them beating up on scrubs. This one could go either way.
SOUTH REGION- #6 Colorado State (25-5, Mountain West) vs #11 Michigan Wolverines (17-14, Big Ten)- Can the Wolverines prove they deserved to be a part of the field of 64? They've had to deal with some adversity, most notably their coach Juwan Howard getting suspended for slapping Wisconsin coach Greg Gard. Michigan has beaten Purdue, Ohio State, and Iowa but have lost 14 games this year which typically doesn't signify a tournament-caliber team. In addition, UMich has not won back-to-back games since Feb. 10th and also blew a 17 point lead to Indiana in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. The Rams have been ranked all season long in a potent Mountain West but will likely be underdogs. They'll need junior guard David Roddy to deliver the goods if they hope to advance. Can they take out being disrespected as a higher seed and take down Hunter Dickinson and Michigan?
WEST REGION- #7 Michigan State (22-12, Big Ten) vs #10 Davidson (27-6, A-10)- What are the odds of Davidson making a Stephen Curry run to the Final Four? They'll have to get past the Spartans before thinking about any miracle run. Michigan State has been an middle-tier Big Ten team which means I could see an upset happening. They are 6-8 in their last 14 games with three of those wins being against Maryland (15-17). Despite stubbing their toe against a desperate Spiders team in the A-10 final, Davidson is fully capable of winning not one but two games in the tournament.
MIDWEST REGION- #3 Wisconsin Badgers (24-7, Big Ten) vs #14 Colgate Raiders (23-11, Patriot)- Looking for a stunner? This could be the answer to your question. I'm not picking it but similar to last year's matchup against Arkansas, Colgate can definitely score quickly. Their highlight of the season was scoring 100 POINTS in a road game against Syracuse. A player to watch is senior guard Jack Ferguson. He shot extremely well in the Patriot League tournament including a 28 point outburst (7 three-pointers) against Bucknell in the quarterfinal. The Badgers offense is subpar (tied for 208th in DI) vs Colgate's 59th ranked attack. I could definitely see this upset come to fruition.
Bracket Analysis
West Region
Kicking off the bracket analysis is the West Region. It's Gonzaga's world and we're just living in it...or are we. Duke and Texas Tech may have something to say about that. Can Coach K go out in style with another championship or will #15 Cal State Fullerton pull off the stunner of the tournament? Can Memphis or Vermont use their hot finish to the season and do some damage? Am I just making up random one-liners to make this paragraph interesting? Possibly...
My Final Four pick: #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-3)- Is there any surprise here? The number one overall seed will advance to their second straight Final Four. The Bulldogs get some hate for playing in the West Coast conference but Saint Mary's and San Francisco are great teams that have challenged and even beaten Gonzaga this year. Playing against better competition will help them in March Madness. Everything about them is amazing. They have five players who average at least 11 points per game. They are top 15 in rebounding, top 5 in assists, and hold their opponents to an average of just 65 PPG. It's Gonzaga and I doubt anyone will stop them barring injuries.
Biggest Threat to #1: #3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (25-9, Big 12)- Surprised to not see Duke here? You shouldn't be. The Blue Devils are great talent-wise but the whole distraction of Coach K's last (insert event here) is catching up to the team. It's odd to say but most of Duke's players do not have NCAA tournament experience. The Red Raiders are led by Bryson Williams, Kevin McCullar, and former Oral Roberts star Kevin Obanor all mixing in. What makes them dangerous is that they don't just rely on one player, it's a collective effort. With a top flight defense and a coach with recent Final Four experience, expect the Red Raiders to flirt with escaping the West region.
Biggest Cinderella: #9 Memphis Tigers (21-10, AAC)- No one really screams out to me as a serious threat to knock off a top seed. Especially in a region with Gonzaga, it's hard to see a real Cinderella getting far but hey...games aren't played on paper. The Tigers second-half season surge could have the Bulldogs sweating early. Anyone that beats Gonzaga will be a huge storyline.
