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

qwen3-next-80b-a3b-instruct

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's dominance overwhelms 16-seed UTSA.
8Iowa State
9Syracuse
Iowa State
—
Iowa State's balanced offense beats Syracuse's defense.
5Maryland
12Murray State
Maryland
—
Maryland's size and pace control Murray State.
4North Carolina
13Western Illinois
North Carolina
—
North Carolina's athleticism overpowers Western Illinois.
6Notre Dame
11Fairfield
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame's perimeter shooting beats Fairfield's physicality.
3Ohio State
14Howard
Ohio State
—
Ohio State's depth and discipline defeat Howard.
7Illinois
10Colorado
Illinois
—
Illinois' transition game overwhelms Colorado.
2Vanderbilt
15High Point
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt's defense stifles High Point's offense.
1UConn
8Iowa State
UConn
—
UConn's dominance continues over Iowa State.
5Maryland
4North Carolina
North Carolina
—
North Carolina's athleticism overpowers Maryland.
6Notre Dame
3Ohio State
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame's shooting beats Ohio State's defense.
7Illinois
2Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt's defense stifles Illinois.
1UConn
4North Carolina
UConn
—
UConn's talent overwhelms North Carolina.
6Notre Dame
2Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame's shooting edge defeats Vanderbilt.
1UConn
6Notre Dame
UConn
—
UConn's championship pedigree prevails.
FORT WORTH 3
1UCLA
16California Baptist
UCLA
—
UCLA's talent overpowers California Baptist.
8Oklahoma State
9Princeton
Oklahoma State
—
Oklahoma State's experience beats Princeton's offense.
5Ole Miss
12Gonzaga
Ole Miss
—
Ole Miss' athleticism defeats Gonzaga's size.
4Minnesota
13Green Bay
Minnesota
—
Minnesota's defense controls Green Bay's pace.
6Baylor
11Nebraska
Baylor
—
Baylor's depth overwhelms Richmond.
3Duke
14Col. of Charleston
Duke
—
Duke's perimeter shooting beats College of Charleston.
7Texas Tech
10Villanova
Texas Tech
—
Texas Tech's defense stifles Villanova's offense.
2LSU
15Jacksonville
LSU
—
LSU's physicality overpowers Jacksonville.
1UCLA
8Oklahoma State
UCLA
—
UCLA's talent beats Oklahoma State.
5Ole Miss
4Minnesota
Ole Miss
—
Ole Miss' athleticism defeats Minnesota.
6Baylor
3Duke
Baylor
—
Baylor's depth overwhelms Duke.
7Texas Tech
2LSU
Texas Tech
—
Texas Tech's defense stifles LSU.
1UCLA
5Ole Miss
UCLA
—
UCLA's talent overpowers Ole Miss.
6Baylor
7Texas Tech
Baylor
—
Baylor's offense beats Texas Tech.
1UCLA
6Baylor
Baylor
—
Baylor's depth and defense win region.
SACRAMENTO 2
1South Carolina
16Southern U.
South Carolina
—
South Carolina's defense dominates Southern U.
8Clemson
9Southern California
Clemson
—
Clemson's physicality overpowers Southern Cal.
5Michigan State
12Colorado State
Michigan State
—
Michigan State's experience beats Colorado State.
4Oklahoma
13Idaho
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma's offense outpaces Idaho's defense.
6Washington
11South Dakota State
Washington
—
Washington's balanced attack defeats South Dakota State.
3TCU
14UC San Diego
TCU
—
TCU's defense neutralizes UC San Diego's speed.
7Georgia
10Virginia
Georgia
—
Georgia's size and rebounding edge Virginia.
2Iowa
15FDU
Iowa
—
Iowa's shooting overwhelms FDU's lack of depth.
1South Carolina
8Clemson
South Carolina
—
South Carolina's defense beats Clemson.
5Michigan State
4Oklahoma
Michigan State
—
Michigan State's experience beats Oklahoma.
6Washington
3TCU
Washington
—
Washington's depth defeats TCU.
7Georgia
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa's shooting overwhelms Georgia.
1South Carolina
5Michigan State
South Carolina
—
South Carolina's defense controls Michigan State.
6Washington
2Iowa
Washington
—
Washington's offense outpaces Iowa.
1South Carolina
6Washington
South Carolina
—
South Carolina's defense and depth win region.
SACRAMENTO 4
1Texas
16Missouri State
Texas
—
Texas' size and depth overwhelm Missouri State.
8Oregon
9Virginia Tech
Oregon
—
Oregon's speed and shooting beat Virginia Tech.
5Kentucky
12James Madison
Kentucky
—
Kentucky's athleticism defeats James Madison.
4West Virginia
13Miami (Ohio)
West Virginia
—
West Virginia's pressure defense beats Miami (Ohio).
6Alabama
11Rhode Island
Alabama
—
Alabama's rebounding overwhelms Rhode Island.
3Louisville
14Vermont
Louisville
—
Louisville's pace and depth defeat Vermont.
7NC State
10Tennessee
NC State
—
NC State's defense neutralizes Tennessee.
2Michigan
15Holy Cross
Michigan
—
Michigan's balanced attack beats Holy Cross.
1Texas
8Oregon
Texas
—
Texas' size defeats Oregon.
5Kentucky
4West Virginia
Kentucky
—
Kentucky's athleticism beats West Virginia.
6Alabama
3Louisville
Alabama
—
Alabama's rebounding defeats Louisville.
7NC State
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan's balanced attack beats NC State.
1Texas
5Kentucky
Texas
—
Texas' size overpowers Kentucky.
6Alabama
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan's depth defeats Alabama.
1Texas
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan's consistency and depth win region.
1UConn
1South Carolina
UConn
—
UConn's dominance overwhelms South Carolina.
1UConn
2Michigan
UConn
—
UConn's championship pedigree and depth win it all.
6Baylor
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan's offense edges Baylor's defense.
UConn
First Four
Sacramento 2 10
10Virginia
10Arizona State
Virginia
—
Sacramento 2 16
16Southern U.
16Samford
Southern U.
—
Fort Worth 3 11
11Nebraska
11Richmond
Nebraska
—
Sacramento 4 16
16Missouri State
16SFA
Missouri State
—
Methodology

