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

minimax-m2.5-free

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 overwhelms UTSA with superior talent and depth
8Iowa State
9Syracuse
Iowa State
—
Iowa State beats Syracuse in solid 8-9 matchup
5Maryland
12Murray State
Maryland
—
Maryland handles Murray State comfortably
4North Carolina
13Western Illinois
North Carolina
—
UNC powers past Western Illinois
6Notre Dame
11Fairfield
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame too strong for Fairfield mid-major
3Ohio State
14Howard
Ohio State
—
Ohio State dominates Howard in round one
7Illinois
10Colorado
Illinois
—
Illinois beats Colorado in competitive 7-10 game
2Vanderbilt
15High Point
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt edges High Point in 8-9 battle
1UConn
8Iowa State
UConn
—
UConn beats Iowa State in regional semifinal
5Maryland
4North Carolina
North Carolina
—
UNC upsets Maryland in round two thriller
6Notre Dame
3Ohio State
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame edges Ohio State in Round 2
7Illinois
2Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
—
Vanderbilt upsets Illinois in Sweet 16
1UConn
4North Carolina
UConn
—
UConn defeats UNC in Fort Worth semifinal
6Notre Dame
2Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
—
Notre Dame beats Vanderbilt for final spot
1UConn
6Notre Dame
UConn
—
UConn wins Fort Worth Regional Final
FORT WORTH 3
1UCLA
16California Baptist
UCLA
—
UCLA destroys California Baptist
8Oklahoma State
9Princeton
Oklahoma State
—
Oklahoma State beats Princeton in 8-9 game
5Ole Miss
12Gonzaga
Ole Miss
—
Ole Miss edges Gonzaga in 7-10 matchup
4Minnesota
13Green Bay
Minnesota
—
Minnesota handles Green Bay in 4-13 game
6Baylor
11Nebraska
Baylor
—
Baylor dominates Nebraska/Richmond winner
3Duke
14Col. of Charleston
Duke
—
Duke handles College of Charleston
7Texas Tech
10Villanova
Texas Tech
—
Texas Tech edges Villanova in 7-10 game
2LSU
15Jacksonville
LSU
—
LSU too strong for Jacksonville mid-major
1UCLA
8Oklahoma State
UCLA
—
UCLA dominates Oklahoma State in Round 2
5Ole Miss
4Minnesota
Ole Miss
—
Ole Miss upsets Minnesota in Sweet 16
6Baylor
3Duke
Baylor
—
Baylor beats Duke in Round 2 battle
7Texas Tech
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU edges Texas Tech in Sweet 16 game
1UCLA
5Ole Miss
UCLA
—
UCLA beats Ole Miss for Fort Worth final
6Baylor
2LSU
LSU
—
LSU upsets Baylor to reach regional final
1UCLA
2LSU
UCLA
—
UCLA wins Fort Worth Regional Final
SACRAMENTO 2
1South Carolina
16Southern U.
South Carolina
—
South Carolina coasts past Southern U/Fort Worth winner
8Clemson
9Southern California
Southern California
—
USC upsets Clemson in 8-9 matchup
5Michigan State
12Colorado State
Michigan State
—
Michigan State handles Colorado State
4Oklahoma
13Idaho
Oklahoma
—
Oklahoma dominates Idaho easily
6Washington
11South Dakota State
Washington
—
Washington edges South Dakota State
3TCU
14UC San Diego
TCU
—
TCU too strong for UC San Diego
7Georgia
10Virginia
Georgia
—
Georgia beats Virginia in 7-10 clash
2Iowa
15FDU
Iowa
—
Iowa dominates FDU in opening round
1South Carolina
9Southern California
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats USC in Sweet 16
5Michigan State
4Oklahoma
Michigan State
—
Michigan State upsets Oklahoma in Round 2
6Washington
3TCU
TCU
—
TCU beats Washington in regional semifinal
7Georgia
2Iowa
Iowa
—
Iowa upsets Georgia in Sacramento Sweet 16
1South Carolina
5Michigan State
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats Michigan State in semis
3TCU
2Iowa
TCU
—
TCU beats Iowa for Sacramento final spot
1South Carolina
3TCU
South Carolina
—
South Carolina wins Sacramento Regional
SACRAMENTO 4
1Texas
16Missouri State
Texas
—
Texas crushes Missouri State/SFA winner
8Oregon
9Virginia Tech
Oregon
—
Oregon edges Virginia Tech in 8-9 game
5Kentucky
12James Madison
Kentucky
—
Kentucky handles James Madison in 5-12
4West Virginia
13Miami (Ohio)
West Virginia
—
West Virginia dominates Miami Ohio
6Alabama
11Rhode Island
Alabama
—
Alabama beats Rhode Island convincingly
3Louisville
14Vermont
Louisville
—
Louisville too strong for Vermont in 6-11
7NC State
10Tennessee
NC State
—
NC State upsets Tennessee in 7-10 matchup
2Michigan
15Holy Cross
Michigan
—
Michigan destroys Holy Cross easily
1Texas
8Oregon
Texas
—
Texas beats Oregon in Sweet 16 game
5Kentucky
4West Virginia
Kentucky
—
Kentucky edges West Virginia in Round 2
6Alabama
3Louisville
Louisville
—
Louisville beats Alabama in Sweet 16
7NC State
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan handles NC State in Round 2
1Texas
5Kentucky
Texas
—
Texas beats Kentucky for Sacramento final
3Louisville
2Michigan
Michigan
—
Michigan upsets Louisville for final spot
1Texas
2Michigan
Texas
—
Texas wins Sacramento Regional Final
1UConn
1South Carolina
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats UConn in epic semifinal
1South Carolina
1UCLA
South Carolina
—
South Carolina beats UCLA for title
1UCLA
1Texas
UCLA
—
UCLA edges Texas for championship spot
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

