AI Bracket Challenge

Scoring

Round-by-round ESPN scoring

Each settled game shows its own point result inside the bracket. These totals roll up the same 10-20-40-80-160-320 scoring used by ESPN.

First Four00/0 correct · 0 each
1st Round00/0 correct · 10 each
2nd Round00/0 correct · 20 each
Sweet 1600/0 correct · 40 each
Elite 800/0 correct · 80 each
Final Four00/0 correct · 160 each
Championship00/0 correct · 320 each
Bracket view

deepseek-v3.1-terminus

Generated Mar 19, 4:07 AM · ready

1st Round2nd RoundSweet 16Elite 8Final FourChampionshipFinal FourElite 8Sweet 162nd Round1st Round
FORT WORTH 1
1UConn
16UTSA
UConn
—
UConn dominates as expected.
8Iowa State
9Syracuse
Iowa State
—
Iowa State's defense overcomes Syracuse.
5Maryland
12Murray State
Maryland
—
Maryland's talent advantage prevails.
4North Carolina
13Western Illinois
North Carolina
—
UNC handles the lower seed comfortably.
6Notre Dame
11Fairfield
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame's program pedigree wins.
3Ohio State
14Howard
Ohio State
—
Ohio State dominates the mismatch.
7Illinois
10Colorado
Illinois
—
Illinois edges Colorado in a close game.
2Vanderbilt
15High Point
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt cruises past High Point.
1UConn
8Iowa State
UConn
—
UConn handles Iowa State.
5Maryland
4North Carolina
North Carolina
—
UNC edges Maryland in a battle.
6Notre Dame
3Ohio State
Ohio State
—
Ohio State defeats Notre Dame.
7Illinois
2Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt defeats Illinois.
1UConn
4North Carolina
UConn
—
UConn advances past UNC.
3Ohio State
2Vanderbilt
Ohio State
—
Ohio State upsets Vanderbilt.
1UConn
3Ohio State
UConn
—
UConn defeats Ohio State for regional title.
FORT WORTH 3
1UCLA
16California Baptist
UCLA
—
UCLA dominates California Baptist.
8Oklahoma State
9Princeton
Princeton
—
Princeton upsets Oklahoma State.
5Ole Miss
12Gonzaga
Ole Miss
—
Ole Miss handles Gonzaga.
4Minnesota
13Green Bay
Minnesota
—
Minnesota defeats Green Bay.
6Baylor
11Nebraska
Baylor
—
Baylor defeats Nebraska.
3Duke
14Col. of Charleston
Duke
—
Duke advances past Charleston.
7Texas Tech
10Villanova
Texas Tech
—
Texas Tech edges Villanova.
2LSU
15Jacksonville
LSU
—
LSU dominates Jacksonville.
1UCLA
9Princeton
UCLA
—
UCLA defeats Princeton.
5Ole Miss
4Minnesota
Minnesota
—
Minnesota upsets Ole Miss.
6Baylor
3Duke
Duke
—
Duke defeats Baylor.
7Texas Tech
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU handles Texas Tech.
1UCLA
4Minnesota
UCLA
—
UCLA defeats Minnesota.
3Duke
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU edges Duke.
1UCLA
2LSU
UCLA
—
UCLA defeats LSU for regional title.
SACRAMENTO 2
1South Carolina
16Samford
South Carolina
—
South Carolina dominates the play-in winner.
8Clemson
9Southern California
Southern California
—
USC's talent overcomes Clemson.
5Michigan State
12Colorado State
Michigan State
—
Michigan State handles Colorado State.
4Oklahoma
13Idaho
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma advances comfortably.
6Washington
11South Dakota State
Washington
—
Washington edges South Dakota State.
3TCU
14UC San Diego
TCU
—
TCU dominates UC San Diego.
7Georgia
10Virginia
Georgia
—
Georgia defeats Virginia in a tight contest.
2Iowa
15FDU
Iowa
—
Iowa cruises past FDU.
1South Carolina
9Southern California
South Carolina
—
South Carolina defeats USC.
5Michigan State
4Oklahoma
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma edges Michigan State.
6Washington
3TCU
TCU
—
TCU defeats Washington.
7Georgia
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa handles Georgia.
1South Carolina
4Oklahoma
South Carolina
—
South Carolina defeats Oklahoma.
3TCU
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa edges TCU.
1South Carolina
2Iowa
South Carolina
—
South Carolina defeats Iowa for regional title.
SACRAMENTO 4
1Texas
16Missouri State
Texas
—
Texas handles the play-in winner.
8Oregon
9Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech
—
Virginia Tech upsets Oregon.
5Kentucky
12James Madison
Kentucky
—
Kentucky defeats James Madison.
4West Virginia
13Miami (Ohio)
West Virginia
—
West Virginia handles Miami Ohio.
6Alabama
11Rhode Island
Alabama
—
Alabama defeats Rhode Island.
3Louisville
14Vermont
Louisville
—
Louisville advances past Vermont.
7NC State
10Tennessee
NC State
—
NC State edges Tennessee.
2Michigan
15Holy Cross
Michigan
—
Michigan dominates Holy Cross.
1Texas
9Virginia Tech
Texas
—
Texas defeats Virginia Tech.
5Kentucky
4West Virginia
West Virginia
—
West Virginia edges Kentucky.
6Alabama
3Louisville
Louisville
—
Louisville defeats Alabama.
7NC State
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan defeats NC State.
1Texas
4West Virginia
Texas
—
Texas defeats West Virginia.
3Louisville
2Michigan
Louisville
—
Louisville upsets Michigan.
1Texas
3Louisville
Texas
—
Texas defeats Louisville for regional title.
1UConn
1South Carolina
UConn
—
UConn edges South Carolina in Final Four.
1UConn
1UCLA
UConn
—
UConn wins championship over UCLA.
1UCLA
1Texas
UCLA
—
UCLA defeats Texas.
UConn
First Four
Sacramento 2 10
10Virginia
10Arizona State
Virginia
—
Sacramento 2 16
16Southern U.
16Samford
Samford
—
Fort Worth 3 11
11Nebraska
11Richmond
Nebraska
—
Sacramento 4 16
16Missouri State
16SFA
Missouri State
—
Methodology

