The air is buzzing. March Madness is here! We want to get in on the fun, which is why we are inviting you to compete in our CBS Sports NCAA Bracket Challenge. Coaching starts with predicting winners for bragging rights (or cash!) when you win. Filling out a bracket is easy, but winning takes smarts. This guide is your best friend. Brush up on the two key strategies to help you improve your bracket.
How does the CBS Sports NCAA Bracket Challenge work?
Consider the CBS Sports NCAA Bracket Challenge your opportunity to be a fortune teller. You select the winners of every tournament matchup. You earn points for each correct pick. Whoever has the most points wins. You have to know what the rules are and how scoring works. Knowing when your deadline is to submit your bracket is key.
How The Bracket Works: Selection Sunday And Beyond
Two other team types — No. 1 teams and No. 2 teams — are also present on Selection Sunday when the 68 teams headed to the NCAA Tournament are announced. These teams enter a bracket. They are seeded 1 to 16 in four regions. That winnowing happens with the first four. This is when eight teams that are not top seeds compete to get into the main bracket. From there, the tournament progresses through rounds. What do I need to know about the N.C.A.A. tournament, including dates to watch (Selection Sunday, the First Four, each round leading up to the Final Four, etc.)?
CBS Sports Scoring System: Points Per Round
CBS Sports has a straightforward scoring system. The further you make it in the tournament, the more points you get for picking games correctly. For instance, Round 1 could be 1 point for each pick correctly made. Round 2 could be 2 points. This grows larger after every round. Some pools reward picks for upsets with bonus points. That’s by picking a lower-seeded team to win. These bonus points can add up quickly to help you out.
Getting Started — To register: Create group
Joining the CBS Sports NCAA Bracket Challenge is simple. 1) Head to the CBS Sports website or app. You will have to create an account, if you don’t already have one. After that, look for the Bracket Challenge section. Then you can fill out your bracket. You could even create a group to go up against your friends. Perhaps you can find an existing group to join. Just answer the prompts and fill your bracket in before the deadline.
Bracketology by Goalies: Strategies for Making Better Picks
Filling out a bracket is a lot more than guessing. “There’s an element of data and smarter thinking. With the right strategies, you can make better predictions. That could make you just better than other players.
How Seeds Matter: Possible Upsets and Historical Perspective
Don’t expect the higher seed to always win. Upsets happen! Look at the history of 12 seeds topping 5 seeds. It’s a common upset. Look into how often certain seed matchups are upsets. And this will in turn help you decide when to take a flyer on a lower seed.
KenPom and NET Rankings: More Than Just The Seed Number
Seed numbers don’t tell the whole story. Take, for example, KenPom and NET rankings. All of these metrics are performance-based on teams. They take into account things like strength of schedule. If a team ranks higher in KenPom than it is seeded, it may be better than its seed indicates. Check out these rankings to find some possible upset picks.
Overall Performance: Which Conference Is Best?
Several conferences have enjoyed success in the NCAA Tournament. The Big Ten, the SEC and the Big 12 frequently advance strong teams. Look at a conference’s overall record in the tournament. Consider why some leagues do so well in March.
Typical Bracket Errors (And How to Prevent Them)
Very few of us fill out perfect brackets. These pitfalls are here to help you know. It will get you to make better decisions.
The Temptation of Chalk: The Overvaluation of Top Seeds
There is something to be said for taking all the No. But upsets happen every year. No bracket is perfect. Don’t be afraid to advance a few lower seeds far.
Discounting Matchup Dynamics: Style Makes Fights
Look at teams’ styles of play and how they could match up. By the same token, a superior defensive team can shut down a high-scoring offense. The team that has the strategic advantage.
A Comment on Bias: Weakness in Your Alma Mater
It is difficult to maintain objectivity when it comes to your favourite club. However, bias can be a dangerous thing in a bracket. Analyze your team fairly. Do they actually have a chance to win?
Expert Tips for a Winning Bracket
Want to elevate your bracket-playing game? Try these next-level strategies for big pools. It can give you an edge.
Fading the Popular Picks: Understanding Public Opinion
People mostly choose the same popular teams. So “fading the public” is betting against those teams. If you think a team is overhyped, bet against them. That can make your bracket unique.
Monte Carlo Methods: Simulate the Tournament
Monte Carlo simulations run the tournament thousands of times. They model predictions of future outcomes using probabilities. This helps guide likely winners. It also finds teams that are undervalued.
Why: Just like investing, diversification can go a long way to help you achieve winning returns.
Why stick to one bracket? Consider entering more than one bracket with a different strategy. This gives you a better chance to win overall. Each one can tailor itself towards a different style of gameplay.
Extras: To make the most of your CBS Sports experience
—— CBS Sports has a number of features to help with your bracket challenge. Use these resources to your advantage. It can provide you with better pick information.
More Expert Analysis and Bracket Insights
Analyst and predictions by CBS Sports. Use these to help you in your bracket. But don’t depend on them completely. Do your own research too.
Stay Updated: Real-Time Updates and Notifications
Live scores and alerts right at your fingertips. The CBS Sports app has you covered. Alert me to upsets and key moments in games.
Conclusion
Fill out your bracket and have some fun with the CBS Sports NCAA Bracket Challenge. Now do you know what you can do to improve your odds of winning? This prescriptive approachHow toUse dataAvoid pitfallsGet advanced strategies Now fill out your bracket, monitor your progress and enjoy the madness. Good luck!