Picks based on historical powerhouse programs, seed matchups, and tournament experience. Higher seeds favored in most matchups with some upset potential in 8-9 games.

Philosophy

Favor established programs with recent tournament success while respecting seed differentials. Account for matchup dynamics and momentum from earlier rounds.

Upset strategy

Target 8-9 seeds where matchup disadvantages exist, and potential 12-over-5 upsets inFirst Four winners.

Championship logic

Balance bracket so strongest programs reach Final Four, creating plausible championship matchup with South Carolina vs UCLA as proxy for powerhouse collision.

Key factors

  • Top-tier programs (UConn, South Carolina, Texas, UCLA)
  • Seed differential in upsets
  • Tournament experience and depth
  • Region strength balancing
  • Final Four matchup logic
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 wins tight First Four matchup vs Arizona State
First FourSacramento 2 16

#16 Southern U. vs #16 Samford

Picked: Southern U.

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Southern U edges Samford in defensive First Four game
First FourFort Worth 3 11

#11 Nebraska vs #11 Richmond

Picked: Nebraska

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Nebraska advances over Richmond in First Four
First FourSacramento 4 16

#16 Missouri State vs #16 SFA

Picked: Missouri State

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Missouri State wins First Four vs SFA
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #16 UTSA

Picked: UConn

Hover to inspect
UConn overwhelms UTSA with superior talent and depth
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Iowa State vs #9 Syracuse

Picked: Iowa State

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Iowa State beats Syracuse in solid 8-9 matchup
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Maryland vs #12 Murray State

Picked: Maryland

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Maryland handles Murray State comfortably
1st RoundGame 4

#4 North Carolina vs #13 Western Illinois

Picked: North Carolina

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UNC powers past Western Illinois
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Notre Dame vs #11 Fairfield

Picked: Notre Dame

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Notre Dame too strong for Fairfield mid-major
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Ohio State vs #14 Howard

Picked: Ohio State

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Ohio State dominates Howard in round one
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Illinois vs #10 Colorado

Picked: Illinois

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Illinois beats Colorado in competitive 7-10 game
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Vanderbilt vs #15 High Point

Picked: Vanderbilt

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Vanderbilt edges High Point in 8-9 battle
1st RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #16 Southern U.

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina coasts past Southern U/Fort Worth winner
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Clemson vs #9 Southern California

Picked: Southern California

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USC upsets Clemson in 8-9 matchup
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Michigan State vs #12 Colorado State

Picked: Michigan State

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Michigan State handles Colorado State
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Oklahoma vs #13 Idaho

Picked: Oklahoma

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Oklahoma dominates Idaho easily
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Washington vs #11 South Dakota State

Picked: Washington

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Washington edges South Dakota State
1st RoundGame 6

#3 TCU vs #14 UC San Diego

Picked: TCU

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TCU too strong for UC San Diego
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Georgia vs #10 Virginia

Picked: Georgia

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Georgia beats Virginia in 7-10 clash
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Iowa vs #15 FDU

Picked: Iowa

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Iowa dominates FDU in opening round
1st RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #16 California Baptist

Picked: UCLA

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UCLA destroys California Baptist
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oklahoma State vs #9 Princeton

Picked: Oklahoma State

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Oklahoma State beats Princeton in 8-9 game
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Ole Miss vs #12 Gonzaga

Picked: Ole Miss

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Ole Miss edges Gonzaga in 7-10 matchup
1st RoundGame 4

#4 Minnesota vs #13 Green Bay

Picked: Minnesota

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Minnesota handles Green Bay in 4-13 game
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Baylor vs #11 Nebraska

Picked: Baylor

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Baylor dominates Nebraska/Richmond winner
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Duke vs #14 Col. of Charleston

Picked: Duke

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Duke handles College of Charleston
1st RoundGame 7

