By Lucas Camacho
We have plenty of sports events in the coming months and days. The World Series Champion Dodgers kick off the season in Tokyo. The NWSL was starting its season this past weekend, but the big ticket item these next few weeks will by the annual NCAA Basketball Tournament. Both men and women’s teams will be putting it all on the line for a shot at a championship and writing their names into the books of history. But before I reveal what I think MIGHT happen, let’s take a look at a term that is frequently used this time of year: Bracketology.
Bracketology During the NCAA Basketball Tournament
Bracketology is the art and science of predicting the outcomes of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, an annual event that captivates millions of fans across the United States (and another good time to pick up a new TV besides the Super Bowl). As teams compete throughout the season, analysts and enthusiasts alike engage in the practice of creating and refining their brackets, which outline potential matchups and outcomes. This process involves examining team statistics, player performance, and historical trends, making it both a challenging and exciting endeavor (not to mention devastating and downright frustrating).
During the tournament, known famously as “March Madness,” the unpredictability of outcomes heightens the stakes. Upsets are common, and lower-seeded teams often outperform expectations, leading to thrilling surprises (and people burning their bracket that they worked so hard on). Bracketology not only fuels the excitement of the tournament but also fosters a sense of community among fans who share their predictions and celebrate their successes. Ultimately, bracketology enhances the viewing experience, transforming casual observers into passionate participants in this beloved annual spectacle (but again, you will suffer agony).
My Picks (Take ‘em or Leave ‘em)
These are my picks organized by region before heading into the Final Four. This represents my best guess, and that is ultimately what you are doing when you are filling out a bracket: you are taking what you think is your best guess. These are my picks to win the men’s tournament (I’m sorry women, I ran out of time for you. No, it is not a male chauvinist thing…I’m just that wishy washy). Okay, here it goes…
South Region – First Round
Auburn def. Alabama St.
Louisville def. Creighton
UC San Diego def. Michigan
Texas A&M def. Yale
Ole Miss def. San Diego St.
Iowa St. def. Lipscomb
Marquette def. New Mexico
Michigan St. def. Bryant
Second Round
Auburn def. Louisville
UC San Diego def. Texas A&M
Iowa St. def. Ole Miss
Michigan St. def. Marquette
Sweet 16
Auburn def. UC San Diego
Iowa St. def. Michigan St.
Elite 8
Auburn def. Iowa St.
West Region – First Round
Florida def. Norfolk St.
U Conn def. Oklahoma
Colorado St. def. Memphis
Maryland def. Grand Canyon
Missouri def. Drake
Texas Tech def. UNC Wilmington
Kansas def. Arkansas
Saint John’s def. Omaha
Second Round
Florida def. UConn
Maryland def. Colorado St.
Missouri def. Texas Tech
Saint John’s def. Kansas
Sweet 16
Florida def. Maryland
Saint John’s def. Missouri
Elite 8
Florida def. Saint John’s
East Region – First Round
Duke def. American
Mississippi St. def. Baylor
Liberty def. Oregon
Arizona def. Akron
VCU def. BYU
Wisconsin def. Montana
Saint Mary’s def. Vanderbilt
Alabama def. Robert Morris
Second Round
Duke def. Mississippi St.
Arizona def. Liberty
Wisconsin def. VCU
Saint Mary’s def. Alabama
Sweet 16
Duke def. Arizona
Saint Mary’s def. Wisconsin
Elite 8
Duke def. Saint Mary’s
Midwest Region – First Round
Houston def. SIU Edwardsville
Gonzaga def. Georgia
Clemson def. McNeese
High Point def. Purdue
Illinois def. Texas
Troy def. Kentucky
UCLA def. Utah St.
Tennessee def. Wofford
Second Round
Gonzaga def. Houston
High Point def. Clemson
Illinois def. Troy
Tennessee def. UCLA
Sweet 16
Gonzaga def. High Point
Tennessee def. Illinois
Elite 8
Gonzaga def. Tennessee
Final Four
Auburn def. Florida
Duke def. Gonzaga
Championship
Duke def. Auburn
Those are my picks above. If I’m wrong, I’m no different than the millions that try and fail at this every year. But if I’m right…I’M A GENIUS! (For the record, for the women’s tournament, I’m picking USC to go all the way).