Biggest scare: #4 Arkansas Razorbacks (25-8, SEC) vs #13 Vermont Catamounts (28-5, American East)- This matchup will be a classic "close but no cigar" type of game. The Razorbacks have beaten Tennessee, Auburn, and Kentucky but those were all home games. Vermont isn't too far from Buffalo, New York so expect a large contingency of Catamount fans to make the trek. Throw in the fact that many neutral fans will likely rooting for the underdog and it could be a tense 40 minutes for Arkansas. Vermont has DOMINATED lately, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 329-200. However, they haven't played anyone of Arkansas' caliber and that will show on the court.
Bold Prediction: #11 Notre Dame/Rutgers upsets #6 Alabama- Whoever wins this "First Four" matchup, I think they'll upset the Crimson Tide. Alabama has lost three straight and their defense has allowed 80+ points in six out of the last seven games. A six seed with 13 losses is completely baffling to me and I think this is prime territory for an upset. Whether it's Notre Dame's offense or Rutgers' defense, I'm taking the 11 seed to advance.
East Region
The "Region of Death?" The "Field of Blue Bloods?" Whatever you want to call it, this is EASILY the toughest region. Whoever emerges out of this region will have some SERIOUS battle scars. Will it be top-seeded Baylor defending their crown? Can blue-bloods Kentucky, UCLA, Indiana or UNC show who's boss? Can upstart Virginia Tech become the sixth 11 seed to make a Cinderella run to the Final Four? There is so much potential in this region so let's find out who has what it takes...
My Final Four pick: #2 Kentucky Wildcats (26-7, SEC)- After having a horrific 9-16 record in 2020-21, Kentucky has predictably rebounded in a BIG WAY. The Wildcats are a well balanced team with five starters averaging double figures in PPG. Led by Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky is capable of attacking their opponent in a variety of ways. It does give me pause that they went just 1-4 against top SEC foes Arkansas, Tennessee, and Auburn. Then I press the play button and see how they dominated North Carolina (29 pt win) and Kansas (18 pt win) this year. Their path shapes up nicely as the 'Cats should have no difficulties making it to the Sweet Sixteen. Their hardest game might end up as the Sweet Sixteen with #3 Purdue the favorite to meet them there. It's highly likely that one of these historic blue blood programs will be making another trip to the Final Four and for me, it's Kentucky going to its 18th.
Why not #1 Baylor? It's tough to go against the defending champs, especially after finishing as a number one seed again in a challenging conference. I still think they have a roster capable of making the Final Four but losing guard LJ Cryer and big man Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua doesn't help matters for a thin team. As previously mentioned, this is BY FAR the toughest region and it's likely that the battle of attrition will be lost at some point.
Biggest Cinderella Potential: #11 Virginia Tech Hokies (23-12, ACC)- There is no hotter team in the ACC than the boys from Blacksburg, VA. After starting 2-7 in conference play, head coach Mike Young propelled the Hokies to their first ever ACC Tournament championship, defeating typical powerhouses Duke and UNC in the process. The Hokies were under-seeded due to the overall underwhelming performance of the ACC collectively. With a potent three point game and a TENACIOUS defense that wears you down, I expect Virginia Tech to be an extremely tough out. #6 Texas has lost three straight while their likely Round of 32 matchup against #3 Purdue has struggled to play defense. As a team, VT shoots 39.2% from beyond the arc which ranks third among Division I teams. Keve Aluma, Hunter Cattoor, Nahiem Alleyne are primed to continue their hot play.
Biggest scare: #5 Saint Mary's Gaels (25-7, West Coast) vs. #12 Wyoming/Indiana- I promise this matchup will be a popular upset pick but I advise you to heed caution. The Cowboys have faded down the stretch (2-3 in the last five games) whereas Indiana's late game execution is too concerning to truly trust them. Meanwhile, Saint Mary's has only lost one game that wasn't against top-seeded Gonzaga since mid-January. The West Coast conference doesn't have scrubs this year either. #10 San Francisco is a quality team as well and tournament-worthy BYU was also on their schedule. This game probably won't eclipse the mid-60s score-wise as this trio of teams won't set the world on fire from the field. That is why it will be a close, grind-it-out contest. Free throws could be the difference which favors the Gaels (ranks 28th in the country) significantly against Wyoming (ranks 139th) or Indiana (ranks 231st).
