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

qwen3.5-397b-a17b

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 16-seed UTSA.
8Iowa State
9Syracuse
Iowa State
—
Iowa State handles Syracuse.
5Maryland
12Murray State
Maryland
—
Maryland too strong for Murray State.
4North Carolina
13Western Illinois
North Carolina
—
UNC rolls past Western Illinois.
6Notre Dame
11Fairfield
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame beats Fairfield.
3Ohio State
14Howard
Ohio State
—
Ohio State handles Howard.
7Illinois
10Colorado
Illinois
—
Illinois edges Colorado in tight 7v10.
2Vanderbilt
15High Point
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt beats High Point.
1UConn
8Iowa State
UConn
—
UConn beats Iowa State.
5Maryland
4North Carolina
Maryland
—
Maryland edges North Carolina.
6Notre Dame
3Ohio State
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame beats Ohio State.
7Illinois
2Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt edges Illinois.
1UConn
5Maryland
UConn
—
UConn beats Maryland.
6Notre Dame
2Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame edges Vanderbilt.
1UConn
6Notre Dame
UConn
—
UConn beats Notre Dame.
FORT WORTH 3
1UCLA
16California Baptist
UCLA
—
UCLA handles California Baptist.
8Oklahoma State
9Princeton
Oklahoma State
—
Oklahoma State edges Princeton.
5Ole Miss
12Gonzaga
Ole Miss
—
Ole Miss beats Gonzaga.
4Minnesota
13Green Bay
Minnesota
—
Minnesota handles Green Bay.
6Baylor
11Nebraska
Baylor
—
Baylor beats play-in winner.
3Duke
14Col. of Charleston
Duke
—
Duke beats Col. of Charleston.
7Texas Tech
10Villanova
Texas Tech
—
Texas Tech edges Villanova.
2LSU
15Jacksonville
LSU
—
LSU handles Jacksonville.
1UCLA
8Oklahoma State
UCLA
—
UCLA beats Oklahoma State.
5Ole Miss
4Minnesota
Minnesota
—
Minnesota edges Ole Miss.
6Baylor
3Duke
Baylor
—
Baylor beats Duke.
7Texas Tech
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU edges Texas Tech.
1UCLA
4Minnesota
UCLA
—
UCLA beats Minnesota.
6Baylor
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU edges Baylor.
1UCLA
2LSU
UCLA
—
UCLA edges LSU.
SACRAMENTO 2
1South Carolina
16Southern U.
South Carolina
—
South Carolina dominates play-in winner.
8Clemson
9Southern California
Clemson
—
Clemson upsets Southern California.
5Michigan State
12Colorado State
Michigan State
—
Michigan State beats Colorado State.
4Oklahoma
13Idaho
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma handles Idaho.
6Washington
11South Dakota State
Washington
—
Washington beats South Dakota State.
3TCU
14UC San Diego
TCU
—
TCU handles UC San Diego.
7Georgia
10Virginia
Georgia
—
Georgia edges Virginia.
2Iowa
15FDU
Iowa
—
Iowa beats FDU easily.
1South Carolina
8Clemson
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats Clemson.
5Michigan State
4Oklahoma
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma beats Michigan State.
6Washington
3TCU
Washington
—
Washington edges TCU.
7Georgia
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa beats Georgia.
1South Carolina
4Oklahoma
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats Oklahoma.
6Washington
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa edges Washington.
1South Carolina
2Iowa
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats Iowa.
SACRAMENTO 4
1Texas
16Missouri State
Texas
—
Texas beats play-in winner.
8Oregon
9Virginia Tech
Oregon
—
Oregon edges Virginia Tech.
5Kentucky
12James Madison
Kentucky
—
Kentucky beats James Madison.
4West Virginia
13Miami (Ohio)
West Virginia
—
West Virginia handles Miami (Ohio).
6Alabama
11Rhode Island
Alabama
—
Alabama beats Rhode Island.
3Louisville
14Vermont
Louisville
—
Louisville handles Vermont.
7NC State
10Tennessee
NC State
—
NC State edges Tennessee.
2Michigan
15Holy Cross
Michigan
—
Michigan beats Holy Cross.
1Texas
8Oregon
Texas
—
Texas beats Oregon.
5Kentucky
4West Virginia
Kentucky
—
Kentucky beats West Virginia.
6Alabama
3Louisville
Louisville
—
Louisville edges Alabama.
7NC State
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan edges NC State.
1Texas
5Kentucky
Texas
—
Texas beats Kentucky.
3Louisville
2Michigan
Louisville
—
Louisville edges Michigan.
1Texas
3Louisville
Texas
—
Texas beats Louisville.
1UConn
1South Carolina
South Carolina
—
South Carolina edges UConn in thriller.
1South Carolina
1Texas
South Carolina
—
South Carolina wins championship.
1UCLA
1Texas
Texas
—
Texas beats UCLA.
South Carolina
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

Bracket built on seed-based logic with calculated upsets, favoring established programs and recent tournament performance.

Philosophy

Protect top seeds early, identify vulnerable matchups, and select champions with elite offense/defense balance.

Upset strategy

Target 5v12 and 4v13 upsets where mid-majors have momentum; avoid early chaos.

Championship logic

UConn's depth and experience overcome South Carolina in final.

