Fill out your bracket with these selections and toss it straight into the nearest trash can.
That’s about what it will be worth by the time Thursday afternoon’s games are over. Such is the nature of attempting to pick winners in the NCAA Tournament.
They don’t call it March Madness for nothing. We tune in for the mayhem created by the double-digit seeds as much as we like to observe the excellence of the favorites. Transfer portal departures, available cash that accompanies name, image and likeness rights — those seismic changes in the sport have yet to alter the uncertainty that comes with 40 minutes and single elimination.
Auburn, Duke, Florida and Houston claimed No. 1 seeds and top their respective regions. St. John’s earned a No. 2 seed and is bound for Providence after sweeping Big East regular-season and tournament titles. Connecticut enters as an underdog while attempting to become the first three-time men’s champion since the John Wooden dynasty at UCLA from 1967-73.
There aren’t really any rules with this sort of thing, but take this as a strong suggestion — have fun. Get together with a group of friends, leave the office emails unchecked and find multiple screens to enjoy the action. One of the best annual sporting events in the country has arrived.
Men’s March Madness South Region bracket predictions
1 Auburn-16 Alabama State/Saint Francis (Pa.) – Auburn
8 Louisville-9 Creighton – Louisville
5 Michigan-12 UC San Diego – Michigan
4 Texas A&M-13 Yale – Yale
6 Ole Miss-11 San Diego State/North Carolina – Ole Miss
3 Iowa State-14 Lipscomb – Iowa State
7 Marquette-10 New Mexico – Marquette
2 Michigan State-15 Bryant – Michigan State
Auburn over Louisville
Michigan over Yale
Ole Miss over Iowa State
Michigan State over Marquette
Auburn over Michigan
Michigan State over Ole Miss
Auburn over Michigan State
Michigan could be dangerous in the Sweet 16 but turns the ball over too much (328th nationally). Michigan State is more secure offensively but has an experience problem — just 214th nationally in average age per minutes played. Auburn should take advantage in both categories on the way to a second Final Four under Bruce Pearl.
Men’s March Madness East Region bracket predictions
1 Duke-16 American Mount St. Mary’s – Duke
8 Mississippi State-9 Baylor – Baylor
5 Oregon-12 Liberty – Oregon
4 Arizona-13 Akron – Arizona
6 BYU-11 VCU – VCU
3 Wisconsin-14 Montana – Wisconsin
7 Saint Mary’s-10 Vanderbilt – Vanderbilt
2 Alabama-15 Robert Morris – Alabama
Duke over Baylor
Oregon over Arizona
Wisconsin over VCU
Alabama over Vanderbilt
Duke over Oregon
Alabama over Wisconsin
Alabama over Duke
A game with two potentially hobbled stars — Cooper Flagg (ankle) for the Blue Devils, Grant Nelson (knee) for the Crimson Tide. The difference? Alabama is one of the 10 oldest teams in the field, was in the Final Four last year and played in the nation’s toughest conference. Those intangibles could decide the result here.
Men’s March Madness West Region bracket predictions
1 Florida-16 Norfolk State – Florida
8 Connecticut-9 Oklahoma – Connecticut
5 Memphis-12 Colorado State – Colorado State
4 Maryland-13 Grand Canyon – Maryland
6 Missouri-11 Drake – Missouri
3 Texas Tech-14 UNC Wilmington – Texas Tech
7 Kansas-10 Arkansas – Kansas
2 St. John’s-15 Omaha – St. John’s
Florida over Connecticut
Maryland over Colorado State
Texas Tech over Missouri
St. John’s over Kansas
Florida over Maryland
Texas Tech over St. John’s
Florida over Texas Tech
The Gators feature the No. 1 offense in the nation, per KenPom.com, and are experienced enough to hold their nerve deep into the field. Alijah Martin was part of a Cinderella story with Florida Atlantic in 2023, and now he should return to the March Madness semifinals with an SEC power.
Men’s March Madness Midwest Region bracket predictions
1 Houston-16 SIU Edwardsville – Houston
8 Gonzaga-9 Georgia – Gonzaga
5 Clemson-12 McNeese State – Clemson
4 Purdue-13 High Point – Purdue
6 Illinois-11 Texas/Xavier – Xavier
3 Kentucky-14 Troy – Kentucky
7 UCLA-10 Utah State – UCLA
2 Tennessee-15 Wofford – Tennessee
Houston over Gonzaga
Clemson over Purdue
Kentucky over Xavier
Tennessee over UCLA
Houston over Clemson
Kentucky over Tennessee
Midwest Region Final
Houston over Kentucky
Men’s March Madness Final Four predictions
Auburn over Florida
Houston over Alabama
Men’s March Madness National Champion predictions
Auburn over Houston
The Cougars should be the home team playing a few hours west in San Antonio, but the Tigers won’t be shy about traveling with a championship on the line. J’Wan Roberts (ankle) enters March Madness hobbling a bit, and anything less than the maximum out of a star player tend to be punished at some point over six games. Auburn will become the first title winners to have dropped three of its last four games entering the bracket.
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