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-v3.2

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 1-16 matchup as expected.
8Iowa State
9Syracuse
Iowa State
—
Iowa State's home-court advantage in Texas region.
5Maryland
12Murray State
Maryland
—
Maryland's tournament experience beats Murray State's Cinderella potential.
4North Carolina
13Western Illinois
North Carolina
—
UNC's talent overwhelms Western Illinois.
6Notre Dame
11Fairfield
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame's defense stifles Fairfield's offense.
3Ohio State
14Howard
Ohio State
—
Ohio State's athleticism too much for Howard.
7Illinois
10Colorado
Illinois
—
Illinois edges Colorado in tight 7-10 matchup.
2Vanderbilt
15High Point
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt easily handles High Point.
1UConn
8Iowa State
UConn
—
UConn beats Iowa State in comfortable second round.
5Maryland
4North Carolina
North Carolina
—
UNC edges Maryland in ACC rivalry rematch.
6Notre Dame
3Ohio State
Ohio State
—
Ohio State beats Notre Dame with superior guard play.
7Illinois
2Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt handles Illinois with defensive intensity.
1UConn
4North Carolina
UConn
—
UConn beats UNC to reach Elite Eight.
3Ohio State
2Vanderbilt
Ohio State
—
Ohio State upsets Vanderbilt in Sweet 16.
1UConn
3Ohio State
UConn
—
UConn beats Ohio State to win Fort Worth 1 region.
FORT WORTH 3
1UCLA
16California Baptist
UCLA
—
UCLA cruises past California Baptist.
8Oklahoma State
9Princeton
Princeton
—
Princeton's disciplined system upsets Oklahoma State.
5Ole Miss
12Gonzaga
Ole Miss
—
Ole Miss beats Gonzaga in physical matchup.
4Minnesota
13Green Bay
Minnesota
—
Minnesota handles Green Bay's upset attempt.
6Baylor
11Nebraska
Baylor
—
Baylor beats Nebraska in battle-tested matchup.
3Duke
14Col. of Charleston
Duke
—
Duke dominates College of Charleston.
7Texas Tech
10Villanova
Villanova
—
Villanova upsets Texas Tech with three-point shooting.
2LSU
15Jacksonville
LSU
—
LSU easily handles Jacksonville.
1UCLA
9Princeton
UCLA
—
UCLA handles Princeton's upset bid.
5Ole Miss
4Minnesota
Minnesota
—
Minnesota beats Ole Miss in physical Big Ten matchup.
6Baylor
3Duke
Baylor
—
Baylor beats Villanova with inside presence.
10Villanova
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU handles Duke comfortably.
1UCLA
4Minnesota
UCLA
—
UCLA beats Minnesota to reach Elite Eight.
6Baylor
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU edges Baylor in Sweet 16 defensive battle.
1UCLA
2LSU
UCLA
—
UCLA beats LSU to win Fort Worth 3 region.
SACRAMENTO 2
1South Carolina
16Samford
South Carolina
—
South Carolina dominates First Four winner.
8Clemson
9Southern California
Southern California
—
USC's guard play beats Clemson's physicality.
5Michigan State
12Colorado State
Michigan State
—
Michigan State's defense handles Colorado State.
4Oklahoma
13Idaho
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma's offense overwhelms Idaho.
6Washington
11South Dakota State
Washington
—
Washington survives South Dakota State's upset bid.
3TCU
14UC San Diego
TCU
—
TCU comfortably beats UC San Diego.
7Georgia
10Virginia
Georgia
—
Georgia's SEC experience beats Virginia in 7-10 matchup.
2Iowa
15FDU
Iowa
—
Iowa dominates FDU.
1South Carolina
9Southern California
South Carolina
—
South Carolina handles USC's challenge.
5Michigan State
4Oklahoma
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma upsets Michigan State in high-scoring game.
6Washington
3TCU
TCU
—
TCU beats Washington in defensive battle.
7Georgia
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa handles Georgia's physicality.
1South Carolina
4Oklahoma
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats Oklahoma to reach Elite Eight.
3TCU
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa edges TCU in Sweet 16 thriller.
1South Carolina
2Iowa
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats Iowa to win Sacramento 2 region.
SACRAMENTO 4
1Texas
16SFA
Texas
—
Texas dominates First Four winner.
8Oregon
9Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech
—
Virginia Tech upsets Oregon in 8-9 matchup.
5Kentucky
12James Madison
Kentucky
—
Kentucky beats James Madison with athleticism.
4West Virginia
13Miami (Ohio)
West Virginia
—
West Virginia's defense stifles Miami (Ohio).
6Alabama
11Rhode Island
Alabama
—
Alabama survives Rhode Island's upset bid.
3Louisville
14Vermont
Louisville
—
Louisville handles Vermont comfortably.
7NC State
10Tennessee
NC State
—
NC State edges Tennessee in defensive battle.
2Michigan
15Holy Cross
Michigan
—
Michigan dominates Holy Cross.
1Texas
9Virginia Tech
Texas
—
Texas handles Virginia Tech's upset bid.
5Kentucky
4West Virginia
West Virginia
—
West Virginia upsets Kentucky with defense.
6Alabama
3Louisville
Louisville
—
Louisville beats Alabama in Sweet 16 preview.
7NC State
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan edges NC State in second round.
1Texas
4West Virginia
Texas
—
Texas beats West Virginia to reach Elite Eight.
3Louisville
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan upsets Louisville in Sweet 16.
1Texas
2Michigan
Texas
—
Texas beats Michigan to win Sacramento 4 region.
1UConn
1South Carolina
South Carolina
—
South Carolina's defense beats UConn in Final Four.
1South Carolina
1Texas
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats Texas for national championship.
1UCLA
1Texas
Texas
—
Texas beats UCLA with athleticism in Final Four.
South Carolina
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
SFA
—
Methodology

