Are you ready for March Madness? Here are our top tips for putting together a winning bracket. Don’t forget, we’re giving away 100,000,000 SPORTS tokens to anyone who gets a perfect bracket in ZenSports. Read all the contest rules here.

Tip #1: Look at the spread.

Hey, the oddsmakers know what they are doing. Sure, on paper it should be a lock that a 4 seed blows out a 13 or a 6 seed easily breezes by an 11. Those aren’t just the numbers you should be looking at. Take a look at the odds for the first round matchups and if the spread seems too low, then you know this may be the sirens signaling an upset alert.

Tip #2: Location. Location. Location.

Sure, theoretically every team plays on a neutral court whether they are in the East, South, Midwest or West region, but there are almost always some teams who get seeded in a region that’s only a quick drive from campus. Home court is always an advantage for any team and if the fan ratio is 3:1, the visiting squad will definitely hear more jeers than cheers.

Tip #3: Avoid taking a shot at a 16 over a 1.

Yes, we all know what happened when top-seeded Virginia lost to a relatively unknown 16 seeded UMBC team in 2018 busting a countless number of brackets in only the first round of play. However, that was the first time it ever happened in tournament history and while there is always the chance it can happen again, the odds are slim.

Tip #4: There will most likely be at least one upset of a 12 over a 5.

I know there’s a big gap, but since the tournament expanded in 1985, there has only been five years when at least one 12 seed didn’t knock off a 5. Historically, 35.7% of the games featuring a 12 vs. 5 matchup have resulted in the upset. Again, take a look at the spreads and see if any are closer than you would have guessed. Also, check and see how hot or cold each team has been prior to the tournament. You don’t want to pick a 5 seed that struggled down the stretch against a sizzling 12 that just won 10 straight!

Tip #5: Pick a 1 seed to win.

I know, it’s what everyone is doing. Everyone wants to pick the team nobody saw coming just to say they knew better. Still, a 1 seed is a 1 seed for a reason. They are the four best teams in the country and the hardest to defeat. Since 2000, there have been 14 No. 1 seeds who were crowned Champions in the end. In fact the last three tournaments were all won by 1 seeds (2019 – Virginia, 2018 – Villanova, 2017 – UNC). Don’t get cute. Stick with the chalk.

Tip #6 Pick a play-in team to advance to the Second Round.

In 2011, the committee expanded the tournament to include four additional teams bumping the total number to 68. Thus, instead of four teams playing for the final two 16 seeds, there are another four competing for an 11 seed. Since this was introduced, at least one of the “First Four” 11 seeds has always advanced to the second round.

Tip #7: Don’t pick the defending champion to repeat.

Even though the tournament was cancelled last year due to CoVid, Virginia is still the reigning champion. However, the last team to win back-to-back tournaments was Florida in 2006 and 2007. Prior to that, no team has defended their title since Duke in 1991 and 1992. Especially now with powerhouse schools losing half of their starters who declare early for the draft, it’s best to steer clear of predicting repeat.

Tip #8: No. 13 seeds appear to be the new No. 12s.

Since the tournament’s expansion to 64 teams, at least one 13 seed has knocked off a 4 seed in 25 of the past 35 tournaments. Sure, it is risky, but worth a shot especially if a 4 seed has struggled as of late.

Tip #9: Better to be a 9 than an 8?

In the 140 games featuring a No. 8 vs a No. 9, the 9 seeds have the upper edge over the 8s, going 72-68. Sure, it may seem slim, but in the past three tournaments, 9s own a 8-4 advantage over No. 8 seeds, including a sweep in the last one.

Tip #10: Pick a double-digit seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

Since the expansion in 1985, there have only been two years when a double digit seed failed to make the Sweet Sixteen. 33 out of 35 years is pretty impressive, so definitely take a look at some of your 10, 11 or 12 seeds to advance to the following weekend.

BONUS TIP: Don’t overthink. The tournament is unpredictable. Sure there will be “experts” tell you their lock to reach the Final Four or their guaranteed upset, but they are not always right. Trust your gut and just have some fun!