How this model filled the bracket

UConn dominates as #1 seed; upsets occur in early rounds per historical trends.

Philosophy

Favor higher seeds unless clear underdog advantage; avoid Final Four upsets.

Upset strategy

10-7, 11-6, 12-5, 13-4 upsets at ~25% rate in Rounds 1-2.

Championship logic

UConn wins all games after tough but plausible Final Four win.

Key factors

  • Seed strength
  • Historical upset rates
  • Team consistency
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 defense overcomes Arizona State's inconsistency.
First FourSacramento 2 16

#16 Southern U. vs #16 Samford

Picked: Southern U.

Hover to inspect
Southern U. has deeper roster and better rebounding.
First FourFort Worth 3 11

#11 Nebraska vs #11 Richmond

Picked: Nebraska

Hover to inspect
Nebraska's experience edges out Richmond's youth.
First FourSacramento 4 16

#16 Missouri State vs #16 SFA

Picked: Missouri State

Hover to inspect
Missouri State's size overwhelms SFA's lack of depth.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #16 UTSA

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's dominance overwhelms 16-seed UTSA.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Iowa State vs #9 Syracuse

Picked: Iowa State

Hover to inspect
Iowa State's balanced offense beats Syracuse's defense.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Maryland vs #12 Murray State

Picked: Maryland

Hover to inspect
Maryland's size and pace control Murray State.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 North Carolina vs #13 Western Illinois

Picked: North Carolina

Hover to inspect
North Carolina's athleticism overpowers Western Illinois.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Notre Dame vs #11 Fairfield

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame's perimeter shooting beats Fairfield's physicality.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Ohio State vs #14 Howard

Picked: Ohio State

Hover to inspect
Ohio State's depth and discipline defeat Howard.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Illinois vs #10 Colorado

Picked: Illinois

Hover to inspect
Illinois' transition game overwhelms Colorado.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Vanderbilt vs #15 High Point

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt's defense stifles High Point's offense.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #16 Southern U.

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina's defense dominates Southern U.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Clemson vs #9 Southern California

Picked: Clemson

Hover to inspect
Clemson's physicality overpowers Southern Cal.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Michigan State vs #12 Colorado State

Picked: Michigan State

Hover to inspect
Michigan State's experience beats Colorado State.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Oklahoma vs #13 Idaho

Picked: Oklahoma

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

#6 Washington vs #11 South Dakota State

Picked: Washington

Hover to inspect
Washington's balanced attack defeats South Dakota State.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 TCU vs #14 UC San Diego

Picked: TCU

Hover to inspect
TCU's defense neutralizes UC San Diego's speed.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Georgia vs #10 Virginia

Picked: Georgia

Hover to inspect
Georgia's size and rebounding edge Virginia.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Iowa vs #15 FDU