How this model filled the bracket

Weighted model favoring top-tier programs with strong tournament pedigrees, while identifying strategic upset opportunities in vulnerable 4-7 seed matchups.

Philosophy

Balance between historical program success, recent tournament performance, and potential for high-variance upsets to maximize bracket differentiation.

Upset strategy

Target 5-12 and 6-11 matchups where lower seeds have strong defensive profiles, avoid early upsets of 1-4 seeds.

Championship logic

South Carolina's elite defense and championship experience prevail in tight matchups against balanced competition.

Key factors

  • Program tournament pedigree and historical success
  • Seed strength and matchups in region
  • Defensive efficiency metrics for low-seed upset potential
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 pedigree gives edge over Pac-12 opponent.
First FourSacramento 2 16

#16 Southern U. vs #16 Samford

Picked: Samford

Hover to inspect
Samford's program consistency beats Southern U's athleticism.
First FourFort Worth 3 11

#11 Nebraska vs #11 Richmond

Picked: Nebraska

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Nebraska's Big Ten schedule prepares them better than Richmond.
First FourSacramento 4 16

#16 Missouri State vs #16 SFA

Picked: SFA

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SFA's tournament experience gives slight edge over Missouri State.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #16 UTSA

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn dominates 1-16 matchup as expected.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Iowa State vs #9 Syracuse

Picked: Iowa State

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Iowa State's home-court advantage in Texas region.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Maryland vs #12 Murray State

Picked: Maryland

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Maryland's tournament experience beats Murray State's Cinderella potential.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 North Carolina vs #13 Western Illinois

Picked: North Carolina

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UNC's talent overwhelms Western Illinois.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Notre Dame vs #11 Fairfield

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame's defense stifles Fairfield's offense.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Ohio State vs #14 Howard

Picked: Ohio State

Hover to inspect
Ohio State's athleticism too much for Howard.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Illinois vs #10 Colorado

Picked: Illinois

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Illinois edges Colorado in tight 7-10 matchup.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Vanderbilt vs #15 High Point

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt easily handles High Point.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #16 Samford

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina dominates First Four winner.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Clemson vs #9 Southern California

Picked: Southern California

Hover to inspect
USC's guard play beats Clemson's physicality.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Michigan State vs #12 Colorado State

Picked: Michigan State

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

#4 Oklahoma vs #13 Idaho

Picked: Oklahoma

Hover to inspect
Oklahoma's offense overwhelms Idaho.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Washington vs #11 South Dakota State

Picked: Washington

Hover to inspect
Washington survives South Dakota State's upset bid.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 TCU vs #14 UC San Diego

Picked: TCU

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

#7 Georgia vs #10 Virginia

Picked: Georgia

Hover to inspect
Georgia's SEC experience beats Virginia in 7-10 matchup.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Iowa vs #15 FDU

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa dominates FDU.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #16 California Baptist

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA cruises past California Baptist.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oklahoma State vs #9 Princeton

Picked: Princeton

Hover to inspect
Princeton's disciplined system upsets Oklahoma State.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Ole Miss vs #12 Gonzaga