Key factors

  • Seed differential
  • Recent tournament performance
  • Offensive efficiency
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 edge in close First Four matchup.
First FourSacramento 2 16

#16 Southern U. vs #16 Samford

Picked: Southern U.

Hover to inspect
Southern U. slight edge in 16-seed play-in.
First FourFort Worth 3 11

#11 Nebraska vs #11 Richmond

Picked: Nebraska

Hover to inspect
Nebraska favored over Richmond in play-in.
First FourSacramento 4 16

#16 Missouri State vs #16 SFA

Picked: Missouri State

Hover to inspect
Missouri State edges SFA in play-in.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #16 UTSA

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn dominates 16-seed UTSA.
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Iowa State vs #9 Syracuse

Picked: Iowa State

Hover to inspect
Iowa State handles Syracuse.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Maryland vs #12 Murray State

Picked: Maryland

Hover to inspect
Maryland too strong for Murray State.
1st RoundGame 4

#4 North Carolina vs #13 Western Illinois

Picked: North Carolina

Hover to inspect
UNC rolls past Western Illinois.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Notre Dame vs #11 Fairfield

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame beats Fairfield.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Ohio State vs #14 Howard

Picked: Ohio State

Hover to inspect
Ohio State handles Howard.
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Illinois vs #10 Colorado

Picked: Illinois

Hover to inspect
Illinois edges Colorado in tight 7v10.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Vanderbilt vs #15 High Point

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt beats High Point.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #16 Southern U.

Picked: South Carolina

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

#8 Clemson vs #9 Southern California

Picked: Clemson

Hover to inspect
Clemson upsets Southern California.
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Michigan State vs #12 Colorado State

Picked: Michigan State

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

#4 Oklahoma vs #13 Idaho

Picked: Oklahoma

Hover to inspect
Oklahoma handles Idaho.
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Washington vs #11 South Dakota State

Picked: Washington

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

#3 TCU vs #14 UC San Diego

Picked: TCU

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

#7 Georgia vs #10 Virginia

Picked: Georgia

Hover to inspect
Georgia edges Virginia.
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Iowa vs #15 FDU

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa beats FDU easily.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #16 California Baptist

Picked: UCLA

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

#8 Oklahoma State vs #9 Princeton

Picked: Oklahoma State

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

#5 Ole Miss vs #12 Gonzaga

Picked: Ole Miss

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

#4 Minnesota vs #13 Green Bay

Picked: Minnesota

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

#6 Baylor vs #11 Nebraska

Picked: Baylor

Hover to inspect
Baylor beats play-in winner.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Duke vs #14 Col. of Charleston

Picked: Duke

Hover to inspect
Duke beats Col. of 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 handles Jacksonville.
1st RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #16 Missouri State

Picked: Texas

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

#8 Oregon vs #9 Virginia Tech

Picked: Oregon

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

#5 Kentucky vs #12 James Madison

Picked: Kentucky

Hover to inspect
Kentucky beats 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 beats Rhode Island.
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Louisville vs #14 Vermont

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville handles 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 beats Holy Cross.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #8 Iowa State

Picked: UConn

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

#5 Maryland vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: Maryland

Hover to inspect
Maryland edges North Carolina.
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Notre Dame vs #3 Ohio State

Picked: Notre Dame

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

#7 Illinois vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Vanderbilt

Hover to inspect
Vanderbilt edges Illinois.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #8 Clemson

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina beats Clemson.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Michigan State vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: Oklahoma

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

#6 Washington vs #3 TCU

Picked: Washington

Hover to inspect
Washington edges TCU.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Georgia vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa beats Georgia.
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #8 Oklahoma State

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA beats Oklahoma State.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Ole Miss vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: Minnesota

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

#6 Baylor vs #3 Duke

Picked: Baylor

Hover to inspect
Baylor beats Duke.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Texas Tech vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

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

#1 Texas vs #8 Oregon

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas beats Oregon.
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Kentucky vs #4 West Virginia

Picked: Kentucky

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

#6 Alabama vs #3 Louisville

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville edges Alabama.
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 NC State vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

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

#1 UConn vs #5 Maryland

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn beats Maryland.
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Notre Dame vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Notre Dame

Hover to inspect
Notre Dame edges Vanderbilt.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 South Carolina vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: South Carolina

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

#6 Washington vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

Hover to inspect
Iowa edges Washington.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UCLA vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA beats Minnesota.
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Baylor vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

Hover to inspect
LSU edges Baylor.
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 Texas vs #5 Kentucky

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas beats Kentucky.
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Louisville vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Louisville

Hover to inspect
Louisville edges Michigan.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UConn vs #6 Notre Dame

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn beats Notre Dame.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 South Carolina vs #2 Iowa

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina beats Iowa.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UCLA vs #2 LSU

Picked: UCLA

Hover to inspect
UCLA edges LSU.
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 Texas vs #3 Louisville

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas beats Louisville.
Final FourFinal Four 1

#1 UConn vs #1 South Carolina

Picked: South Carolina

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

#1 UCLA vs #1 Texas

Picked: Texas

Hover to inspect
Texas beats UCLA.
ChampionshipChampionship

#1 South Carolina vs #1 Texas

Picked: South Carolina

Hover to inspect
South Carolina wins championship.