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Perfect NCAA Tournament Bracket Picks: Large Pools (2024 March Madness)

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Call me fortunate because we finally have a bracket! It’s that time of the year again and at last, we can fill out brackets and let our hopes soar, only to see them dashed almost immediately.

BettingPros will provide ample coverage throughout the week, including creating the perfect bracket for pools of all sizes — small, medium, and large. Whether you’re competing in a public contest with millions at stake, among family and friends, or within your office, I’ve got you covered on filling out your bracket, regardless of the tournament’s scale.

This article focuses on tips tailored for large tournament pools — those run by companies with grand prizes, attracting thousands of entrants. In such pools, accuracy is paramount, and predicting some unexpected outcomes correctly can be key. There are no wrong answers here, but strategic thinking is essential. And make sure to check out our 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Optimizer to take down your pools!

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Here are some tips:

Select a Reasonable Champion That Won’t Be a Popular Choice: While teams like UConn, Houston, and Purdue may be popular champion selections, the NCAA Tournament is known for its unpredictability. Trends and history can only take you so far in the face of March Madness. However, if you’re inclined to take a risk while still adhering to reasonable trends, consider Auburn or Creighton as viable options.

  • Auburn has been in stellar form lately, and coach Bruce Pearl has demonstrated his ability to lead teams to the Final Four. Ranked 10th in adjusted offensive efficiency and fourth defensively, Auburn is a formidable contender despite being a four-seed. The path for the Tigers may be challenging, but surprises are not unheard of in the tournament.
  • Creighton also boasts impressive metrics, ranking 12th and 24th in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, respectively. Despite their potential, they may not be as popular a pick as other favorites, making them an intriguing choice for a large pool bracket.

Take Risks Deep into Your Tournament: In recent tournaments, there has been a consistent trend of teams seeded No. 4 or worse reaching the Final Four, with at least one such team in each of the last 13 tournaments. Similarly, teams seeded seventh or worse have made it to the Final Four in nine of the past 10 tournaments.

  • Options abound for selecting underdog teams with potential for deep runs. Teams like Florida, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nebraska all present compelling cases for advancing far in the tournament. Choose one of your favorites and embrace the risk, as these teams have the potential to defy expectations and make a significant impact.

Mentally Disassociate from the Bracket: Adopting a high-risk game theory approach can be a bold strategy, albeit one with uncertain outcomes. By mentally detaching from conventional bracket considerations, you may find yourself making unconventional picks that could pay off big if they pan out. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this approach is speculative and may not yield positive results every time. Take a moment to breathe after submitting your bracket and acknowledge that the odds of it remaining intact throughout the tournament are slim. While this strategy may not always lead to victory, the times it does can result in significant rewards.

If you’re inexperienced, I have a bracket template that you can simply copy and paste into your pool. While it leans towards safer picks, it provides a solid foundation for competing in your bracket pool.

Check out all of our 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket & Betting Coverage >>

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