Bold Prediction: #11 Virginia Tech makes the Sweet Sixteen- It hurts me to go against Purdue since I picked them to win the National Championship at the beginning of the college basketball season. However, frustration seems to be kicking in for the Boilermakers who haven't quite turned on that second-gear. The Hokies have the athleticism that could match up quite well with Purdue's stars Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey. I think confidence and momentum is a scary thing so I'll take Mike Young's squad to narrowly escape and advance to the Sweet Sixteen. As far as other potential stories go, I could potentially see #8 North Carolina upsetting #1 Baylor if they play like they did against Duke in Durham. The winner of #12 Wyoming/Indiana could very well take down #5 Saint Mary's as previously mentioned.
South Region
The South is a region chalk full of potential upsets. Seeing #11 Michigan (an Elite Eight team last season) as an 11 seed but currently favored to win against a #6 seed tells me a lot. Despite their inconsistency, they could go on a run. TCU has upsets of Kansas and Texas Tech while Loyola-Chicago looks to remind everyone that picking against them could prove to be a fatal mistake. At the end of the day, the favorites will flex their muscle as yet another top seed will advance to New Orleans.
My Final Four pick: #1 Arizona Wildcats (31-3, Pac-12)- There is a lot of East Coast bias against the Wildcats but I promise you...they're the REAL DEAL. I really went back and fourth between Tennessee and Arizona as both teams are on fire. Pac-12 Player of the Year Bennedict Mathurin is the straw that stirs the drink. At 6'6, he is a guard's matchup nightmare. I'd pencil Arizona in to the Elite Eight for sure as their offense is as good as it gets in college basketball. It's been over two decades since Arizona won their only Final Four (1997 against Kentucky) but perhaps we could see a Wildcat vs Wildcat matchup once again. Time will tell...
Biggest Threat to #1: #3 Tennessee Volunteers (26-7, SEC)- As previously mentioned, I think that the Volunteers are right there with Arizona as a championship threat. They were under-seeded and have the resume of a 2 or even a 1 seed in some cases. The Vols have won 12 of 13 games, defeating Auburn, Arkansas, Kentucky in the process. It's not hard to picture their hot play continuing and reaching the program's first Final Four. However, similar to their run in 2010, their Final Four dreams will end one game short but still a fantastic season nonetheless.
Biggest Cinderella Potential: #12 UAB Blazers (27-7, C-USA)- Houston (29-5) did make the Final Four last season but they're not quite to the level that they were last year. The Blazers rank seventh in the nation in scoring and their star guard Jordan Walker might be the best player on the court. At just 5'11, he ranks in the top 15 in total scoring (avg. 20.4 PPG). Walker is capable of going OFF, as he has scored 40 points twice including his 40 point performance in a thrilling three overtime win against Middle Tennessee in the C-USA semifinals. However, I think for UAB to win, they'll need to play FAST. Houston has the second-best defense in the tournament, allowing just 58.9 PPG so it won't be easy.
Biggest scare: #4 Illinois Fighting Illini (22-9, Big Ten) vs #13 Chattanooga Mocs 27-7, SoCon)- In the SoCon Conference final, David Jean-Baptiste hit the shot of a lifetime, launching a MIRACLE three-pointer in overtime to send the Mocs to March Madness. Can that emotional high elevate this team to a big win over the Illini? Illinois was a strong play to win the national championship last year before getting upset by Loyola-Chicago in the Round of 32 last season. At their best, Illinois is capable of making the Elite Eight and making this game a laugher. At their worst, they could lose to the Mocs. It will end up being close but center Kofi Cockburn will be too much for Chattanooga to close the gap.
Bold Prediction: #10 Loyola-Chicago does it again; reaches the Sweet Sixteen- I've doubted the Ramblers the last two times they were in the tournament. I'm not doing it again. From the words of President Bush: “There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.” The Ramblers, per usual, have a great defense and will defeat an overrated Buckeyes team before upsetting a quality Villanova team in a minor shocker. Anyone that watches Loyola-Chicago knows that they aren't underdogs anymore.
