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

kimi-k2-instruct-0905

Generated Mar 19, 4:07 AM · ready

1st Round2nd RoundSweet 16Elite 8Final FourChampionshipFinal FourElite 8Sweet 162nd Round1st Round
FORT WORTH 1
1UConn
16UTSA
UConn
—
Defending champions roll past overmatched UTSA.
8Iowa State
9Syracuse
Iowa State
—
Iowa State's tournament experience trumps Syracuse's zone.
5Maryland
12Murray State
Maryland
—
Maryland's athleticism overwhelms Murray State's shooters.
4North Carolina
13Western Illinois
North Carolina
—
UNC's size and speed too much for Western Illinois.
6Notre Dame
11Fairfield
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame's tournament pedigree dominates Fairfield.
3Ohio State
14Howard
Ohio State
—
Ohio State's balanced attack cruises past Howard.
7Illinois
10Colorado
Illinois
—
Illinois' defense clamps down on Colorado's shooters.
2Vanderbilt
15High Point
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt's SEC strength overcomes High Point's hustle.
1UConn
8Iowa State
UConn
—
UConn's championship pedigree handles Iowa State's challenge.
5Maryland
4North Carolina
Maryland
—
Maryland's athleticism edges UNC in physical battle.
6Notre Dame
3Ohio State
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame's tournament experience overcomes Ohio State.
7Illinois
2Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt's SEC strength wears down Illinois' defense.
1UConn
5Maryland
UConn
—
UConn's championship experience dominates Maryland's youth.
6Notre Dame
2Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame's tournament grit edges Vanderbilt's shooting.
1UConn
6Notre Dame
UConn
—
UConn's championship DNA dominates Notre Dame's challenge.
FORT WORTH 3
1UCLA
16California Baptist
UCLA
—
UCLA's championship experience dominates Cal Baptist.
8Oklahoma State
9Princeton
Oklahoma State
—
Oklahoma State's Big 12 toughness handles Princeton's system.
5Ole Miss
12Gonzaga
Ole Miss
—
Ole Miss's SEC athleticism wears down Gonzaga's shooters.
4Minnesota
13Green Bay
Minnesota
—
Minnesota's size advantage dominates Green Bay inside.
6Baylor
11Nebraska
Nebraska
—
Nebraska's physical play edges Baylor in defensive battle.
3Duke
14Col. of Charleston
Duke
—
Duke's tournament pedigree cruises past Charleston.
7Texas Tech
10Villanova
Texas Tech
—
Texas Tech's defense clamps Villanova's perimeter game.
2LSU
15Jacksonville
LSU
—
LSU's championship experience handles Jacksonville's pressure.
1UCLA
8Oklahoma State
UCLA
—
UCLA's championship experience handles Oklahoma State.
5Ole Miss
4Minnesota
Minnesota
—
Minnesota's size advantage wears down Ole Miss inside.
11Nebraska
3Duke
Duke
—
Duke's tournament pedigree edges Nebraska's physical game.
7Texas Tech
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU's championship experience handles Texas Tech's defense.
1UCLA
4Minnesota
UCLA
—
UCLA's tournament pedigree handles Minnesota's size.
3Duke
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU's championship experience edges Duke's youth.
1UCLA
2LSU
UCLA
—
UCLA's tournament experience handles LSU's championship hangover.
SACRAMENTO 2
1South Carolina
16Samford
South Carolina
—
Top seed South Carolina's defense smothers Samford.
8Clemson
9Southern California
Clemson
—
Clemson's ACC battle-tested roster edges USC.
5Michigan State
12Colorado State
Michigan State
—
Michigan State's physical style wears down Colorado State.
4Oklahoma
13Idaho
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma's tournament experience handles Idaho's pressure.
6Washington
11South Dakota State
Washington
—
Washington's Pac-12 speed neutralizes South Dakota State.
3TCU
14UC San Diego
TCU
—
TCU's home-state advantage powers past UC San Diego.
7Georgia
10Virginia
Virginia
—
Virginia's tournament grit outlasts Georgia's athleticism.
2Iowa
15FDU
Iowa
—
Iowa's high-powered offense overwhelms FDU's defense.
1South Carolina
8Clemson
South Carolina
—
South Carolina's defense clamps down on Clemson's shooters.
5Michigan State
4Oklahoma
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma's tournament experience edges Michigan State's physicality.
6Washington
3TCU
TCU
—
TCU's home-state advantage powers past Washington.
10Virginia
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa's offensive firepower overwhelms Virginia's defense.
1South Carolina
4Oklahoma
South Carolina
—
South Carolina's defense clamps Oklahoma's perimeter game.
3TCU
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa's offensive explosion overwhelms TCU's defense.
1South Carolina
2Iowa
South Carolina
—
South Carolina's defense contains Iowa's high-powered offense.
SACRAMENTO 4
1Texas
16Missouri State
Texas
—
Texas' tournament experience powers past Missouri State.
8Oregon
9Virginia Tech
Oregon
—
Oregon's Pac-12 speed edges Virginia Tech's physicality.
5Kentucky
12James Madison
Kentucky
—
Kentucky's SEC strength wears down James Madison.
4West Virginia
13Miami (Ohio)
West Virginia
—
West Virginia's press defense overwhelms Miami Ohio.
6Alabama
11Rhode Island
Alabama
—
Alabama's tournament experience handles Rhode Island's upset bid.
3Louisville
14Vermont
Louisville
—
Louisville's athleticism overpowers Vermont's shooters.
7NC State
10Tennessee
Tennessee
—
Tennessee's tournament grit edges NC State in close battle.
2Michigan
15Holy Cross
Michigan
—
Michigan's balanced attack cruises past Holy Cross.
1Texas
8Oregon
Texas
—
Texas' tournament toughness edges Oregon's speed.
5Kentucky
4West Virginia
Kentucky
—
Kentucky's SEC athleticism overcomes West Virginia's press.
6Alabama
3Louisville
Louisville
—
Louisville's experience handles Alabama's upset bid.
10Tennessee
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan's balanced attack wears down Tennessee's defense.
1Texas
5Kentucky
Texas
—
Texas' tournament toughness wears down Kentucky's athleticism.
3Louisville
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan's balanced attack handles Louisville's pressure.
1Texas
2Michigan
Texas
—
Texas' tournament grit edges Michigan's balanced attack.
1UConn
1South Carolina
UConn
—
UConn's championship pedigree outlasts South Carolina's defense.
1UConn
1UCLA
UConn
—
UConn's championship DNA and tournament experience deliver repeat title.
1UCLA
1Texas
UCLA
—
UCLA's tournament experience handles Texas' upset bid.
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

