The Ultimate March Madness Bracket Guide: 5 Tips to Win Big in your Pool

One of the best times of year in the sports world is officially upon us as the NCAA Tournament kicks off on Thursday. This time of year, College Basketball fanatics and casual fans are glued to the TV watching what has fittingly become known as "March Madness". The popularity of the tournament has grown the popularity of filling out brackets as people join pools at their offices, neighborhoods, and with their families all hoping to win big in March.

If you haven't been tuned into College Basketball since late October and Early November, there's no need to worry, this time of year is unpredictable. While you don't need to know everything about College Basketball to win your respective pool, there are a few things you should know before submitting your picks.

Beware of the Way Too Trendy Upset Picks

Every year, everyone fills out their bracket looking to find the upset picks that will win them their bracket pool. Maybe it's the blue blood program ranked in the bottom half or a Mid-Major that dominated a weak conference. Suddenly, everyone in the bracket pool is following the same upset that the experts have been preaching about. Beware, when a sneaky upset candidate becomes popular they're just starting to become overhyped. Part of what makes the NCAA Tournament so fun is the upsets no one sees coming, don't be the person regretting going with the trendy upset pick that ended up being selected by half of the Country.

The Strongest 1-Seeds in History

No one wants to be the person with everyone 1 Seed in their final four or the person advancing the higher seed in every round. This year is the perfect year to move the Number One seeds along in your bracket as we may have the strongest top seeds in History. According to KenPom, prior to this year only four teams entered the NCAA Tournament with a +35.00 Net Rating. Two of those four teams won the National Championship, one was a runner up, and the last team lost in the final four.

This year, all four 1 Seeds Auburn (+35.05), Duke (+38.15), Florida (+36.16), and Houston (+35.44) all cross that threshold. The Top Seeds in this year's NCAA Tournament are the strongest ever, don't be afraid to carry them through your bracket.

Avoid the 5-Seeds

One of the most popular bracket trends every year is picking the 12 seeds to upset the 5 seeds. In 2024, if you followed this strategy, you hit at 50% as Grand Canyon and James Madison pulled off the upset. This year, you'll want to avoid the 5 seeds and if you don't want to take the upset, don't carry your 5 seeds too far in this tournament.

Michigan, Memphis, Clemson, and Oregon all have major flaws which could impact their run in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan has struggled with turnovers, Memphis is likely over seeded and guard Tyrese Hunter is wearing a boot, Clemson was the benefactor of playing in a weaker ACC, and Oregon lost five games in a row this season which doesn't happen by accident.

Memphis is the team on upset alert the most facing off against Colorado State coming off of their win in the Mountain West Tournament. Oregon feels the safest facing Liberty who hasn't faced a "Quad One" opponent this season. Clemson faces McNeese who has tournament experience and this season, McNeese scheduled SEC Opponents to prepare for the level of talent in March. Michigan's turnover struggles will be on display against UC San Diego who ranks 2nd Nationally when it comes to turning opponents over but, they don't have the size they may need.

Each of the Five Seeds could lose opening weekend which means stay away from advancing one to your Elite Eight or Final Four as you could lose a key piece to your bracket to open the Tournament.

History says to put Gonzaga in your Sweet 16

If you are looking for a safe bet, history tells you that Gonzaga will make its way to the Sweet 16 this year. If you want to find when Gonzaga last missed the Sweet 16 you need to go back to the 2013-14 season. This year to return to the Sweet 16, Gonzaga will need to beat #8 Georgia and #1 Houston. The matchup against Georgia is a great draw for Gonzaga as Georgia has had issues all season long but, Houston will be tough to overcome. The Houston Cougars glaring flaw that Gonzaga can take advantage of is the fact they've struggled to score the ball ranking 9th in scoring offense.

A Deep Conference Tournament run isn't always a positive

This time of year, everyone starts to pay attention to College Basketball ahead of the NCAA Tournament looking for the team they're going to ride to the Championship. The issue is a Deep Conference Tournament run can often times hurt teams as the turnaround to the NCAA Tournament is quick.

Wisconsin and Michigan finished play on Sunday and now have to travel to Denver to play at altitude on Thursday. Memphis went on to win the AAC on Sunday but, it may have cost the Tigers Tyrese Hunter. Last Year, Auburn ran through the SEC Tournament just to lose on the opening day of the tournament, could Florida suffer the same fate on opening weekend? Picking the team that just battled through a gauntlet could often be a massive mistake, look at the battle scars your pick suffered before advancing them in March.

5 Underdog Teams that could make a Sweet 16

#9 Gonzaga Bulldogs: 9th ranked team in KENPOM, severely under seeded

#12 McNeese State: Experienced Head Coach, Well balanced team

#13 Grand Canyon: Upset win in 2024, scoring talent and size to go on a deeper run

#12 Colorado State: Nique Clifford has been dominant and a favorable draw

#10 New Mexico: Two Elite Scorers and a Great Coach in Richard Pitino

5 Players on Underdogs that could take over the tournament

Every March one of the most fun storylines of the NCAA Tournament is the player who becomes a household name overnight. In 2024, it was DJ Burns who carried NC State to the Final Four, before him there were March Madness stars like Doug Edert, Cameron Krutwig, and countless other players who became stars in March. This year, the following five players have the chance to become household names carrying their team through the tournament.

Donovan Dent - New Mexico 20.6 PPG, 6.4 APG, 49.7 FG %, and 41.5 3 PT %

Nique Clifford - Colorado State - 19.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 50.7 FG %, and 39.8 3 PT %

Bennett Stirtz - Drake - 19.1 PPG, 5.7 APG, 49.3 FG %, and 38.6 3 PT %

Jeremiah Fears - Oklahoma -17.0 PPG, 4.1 APG, 4.1 RPG, and 43.6 FG %

John Poulakidas - Yale - 19.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 45.4 FG %, and 40.9 3 Pt %