Midwest Region
The Midwest region seems a little underwhelming compared to the other three regions which means that an unexpected sleeper could emerge from the shadows. The Jayhawks are the favorite as the top seed but the #2 seed Auburn Tigers were once the number one team in the country this year and also have the experience and remnants of making the Final Four three seasons ago. Could it be Wisconsin who took a share of the regular season Big Ten title? San Diego State (Mountain West) and Creighton (Big East) were battle-tested in their respective conferences so perhaps they could bounce Kansas in a Round of 32 stunner? However, I think it will be a conference champion that got under-seeded from the Big Ten that will take advantage and advance to the Big Easy.
My Final Four pick: #5 Iowa Hawkeyes (26-9, Big Ten)- Last year, the Big Ten disappointed with nine teams making the tournament but only one (Michigan) making it to the Sweet Sixteen. Expect things to be different this time around. The Hawkeyes are RED HOT and are battle tested in the best conference in college basketball. Sophomore guard Keegan Murray is fourth in the nation in scoring (averaging 23.7 PPG). He is the catalyst for Iowa's fifth ranked scoring offense.
Why not #1 Kansas? I don't have many bad things to say about Bill Self's squad. If we get a Kansas-Iowa Sweet Sixteen matchup, it may be the best game of the tournament. The Jayhawks are battle-tested as well with Texas Tech and Baylor in the Big 12 so it's honestly splitting hairs. However, rarely do we see straight chalk (pun slightly intended) which bodes well for a non-one seed.
Biggest Cinderella Potential: #10 Miami Hurricanes (23-10, ACC)- The ACC has been disrespected all season long but Jim Larrañaga's Canes have quietly put together a nice season. Their side of the bracket has a lot of teams in disarray. USC, their first-round opponent, has lost three of their last four games. LSU just fired their head coach on Sunday. Iowa State has lost three straight. Auburn has looked pretty vulnerable as of late. I believe the Hurricanes have a guard trio that is capable of upsetting Auburn and making a run to the Sweet Sixteen. Experienced guard play is the key to a successful Cinderella run and Kam McGusty (senior), Charlie Moore (senior), and Isaiah Wong (sophomore) could provide more excitement than expected in Coral Gables.
Biggest scare: #5 Iowa Hawkeyes (26-9, Big Ten) vs. #12 Richmond Spiders (23-12, A-10)- BID STEALER ALERT! For the first time since 2011, the Spiders are going DANCING! Richmond, the A-10 Champion, is one of the most experienced teams in the nation with a team chalk full of super seniors (Grant Golden, Jacob Gilyard, Nathan Cayo, etc). It's clear that this team isn't ready to go home after having their likely at-large bid taken away in the 2020 tournament COVID cancellation. They've won a remarkable six games this year after being down 14 or more points, showing their resiliency. And you know what they say about an underdog hanging around in a tight game...
Iowa is one of the hottest teams in the tournament and a Final Four contender so this would be a MASSIVE upset in my eyes (and my bracket would be toast). Similar to Oregon State's run to the Elite Eight last year, could this unexpected conference tournament run lead to....dare I say....a 2011 VCU (their crosstown rival) type finish to New Orleans? Probably not but expect this game to be closer than one may think. Also a fun fact: Richmond is the only team to win a tournament game as a 12 seed, a 13 seed, a 14 seed, and a 15 seed.
Bold Prediction: #13 South Dakota State Jackrabbits upset #4 Providence Friars- Here's my biggest upset of March Madness. Everything about the Jackrabbits screams upset to me. Being undefeated in conference play is tough to do no matter who the competition is. Their offense is extremely potent, averaging just over 87 PPG in the Summit League. Likewise, they shoot the three-pointer the best in the nation at 44.9% as a team. Meanwhile, the Friars are the"luckiest team" in the tournament as far as advanced metrics go. Not only that but they suffered a 27 point loss to Creighton in the Big East semifinals which isn't good news. Ultimately, I think the luck will run out at the worst possible time for the favored Friars.
