During the NCAA tournament, one spectacular achievement stands out: the longest streak of correct picks in a March Madness bracket is 49 games. This remarkable record was set in 2019.
That year, a neuropsychologist from Ohio, Gregg Nigl, correctly predicted every game into the Sweet 16. Before 2019, the best streak was only 39 games, which dated back to 2017.
Here’s a look at how perfect brackets fared in recent years:
2026
In 2026, brackets lasted until the second round. The perfect run ended when No. 6 Tennessee defeated No. 3 Virginia.
2025
2025 saw brackets last until game 43. No. 3 Kentucky’s victory over No. 6 Illinois was a game-changer, marking the best performance since 2019.
2024
No. 8 Utah State’s win against No. 9 TCU busted brackets in their tracks during the first round.
2023
In 2023, the perfect bracket came crashing down when No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson stunned No. 1 Purdue, making NCAA history.
2022
Another upset occurred in 2022 after No. 11 Iowa State beat No. 6 LSU, taking down the final perfect bracket on the first Friday of the tournament.
The trend of unpredictable outcomes continues. Notably, in 2021, all perfect brackets fell on game 28, emphasizing the impact of shocking upsets. This could be attributed to the unpredictability of college basketball, where anything can happen.
In 2019, Nigl’s journey through the tournament captivated fans. His “center road” bracket reached 49 right picks before it faltered. This rise in perfect predictions can be linked to the relative predictability of 2019’s tournament, with many top seeds winning early games.
It’s fascinating to note that in 2018, no bracket lasted through the first round due to a historic upset by UMBC over Virginia, highlighting just how unpredictable March Madness can be.
Odds for a perfect bracket are staggering. According to DePaul professor Jeff Bergen, the odds could range from 1 in 9.2 quintillion to as low as 1 in 28 billion when factoring in basketball knowledge. Reaching such perfection is seemingly impossible, yet every year, millions try their luck with brackets, making March Madness a truly unique event.
The quest for a flawless NCAA tournament bracket remains a thrilling challenge for fans. With so many surprises and upsets, each year’s tournament captures the excitement of unpredictability.
For more information about the NCAA tournament, visit the official [NCAA website](https://www.ncaa.com/). It provides updates on games, statistics, and more!
Source link
bracket