#7 Texas Tech vs #10 Villanova

Picked: Texas Tech

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Texas Tech edges Villanova in 7-10 game
1st RoundGame 8

#2 LSU vs #15 Jacksonville

Picked: LSU

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LSU too strong for Jacksonville mid-major
1st RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #16 Missouri State

Picked: Texas

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Texas crushes Missouri State/SFA winner
1st RoundGame 2

#8 Oregon vs #9 Virginia Tech

Picked: Oregon

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Oregon edges Virginia Tech in 8-9 game
1st RoundGame 3

#5 Kentucky vs #12 James Madison

Picked: Kentucky

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Kentucky handles James Madison in 5-12
1st RoundGame 4

#4 West Virginia vs #13 Miami (Ohio)

Picked: West Virginia

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West Virginia dominates Miami Ohio
1st RoundGame 5

#6 Alabama vs #11 Rhode Island

Picked: Alabama

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Alabama beats Rhode Island convincingly
1st RoundGame 6

#3 Louisville vs #14 Vermont

Picked: Louisville

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Louisville too strong for Vermont in 6-11
1st RoundGame 7

#7 NC State vs #10 Tennessee

Picked: NC State

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NC State upsets Tennessee in 7-10 matchup
1st RoundGame 8

#2 Michigan vs #15 Holy Cross

Picked: Michigan

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Michigan destroys Holy Cross easily
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UConn vs #8 Iowa State

Picked: UConn

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UConn beats Iowa State in regional semifinal
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Maryland vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: North Carolina

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UNC upsets Maryland in round two thriller
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Notre Dame vs #3 Ohio State

Picked: Notre Dame

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Notre Dame edges Ohio State in Round 2
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Illinois vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Vanderbilt

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Vanderbilt upsets Illinois in Sweet 16
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 South Carolina vs #9 Southern California

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina beats USC in Sweet 16
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Michigan State vs #4 Oklahoma

Picked: Michigan State

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Michigan State upsets Oklahoma in Round 2
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Washington vs #3 TCU

Picked: TCU

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TCU beats Washington in regional semifinal
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Georgia vs #2 Iowa

Picked: Iowa

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Iowa upsets Georgia in Sacramento Sweet 16
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 UCLA vs #8 Oklahoma State

Picked: UCLA

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UCLA dominates Oklahoma State in Round 2
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Ole Miss vs #4 Minnesota

Picked: Ole Miss

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Ole Miss upsets Minnesota in Sweet 16
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Baylor vs #3 Duke

Picked: Baylor

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Baylor beats Duke in Round 2 battle
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 Texas Tech vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

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LSU edges Texas Tech in Sweet 16 game
2nd RoundGame 1

#1 Texas vs #8 Oregon

Picked: Texas

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Texas beats Oregon in Sweet 16 game
2nd RoundGame 2

#5 Kentucky vs #4 West Virginia

Picked: Kentucky

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Kentucky edges West Virginia in Round 2
2nd RoundGame 3

#6 Alabama vs #3 Louisville

Picked: Louisville

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Louisville beats Alabama in Sweet 16
2nd RoundGame 4

#7 NC State vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

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Michigan handles NC State in Round 2
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UConn vs #4 North Carolina

Picked: UConn

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UConn defeats UNC in Fort Worth semifinal
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Notre Dame vs #2 Vanderbilt

Picked: Notre Dame

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Notre Dame beats Vanderbilt for final spot
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 South Carolina vs #5 Michigan State

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina beats Michigan State in semis
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 TCU vs #2 Iowa

Picked: TCU

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TCU beats Iowa for Sacramento final spot
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 UCLA vs #5 Ole Miss

Picked: UCLA

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UCLA beats Ole Miss for Fort Worth final
Sweet 16Game 2

#6 Baylor vs #2 LSU

Picked: LSU

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LSU upsets Baylor to reach regional final
Sweet 16Game 1

#1 Texas vs #5 Kentucky

Picked: Texas

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Texas beats Kentucky for Sacramento final
Sweet 16Game 2

#3 Louisville vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Michigan

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Michigan upsets Louisville for final spot
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UConn vs #6 Notre Dame

Picked: UConn

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UConn wins Fort Worth Regional Final
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 South Carolina vs #3 TCU

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina wins Sacramento Regional
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 UCLA vs #2 LSU

Picked: UCLA

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UCLA wins Fort Worth Regional Final
Elite 8Regional Final

#1 Texas vs #2 Michigan

Picked: Texas

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Texas wins Sacramento Regional Final
Final FourFinal Four 1

#1 UConn vs #1 South Carolina

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina beats UConn in epic semifinal
Final FourFinal Four 2

#1 UCLA vs #1 Texas

Picked: UCLA

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UCLA edges Texas for championship spot
ChampionshipChampionship

#1 South Carolina vs #1 UCLA

Picked: South Carolina

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South Carolina beats UCLA for title