Bracketology: A Quick Guide For the Girl Who Thinks Basketball Only Gets Good in May

Madness, right? Yeah, I know. So, is your office is hosting a bracket challenge and you want to be involved, but have no clue who’s good, where Gonzaga even is, and why people are calling Saint Mary’s the Cinderella.

Well, here are a few tips on how to fill out your bracket, and know what you’re talking about at that first watch party.

P.S. Gonzaga is in Washington. You’re welcome. 

1. Better Seed: I knew a girl who had no clue about college basketball and made all of her picks based on seeding. She came in 4th and beat me. I was pissed. So when in doubt, pick the higher seed. 

2. Check the Conference Tournaments: If you have some time and want to do your research, check each conference standings and how their tournaments went. Who won? Who’s games were close? This will help you a lot; however, don’t be fooled by the fact that Gonzaga lost to Saint Mary’s in the WCC Conference Championship. 

3. History: Know your big name teams. You can always bet on a team if they’re a basketball school. Here is where you should definitely pick Duke over a smaller school. Or Kentucky. 

4. Mascot: Don’t be the girl that picks based on the ferocity of the mascot. That’s stupid. Don’t do it. This is not an option. Move on to #5.

5. The Southeast is Supreme: If you don’t know anything, know these teams: Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee – all of them. Historically they go far; especially Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky. That’s basketball country over there. 

6. Upsets Happen: We call it March Madness for a reason. It causes madness – literally. People end up with a busted bracket before the Sweet 16. It happens. But that’s what makes it exciting and fun. Big teams will fall, a Cinderella will emerge (that’s the dark horse that no one expected, if you didn’t know), and things will really get interesting after the first round or so.

before the Sweet 16. It happens. But that’s what makes it exciting and fun. Big teams will fall, a Cinderella will emerge (that’s the dark horse that no one expected, if you didn’t know), and things will really get interesting after the first round or so.

There are a few tips to put you at ease. Pick who you think is best. It’s all in good fun, although some will take it way too seriously. If anything, do some research and see where those big conference teams are in the bracket. Have fun with it, it’s all Madness, afterall.

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