Picked: Ole Miss

Hover to inspect
Ole Miss beats Gonzaga in physical matchup.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Minnesota vs #13 Green Bay

Picked: Minnesota

Hover to inspect
Minnesota handles Green Bay's upset attempt.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Baylor vs #11 Nebraska

Picked: Baylor

Hover to inspect
Baylor beats Nebraska in battle-tested matchup.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Duke vs #14 Col. of Charleston

Picked: Duke

Hover to inspect
Duke dominates College of Charleston.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Texas Tech vs #10 Villanova

Picked: Villanova

Hover to inspect
Villanova upsets Texas Tech with three-point shooting.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 LSU vs #15 Jacksonville

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU easily handles Jacksonville.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #16 SFA

Picked: Texas

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Texas dominates First Four winner.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oregon vs #9 Virginia Tech

Picked: Virginia Tech

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Virginia Tech upsets Oregon in 8-9 matchup.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Kentucky vs #12 James Madison

Picked: Kentucky

Hover to inspect
Kentucky beats James Madison with athleticism.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 West Virginia vs #13 Miami (Ohio)

Picked: West Virginia

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West Virginia's defense stifles Miami (Ohio).
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Alabama vs #11 Rhode Island

Picked: Alabama

Hover to inspect
Alabama survives Rhode Island's upset bid.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Louisville vs #14 Vermont

Picked: Louisville

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Louisville handles Vermont comfortably.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 NC State vs #10 Tennessee

Picked: NC State

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NC State edges Tennessee in defensive battle.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Michigan vs #15 Holy Cross

Picked: Michigan

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Michigan dominates Holy Cross.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #8 Iowa State

Picked: UConn

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UConn beats Iowa State in comfortable second round.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Maryland vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: North Carolina

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UNC edges Maryland in ACC rivalry rematch.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Notre Dame vs #3 Ohio State

Picked: Ohio State

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Ohio State beats Notre Dame with superior guard play.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Illinois vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt handles Illinois with defensive intensity.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #9 Southern California

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina handles USC's challenge.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Michigan State vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: Oklahoma

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Oklahoma upsets Michigan State in high-scoring game.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Washington vs #3 TCU

Picked: TCU

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TCU beats Washington in defensive battle.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Georgia vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

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Iowa handles Georgia's physicality.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #9 Princeton

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA handles Princeton's upset bid.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Ole Miss vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: Minnesota

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Minnesota beats Ole Miss in physical Big Ten matchup.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Baylor vs #3 Duke

Picked: Baylor

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Baylor beats Villanova with inside presence.
2nd RoundGame 4

#10 Villanova vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

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LSU handles Duke comfortably.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #9 Virginia Tech

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas handles Virginia Tech's upset bid.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Kentucky vs #4 West Virginia

Picked: West Virginia

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West Virginia upsets Kentucky with defense.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Alabama vs #3 Louisville

Picked: Louisville

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Louisville beats Alabama in Sweet 16 preview.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 NC State vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

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Michigan edges NC State in second round.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UConn vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: UConn

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UConn beats UNC to reach Elite Eight.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Ohio State vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Ohio State

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Ohio State upsets Vanderbilt in Sweet 16.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 South Carolina vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina beats Oklahoma to reach Elite Eight.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 TCU vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

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Iowa edges TCU in Sweet 16 thriller.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UCLA vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: UCLA

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UCLA beats Minnesota to reach Elite Eight.
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Baylor vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

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LSU edges Baylor in Sweet 16 defensive battle.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 Texas vs #4 West Virginia

Picked: Texas

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Texas beats West Virginia to reach Elite Eight.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Louisville vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

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Michigan upsets Louisville in Sweet 16.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UConn vs #3 Ohio State

Picked: UConn

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UConn beats Ohio State to win Fort Worth 1 region.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 South Carolina vs #2 Iowa

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina beats Iowa to win Sacramento 2 region.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UCLA vs #2 LSU

Picked: UCLA

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UCLA beats LSU to win Fort Worth 3 region.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 Texas vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas beats Michigan to win Sacramento 4 region.
Final FourFinal Four 1

#1 UConn vs #1 South Carolina

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina's defense beats UConn in Final Four.
Final FourFinal Four 2

#1 UCLA vs #1 Texas

Picked: Texas

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Texas beats UCLA with athleticism in Final Four.
ChampionshipChampionship

#1 South Carolina vs #1 Texas

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina beats Texas for national championship.