How this model filled the bracket

Balanced approach favoring top seeds while strategically targeting 1-2 upsets per region to maximize bracket potential.

Philosophy

Prioritize chalk picks for Sweet 16 advancement, then identify favorable matchups for controlled upsets in later rounds.

Upset strategy

Target 8/9 and 7/10 games where lower seeds have proven tournament success, avoid major upsets early.

Championship logic

UConn's championship pedigree and balanced roster overcome South Carolina's depth in a classic battle.

Key factors

  • Recent tournament performance trends
  • Program prestige and coaching stability
  • Matchup-specific advantages
Decision log

Hover each matchup to read the reasoning

Every entry below is compact by default. Mouse over or focus a note to open the full explanation.

First FourSacramento 2 10

#10 Virginia vs #10 Arizona State

Picked: Virginia

Hover to inspect
Virginia's ACC experience gives them the edge.
First FourSacramento 2 16

#16 Southern U. vs #16 Samford

Picked: Samford

Hover to inspect
Samford's disciplined system prevails.
First FourFort Worth 3 11

#11 Nebraska vs #11 Richmond

Picked: Nebraska

Hover to inspect
Nebraska's Big Ten competition level wins out.
First FourSacramento 4 16

#16 Missouri State vs #16 SFA

Picked: Missouri State

Hover to inspect
Missouri State's tournament experience proves decisive.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #16 UTSA

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn dominates as expected.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Iowa State vs #9 Syracuse

Picked: Iowa State

Hover to inspect
Iowa State's defense overcomes Syracuse.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Maryland vs #12 Murray State

Picked: Maryland

Hover to inspect
Maryland's talent advantage prevails.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 North Carolina vs #13 Western Illinois

Picked: North Carolina

Hover to inspect
UNC handles the lower seed comfortably.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Notre Dame vs #11 Fairfield

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame's program pedigree wins.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Ohio State vs #14 Howard

Picked: Ohio State

Hover to inspect
Ohio State dominates the mismatch.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Illinois vs #10 Colorado

Picked: Illinois

Hover to inspect
Illinois edges Colorado in a close game.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Vanderbilt vs #15 High Point

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt cruises past High Point.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #16 Samford

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina dominates the play-in winner.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Clemson vs #9 Southern California

Picked: Southern California

Hover to inspect
USC's talent overcomes Clemson.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Michigan State vs #12 Colorado State

Picked: Michigan State

Hover to inspect
Michigan State handles Colorado State.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Oklahoma vs #13 Idaho

