This year’s NCAA March Madness tournament is sure to bring in many college basketball fans, as it does every year.  But will there be any upsets as bracket-busting as last year? The Dance in 2018 was one to remember, where 16-seed UMBC dropped a 20-point bomb on 1-seed Virginia, beating them 74-54.  Also, 11-seed Loyola-Chicago shocked the nation with their Cinderella run, playing into the Final Four, and having everyone admire the team’s chaplain, Sister Jean.

The tournament bracket was released on the night of “Selection Sunday” and media such as USA Today and ESPN have already informed everyone about potential “Cinderella” teams, low ranking teams that have high chances of upsetting teams and going far into the tournament.  These teams are: (12) New Mexico State, (11) Belmont, (11) St. Mary’s, (12) Liberty, and (15) Colgate. Belmont is a team that stands out the most, because they are in the First Four, meaning that if they want a chance in the tournament, they have to first beat the also 11-seed Temple team.  Teams like these are the reasons that no bracket has ever been perfect. The chance of someone getting a perfect bracket is estimated to be 1 in 9.2 quintilian.

Possibly the most stand-out team this year is the Duke Blue Devils. While they usually have a high seed every year, this year’s team is heavy with freshman five-star recruits.  Their starting five consists of the top three players of the ESPN 100, and the number one point guard of the ESPN 100, Tre Jones.  The other freshmen are (1) RJ Barrett, (2) Zion Williamson, and (3) Cam Reddish. The one other starter is Javin DeLaurier, a junior that had the 44th rank in the 2016 ESPN 100.  Duke finished the regular season 29-5 as the ACC Champions.

College basketball fans are ready for this year’s tournament, and ready to see a perfect bracket.  No bracket has even made it to the Sweet Sixteen, or the third round.