The NCAA tournaments tip-off is under two weeks away, and our free NCAA bracket contest is coming soon! To recap, the contest rules are (for both men’s and women’s tournaments):
-Pick 6 teams: one team from each of the 1-2 seeds, 3-4 seeds, 5-7 seeds, 8-10 seeds, 11-13 seeds, and 14-16 seeds.
-Score 1 point for a first round win, 2 points for a second round win, 3 points for third round, etc.
-If a lower ranked team defeats a higher ranked team, the points are doubled!
What do you think the best strategy is in a game like this? Some considerations:
–Should you pick the best overall team? That team may have the best chance of winning, but they will never get an upset bonus, whereas a 2 seed may. Last year in the women’s tournament, the top seed, South Carolina, won the tournament and was worth a massive 21 points. But on the men’s side, Gonzaga was the overall top seed and was worth…. 3 points.
–Should you pick an 8 seed that is favored instead of a 9 seed? The 9 seed will get double points in the first round. Or perhaps you should instead pick a 10 seed, because they will get both a bonus in the first round, and an easier matchup in the second round (facing a 3 seed instead of a 1 seed). Also note that last year, an 8 seed in the men’s tournament (UNC) went all the way to the championship game with several upset bonuses along the way and was worth 25 points.
–Should you pick a lot of upsets, or go with more “chalk” picks? “Chalk” picks may get you more points on average, but other players will have similar picks thus, the chance of winning the overall prize is lower. Last year, zero players picked Saint Peter’s – a 15 seed. They proceeded to make a Cinderella run to the Elite 8, with 3 upsets, so they were worth 12 points in this game. In fact, in last year’s contest, if you selected Saint Peter’s and UNC, an extremely “un-chalky” two picks, you were guaranteed at least second place in the men’s tournament contest.
–Should you “spread out” your picks? If you pick teams that will run into each other in early rounds, you will limit your possible points. So, should you spread your picks across the bracket?
What are your thoughts on the best way to win a game like this?
