Few Perfect Brackets Remain

As the excitement of March Madness unfolds, the elusive perfect bracket remains a coveted achievement. However, as of Friday night, only 7 brackets out of millions remain flawless, marking an exclusive club of predictors.

Improved Odds from Previous Years

Comparatively, this year’s tally of perfect brackets shows improvement. In 2023, after Thursday’s games, a mere 787 brackets remained unblemished, indicating a more favorable outlook this time around.

Upsets Galore

The thrill of upsets characterized Thursday’s action, with No. 14 Oakland’s surprise victory over No. 3 Kentucky stealing the spotlight. Yet, the majority of brackets faced ruin early on, with only 57.4% surviving after the first game saw No. 9 Michigan State triumph over No. 8 Mississippi State.

Cinderella Stories Unfold

The underdog narrative unfolded as No. 11 seed Duquesne stunned No. 6 BYU with a 71-67 upset, contributing to the dwindling number of perfect brackets. Surprisingly, Duquesne was the least-selected No. 11 seed in the Men’s Bracket Challenge Game this year.

Record Participation

A staggering 22.6 million brackets were filled out on ESPN’s platform, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. Favorites in the ESPN Tournament Challenge include UConn, Houston, and Purdue.

What are the Odds?

Improbable Odds of Perfection

According to NCAA.com, the odds of crafting a perfect NCAA bracket by mere chance are 1 in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808. However, with informed predictions, these odds shrink to approximately 1 in 120.2 billion.

Near Misses

The pursuit of perfection is not without its near misses. In 2019, an Ohio man came remarkably close, correctly predicting the outcomes leading into the Sweet 16. However, his streak was halted at 49 correct picks when Purdue bested Tennessee in overtime.

Historical Context

Reflecting on previous years, perfection remains an elusive feat. In both 2022 and 2021, perfect brackets vanished after just 28 games.

A Test of Skill and Chance

March Madness continues to captivate audiences with its blend of skill, strategy, and unpredictability. As brackets dwindle and upsets abound, the pursuit of perfection underscores the exhilarating essence of collegiate basketball’s premier tournament.

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