Seed-based predictive model emphasizing historical tournament performance, regular season strength, and matchup-specific advantages.

Philosophy

Balance seed strength with proven March success, favoring teams with elite coaching, tournament experience, and defensive efficiency while selectively targeting high-upset spots where lower seeds have clear tactical advantages.

Upset strategy

Target 5-12 seed matchups where lower seeds possess superior guard play, perimeter shooting, or defensive schemes that exploit higher seed weaknesses; emphasize 11-seeds with tournament experience.

Championship logic

UConn's combination of championship pedigree, elite defense, and clutch tournament performance overcomes field for repeat title.

Key factors

  • Historical tournament performance
  • Defensive efficiency metrics
  • Coaching experience in March
  • Matchup-specific advantages
  • Seed-based baseline probability
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 edges ASU's inconsistent season.
First FourSacramento 2 16

#16 Southern U. vs #16 Samford

Picked: Samford

Hover to inspect
Samford's balanced scoring outlasts Southern's athleticism.
First FourFort Worth 3 11

#11 Nebraska vs #11 Richmond

Picked: Nebraska

Hover to inspect
Nebraska's Big Ten toughness overcomes Richmond's perimeter game.
First FourSacramento 4 16

#16 Missouri State vs #16 SFA

Picked: Missouri State

Hover to inspect
Missouri State's tournament experience prevails in close battle.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #16 UTSA

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
Defending champions roll past overmatched UTSA.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Iowa State vs #9 Syracuse

Picked: Iowa State

Hover to inspect
Iowa State's tournament experience trumps Syracuse's zone.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Maryland vs #12 Murray State

Picked: Maryland

Hover to inspect
Maryland's athleticism overwhelms Murray State's shooters.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 North Carolina vs #13 Western Illinois

Picked: North Carolina

Hover to inspect
UNC's size and speed too much for Western Illinois.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Notre Dame vs #11 Fairfield

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame's tournament pedigree dominates Fairfield.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Ohio State vs #14 Howard

Picked: Ohio State

Hover to inspect
Ohio State's balanced attack cruises past Howard.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Illinois vs #10 Colorado

Picked: Illinois

Hover to inspect
Illinois' defense clamps down on Colorado's shooters.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Vanderbilt vs #15 High Point

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt's SEC strength overcomes High Point's hustle.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #16 Samford

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
Top seed South Carolina's defense smothers Samford.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Clemson vs #9 Southern California

Picked: Clemson

Hover to inspect
Clemson's ACC battle-tested roster edges USC.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Michigan State vs #12 Colorado State

Picked: Michigan State

Hover to inspect
Michigan State's physical style wears down Colorado State.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Oklahoma vs #13 Idaho

Picked: Oklahoma

Hover to inspect
Oklahoma's tournament experience handles Idaho's pressure.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Washington vs #11 South Dakota State

Picked: Washington

Hover to inspect
Washington's Pac-12 speed neutralizes South Dakota State.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 TCU vs #14 UC San Diego

Picked: TCU

Hover to inspect
TCU's home-state advantage powers past UC San Diego.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Georgia vs #10 Virginia

Picked: Virginia

Hover to inspect
Virginia's tournament grit outlasts Georgia's athleticism.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Iowa vs #15 FDU