Final Four Predictions
Final Four
#1 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs #2 Kentucky Wildcats- We get robbed of a Wildcat-Wildcat National Championship game and a rematch of the 1997 final as the Bulldogs SHOCKINGLY roll Coach Calipari's squad. Gonzaga 88, Kentucky 73
#1 Arizona Wildcats vs #5 Iowa Hawkeyes- Iowa is hot but Arizona is hotter, both literally and figuratively. The Hawkeyes have a halftime lead before Mathurin TAKES OVER late and sends the 'Cats to the title game. Arizona 80, Iowa 76
National Championship
#1 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs #1 Arizona Wildcats- How fitting would it be if the two best teams in college basketball go at it for the National Championship? The Zags have been to the title game twice in the last five years but have failed to capitalize. Meanwhile, the Wildcats are looking for their second title. In this hypothetical matchup, an electrifying finish is almost a certainty. In a narrow contest, I think the pain of last season will fuel the Bulldogs. Gonzaga will finally silence the critics as Mark Few gets his first championship. No more next year. Zags on top! Gonzaga 88, Arizona 83
National Champion: Gonzaga Bulldogs (1st title)
My Bracket
Upset Picks
Round of 64
Round of 32
WEST- None
MIDWEST- None
Sweet Sixteen
EAST- None
SOUTH- None
Elite 8
WEST- None
SOUTH- None
Final Four & National Championship
None
Bracket Advice
#1. Don't pick a 16 seed, please.
But, but...#16 UMBC beat #1 Virginia. Yeah, I know. That's a once in a generation upset. Unless you're doing a joke bracket, this is simply not the way to go. However, #15 seeds beating #2 seeds have happened every few years or so, including last year with Max Abmas and #15 Oral Roberts making a stunning run to the Sweet Sixteen. If you do decided to risk it all and go with a monumental upset, 15 > 16.
#2. First Four, a blessing in disguise?
There is something truly special about playing in Dayton. Since the tournament expanded to 68 teams in 2011, a team playing in the "First Four" has won at least one more tournament game following their Dayton win (with the exception of 2019). Two teams, VCU (2011) and UCLA (2021), ran the gauntlet by making it all the way to the Final Four. If you are a fan of (INSERT 11 SEED HERE), there is hope!
Going off of that point, since 2014, there has been at least one 11 seed to win two tournament games. The last time that didn’t happen was 2013 where March Madness truly lived up to its name as #13 La Salle, #15 FGCU, and #12 Oregon made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Moral of the story? In all likelihood, a double digit seed is going to make waves once again in 2022. The question is...will you choose the right team?
#3. Don't pick anyone above an 8 seed to win the National Championship.
Why? It's never happened. Who was the 8 seed to take home the title? That team was the Villanova Wildcats in 1985 beating the number one seeded Georgetown Hoyas. The lowest seed to make the Elite Eight is a 12 seed and the lowest seed to make the Final Four is an 11 seed. In other words, any Cinderella run will likely end in the semifinals.
#4. "Pace of Play" could be the key to predicting an upset.
If you want to look at advanced metrics and technical about your bracket like me, the styles of play by each team could be key to predicting something BIG. If you're watching TV and you hear "X team plays slow (half-court offense) and Y team plays fast (up-tempo offense)," your ears should perk up. With limited time to prepare between games, good coaching and in-game adjustments mean everything.
#5. Consider picking a team with a four seed or lower to advance the Final Four.
Since the tournament expanded in 2011, a team seeded as a four or lower has made it to the Final Four. Picking chalk (the favorites) in your bracket is safe to have a top spot in your bracket pool but not fun at all. The parity of the tournament is what makes it so captivating to watch and it's that much sweeter when you have bragging rights of calling the right upsets.
#6. Have fun with it!
Hate to break it to you...your bracket will not be perfect. Neither will mine. It's never happened and it never will. Do you want to know your odds of this remarkable feat? It is estimated you have a 9.2 quintillion to 1 chance. So go ahead...have fun and make as many brackets as you wish. Good luck and remember, “Don’t bet on it.” In fact, my best advice for making a bracket is to not listen to advice. Wait, isn't that a catch 22? Anyways...do what your heart says because you might end up on top.
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