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa's shooting overwhelms FDU's lack of depth.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #16 California Baptist

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA's talent overpowers California Baptist.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oklahoma State vs #9 Princeton

Picked: Oklahoma State

Hover to inspect
Oklahoma State's experience beats Princeton's offense.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Ole Miss vs #12 Gonzaga

Picked: Ole Miss

Hover to inspect
Ole Miss' athleticism defeats Gonzaga's size.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Minnesota vs #13 Green Bay

Picked: Minnesota

Hover to inspect
Minnesota's defense controls Green Bay's pace.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Baylor vs #11 Nebraska

Picked: Baylor

Hover to inspect
Baylor's depth overwhelms Richmond.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Duke vs #14 Col. of Charleston

Picked: Duke

Hover to inspect
Duke's perimeter shooting beats College of Charleston.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Texas Tech vs #10 Villanova

Picked: Texas Tech

Hover to inspect
Texas Tech's defense stifles Villanova's offense.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 LSU vs #15 Jacksonville

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU's physicality overpowers Jacksonville.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #16 Missouri State

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas' size and depth overwhelm Missouri State.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oregon vs #9 Virginia Tech

Picked: Oregon

Hover to inspect
Oregon's speed and shooting beat Virginia Tech.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Kentucky vs #12 James Madison

Picked: Kentucky

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

#4 West Virginia vs #13 Miami (Ohio)

Picked: West Virginia

Hover to inspect
West Virginia's pressure defense beats Miami (Ohio).
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Alabama vs #11 Rhode Island

Picked: Alabama

Hover to inspect
Alabama's rebounding overwhelms Rhode Island.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Louisville vs #14 Vermont

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville's pace and depth defeat Vermont.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 NC State vs #10 Tennessee

Picked: NC State

Hover to inspect
NC State's defense neutralizes Tennessee.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Michigan vs #15 Holy Cross

Picked: Michigan

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

#1 UConn vs #8 Iowa State

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's dominance continues over Iowa State.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Maryland vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: North Carolina

Hover to inspect
North Carolina's athleticism overpowers Maryland.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Notre Dame vs #3 Ohio State

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame's shooting beats Ohio State's defense.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Illinois vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt's defense stifles Illinois.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #8 Clemson

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina's defense beats Clemson.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Michigan State vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: Michigan State

Hover to inspect
Michigan State's experience beats Oklahoma.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Washington vs #3 TCU

Picked: Washington

Hover to inspect
Washington's depth defeats TCU.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Georgia vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa's shooting overwhelms Georgia.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #8 Oklahoma State

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA's talent beats Oklahoma State.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Ole Miss vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: Ole Miss

Hover to inspect
Ole Miss' athleticism defeats Minnesota.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Baylor vs #3 Duke

Picked: Baylor

Hover to inspect
Baylor's depth overwhelms Duke.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Texas Tech vs #2 LSU

Picked: Texas Tech

Hover to inspect
Texas Tech's defense stifles LSU.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #8 Oregon

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas' size defeats Oregon.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Kentucky vs #4 West Virginia

Picked: Kentucky

Hover to inspect
Kentucky's athleticism beats West Virginia.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Alabama vs #3 Louisville

Picked: Alabama

Hover to inspect
Alabama's rebounding defeats Louisville.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 NC State vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan's balanced attack beats NC State.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UConn vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's talent overwhelms North Carolina.
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Notre Dame vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame's shooting edge defeats Vanderbilt.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 South Carolina vs #5 Michigan State

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina's defense controls Michigan State.
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Washington vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Washington

Hover to inspect
Washington's offense outpaces Iowa.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA's talent overpowers Ole Miss.
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Baylor vs #7 Texas Tech

Picked: Baylor

Hover to inspect
Baylor's offense beats Texas Tech.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 Texas vs #5 Kentucky

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas' size overpowers Kentucky.
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Alabama vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan's depth defeats Alabama.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UConn vs #6 Notre Dame

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's championship pedigree prevails.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 South Carolina vs #6 Washington

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina's defense and depth win region.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UCLA vs #6 Baylor

Picked: Baylor

Hover to inspect
Baylor's depth and defense win region.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 Texas vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan's consistency and depth win region.
Final FourFinal Four 1

#1 UConn vs #1 South Carolina

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's dominance overwhelms South Carolina.
Final FourFinal Four 2

#6 Baylor vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

Hover to inspect
Michigan's offense edges Baylor's defense.
ChampionshipChampionship

#1 UConn vs #2 Michigan

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn's championship pedigree and depth win it all.