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa's high-powered offense overwhelms FDU's defense.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #16 California Baptist

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA's championship experience dominates Cal Baptist.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oklahoma State vs #9 Princeton

Picked: Oklahoma State

Hover to inspect
Oklahoma State's Big 12 toughness handles Princeton's system.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Ole Miss vs #12 Gonzaga

Picked: Ole Miss

Hover to inspect
Ole Miss's SEC athleticism wears down Gonzaga's shooters.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Minnesota vs #13 Green Bay

Picked: Minnesota

Hover to inspect
Minnesota's size advantage dominates Green Bay inside.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Baylor vs #11 Nebraska

Picked: Nebraska

Hover to inspect
Nebraska's physical play edges Baylor in defensive battle.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Duke vs #14 Col. of Charleston

Picked: Duke

Hover to inspect
Duke's tournament pedigree cruises past Charleston.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Texas Tech vs #10 Villanova

Picked: Texas Tech

Hover to inspect
Texas Tech's defense clamps Villanova's perimeter game.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 LSU vs #15 Jacksonville

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU's championship experience handles Jacksonville's pressure.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #16 Missouri State

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas' tournament experience powers past Missouri State.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oregon vs #9 Virginia Tech

Picked: Oregon

Hover to inspect
Oregon's Pac-12 speed edges Virginia Tech's physicality.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Kentucky vs #12 James Madison

Picked: Kentucky

Hover to inspect
Kentucky's SEC strength wears down James Madison.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 West Virginia vs #13 Miami (Ohio)

Picked: West Virginia

Hover to inspect
West Virginia's press defense overwhelms Miami Ohio.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Alabama vs #11 Rhode Island

Picked: Alabama

Hover to inspect
Alabama's tournament experience handles Rhode Island's upset bid.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Louisville vs #14 Vermont

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville's athleticism overpowers Vermont's shooters.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 NC State vs #10 Tennessee

Picked: Tennessee

Hover to inspect
Tennessee's tournament grit edges NC State in close battle.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Michigan vs #15 Holy Cross

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan's balanced attack cruises past Holy Cross.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #8 Iowa State

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's championship pedigree handles Iowa State's challenge.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Maryland vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: Maryland

Hover to inspect
Maryland's athleticism edges UNC in physical battle.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Notre Dame vs #3 Ohio State

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame's tournament experience overcomes Ohio State.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Illinois vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt's SEC strength wears down Illinois' defense.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #8 Clemson

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina's defense clamps down on Clemson's shooters.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Michigan State vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: Oklahoma

Hover to inspect
Oklahoma's tournament experience edges Michigan State's physicality.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Washington vs #3 TCU

Picked: TCU

Hover to inspect
TCU's home-state advantage powers past Washington.
2nd RoundGame 4

#10 Virginia vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa's offensive firepower overwhelms Virginia's defense.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #8 Oklahoma State

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA's championship experience handles Oklahoma State.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Ole Miss vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: Minnesota

Hover to inspect
Minnesota's size advantage wears down Ole Miss inside.
2nd RoundGame 3

#11 Nebraska vs #3 Duke

Picked: Duke

Hover to inspect
Duke's tournament pedigree edges Nebraska's physical game.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Texas Tech vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU's championship experience handles Texas Tech's defense.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #8 Oregon

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas' tournament toughness edges Oregon's speed.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Kentucky vs #4 West Virginia

Picked: Kentucky

Hover to inspect
Kentucky's SEC athleticism overcomes West Virginia's press.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Alabama vs #3 Louisville

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville's experience handles Alabama's upset bid.
2nd RoundGame 4

#10 Tennessee vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan's balanced attack wears down Tennessee's defense.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UConn vs #5 Maryland

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's championship experience dominates Maryland's youth.
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Notre Dame vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame's tournament grit edges Vanderbilt's shooting.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 South Carolina vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina's defense clamps Oklahoma's perimeter game.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 TCU vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa's offensive explosion overwhelms TCU's defense.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UCLA vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA's tournament pedigree handles Minnesota's size.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Duke vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU's championship experience edges Duke's youth.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 Texas vs #5 Kentucky

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas' tournament toughness wears down Kentucky's athleticism.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Louisville vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan's balanced attack handles Louisville's pressure.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UConn vs #6 Notre Dame

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's championship DNA dominates Notre Dame's challenge.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 South Carolina vs #2 Iowa

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina's defense contains Iowa's high-powered offense.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UCLA vs #2 LSU

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA's tournament experience handles LSU's championship hangover.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 Texas vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas' tournament grit edges Michigan's balanced attack.
Final FourFinal Four 1

#1 UConn vs #1 South Carolina

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's championship pedigree outlasts South Carolina's defense.
Final FourFinal Four 2

#1 UCLA vs #1 Texas

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA's tournament experience handles Texas' upset bid.
ChampionshipChampionship

#1 UConn vs #1 UCLA

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's championship DNA and tournament experience deliver repeat title.