Picked: Oklahoma

Hover to inspect
Oklahoma advances comfortably.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Washington vs #11 South Dakota State

Picked: Washington

Hover to inspect
Washington edges South Dakota State.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 TCU vs #14 UC San Diego

Picked: TCU

Hover to inspect
TCU dominates UC San Diego.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Georgia vs #10 Virginia

Picked: Georgia

Hover to inspect
Georgia defeats Virginia in a tight contest.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Iowa vs #15 FDU

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa cruises past FDU.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #16 California Baptist

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA dominates California Baptist.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oklahoma State vs #9 Princeton

Picked: Princeton

Hover to inspect
Princeton upsets Oklahoma State.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Ole Miss vs #12 Gonzaga

Picked: Ole Miss

Hover to inspect
Ole Miss handles Gonzaga.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Minnesota vs #13 Green Bay

Picked: Minnesota

Hover to inspect
Minnesota defeats Green Bay.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Baylor vs #11 Nebraska

Picked: Baylor

Hover to inspect
Baylor defeats Nebraska.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Duke vs #14 Col. of Charleston

Picked: Duke

Hover to inspect
Duke advances past Charleston.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Texas Tech vs #10 Villanova

Picked: Texas Tech

Hover to inspect
Texas Tech edges Villanova.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 LSU vs #15 Jacksonville

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU dominates Jacksonville.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #16 Missouri State

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas handles the play-in winner.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oregon vs #9 Virginia Tech

Picked: Virginia Tech

Hover to inspect
Virginia Tech upsets Oregon.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Kentucky vs #12 James Madison

Picked: Kentucky

Hover to inspect
Kentucky defeats James Madison.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 West Virginia vs #13 Miami (Ohio)

Picked: West Virginia

Hover to inspect
West Virginia handles Miami Ohio.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Alabama vs #11 Rhode Island

Picked: Alabama

Hover to inspect
Alabama defeats Rhode Island.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Louisville vs #14 Vermont

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville advances past Vermont.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 NC State vs #10 Tennessee

Picked: NC State

Hover to inspect
NC State edges Tennessee.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Michigan vs #15 Holy Cross

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan dominates Holy Cross.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #8 Iowa State

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn handles Iowa State.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Maryland vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: North Carolina

Hover to inspect
UNC edges Maryland in a battle.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Notre Dame vs #3 Ohio State

Picked: Ohio State

Hover to inspect
Ohio State defeats Notre Dame.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Illinois vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt defeats Illinois.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #9 Southern California

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina defeats USC.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Michigan State vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: Oklahoma

Hover to inspect
Oklahoma edges Michigan State.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Washington vs #3 TCU

Picked: TCU

Hover to inspect
TCU defeats Washington.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Georgia vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa handles Georgia.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #9 Princeton

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA defeats Princeton.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Ole Miss vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: Minnesota

Hover to inspect
Minnesota upsets Ole Miss.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Baylor vs #3 Duke

Picked: Duke

Hover to inspect
Duke defeats Baylor.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Texas Tech vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU handles Texas Tech.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #9 Virginia Tech

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas defeats Virginia Tech.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Kentucky vs #4 West Virginia

Picked: West Virginia

Hover to inspect
West Virginia edges Kentucky.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Alabama vs #3 Louisville

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville defeats Alabama.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 NC State vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan defeats NC State.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UConn vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn advances past UNC.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Ohio State vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Ohio State

Hover to inspect
Ohio State upsets Vanderbilt.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 South Carolina vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina defeats Oklahoma.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 TCU vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa edges TCU.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UCLA vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA defeats Minnesota.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Duke vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU edges Duke.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 Texas vs #4 West Virginia

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas defeats West Virginia.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Louisville vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville upsets Michigan.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UConn vs #3 Ohio State

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn defeats Ohio State for regional title.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 South Carolina vs #2 Iowa

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina defeats Iowa for regional title.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UCLA vs #2 LSU

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA defeats LSU for regional title.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 Texas vs #3 Louisville

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas defeats Louisville for regional title.
Final FourFinal Four 1

#1 UConn vs #1 South Carolina

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn edges South Carolina in Final Four.
Final FourFinal Four 2

#1 UCLA vs #1 Texas

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA defeats Texas.
ChampionshipChampionship

#1 UConn vs #1 UCLA

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn wins championship over UCLA.