Does anybody have a perfect bracket?
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, affectionately known as March Madness, is a time when millions of Americans fill out brackets in the hopes of predicting the winner of each game. It’s a tradition that has been around for decades, and it’s a source of both excitement and frustration. The question on everyone’s mind during the tournament is: does anybody have a perfect bracket?
The answer, unfortunately, is no. Not even close. The sheer number of games and the unpredictable nature of college basketball make it nearly impossible for anyone to fill out a perfect bracket. The tournament consists of 68 teams, and each team has the potential to win their game. With so many variables at play, the chances of filling out a perfect bracket are incredibly slim.
However, that doesn’t stop people from trying. Each year, millions of brackets are filled out, and a select few come close to perfection. In 2019, for example, a man named Jerry Wang from New York City came within one game of filling out a perfect bracket. He correctly predicted 60 of the 61 games, a remarkable feat that earned him a $1 million prize.
Despite the odds, people continue to fill out brackets for various reasons. For some, it’s a way to connect with friends and family, sharing predictions and trash-talking throughout the tournament. For others, it’s a chance to win big money. The NCAA offers a $1 million prize for the person who fills out the perfect bracket, and the excitement of the potential win is enough to draw in participants.
The quest for the perfect bracket also highlights the unpredictable nature of sports. College basketball is known for its upsets, and the tournament is no exception. In fact, the tournament has seen some of the most memorable upsets in sports history. In 1980, Villanova University, a 15-seed, shocked the world by defeating the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas in the championship game. In 2018, the University of Virginia, a 5-seed, upset the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the Elite Eight.
While the perfect bracket remains elusive, the quest for it brings joy and excitement to millions of fans. It’s a reminder of the passion and unpredictability of sports, and it’s a tradition that will likely continue for years to come. So, does anybody have a perfect bracket? Not yet, but the search for one never stops.
