Zorro Picks' 2024 March Madness Bracket

03/17/2024

The model has spoken! Above is the official prediction for the entire bracket.

What stands out?

Well, we can't simply ignore the BOIS/COL in the Elite 8. In fact, the model predicts Colorado to beat Boise State, followed by Florida, Marquette, and Kentucky before finally being knocked out by the eventual champions, Houston. That would be nuts, but Colorado's form has been fantastic lately and finished runners-up in the Pac-12 conference tournament.

The next big thing I noticed is three #1 seeds in the Final Four. Last year, we saw an unusual absence of #1 seeds. Could this year be the revenge for that number? Only time will tell, but UConn, North Carolina, and Houston have all looked amazing coming into the tournament.

How about Nevada reaching the Elite 8? Is that as big a long shot as Colorado? They don't have to worry about a date in Dayton in the First Four, but they do have to worry about Dayton in the First Round followed by Arizona and Baylor before the Tar Heels take them out.

I really like the Creighton Final Four bid. The Bluejays have come out on top of some phenomenal games this year and I don't think it's far fetched for them to make it all the way to Glendale and win the Midwest.

Where do I personally disagree?

March Madness is always hard to predict, but I can't wait to see how the model holds up. However, I already have a couple of personal issues with it.

First off, I don't like the decision to go with all #8 seeds and #5 seeds. Specifically, I like Michigan State over Mississippi State and at least one of the #12 seeds to knock out a #5 (really any of them are possible). Secondly, I think Marquette is coming in underrated and I think they will win a few games and maybe even make the Final Four. They have been a pick of mine since the preseason tournaments way back at the start of the season. Another #2 I think will make it further is Arizona. I don't see them going out to Nevada in the Second Round, but crazier things have happened.

Who is sleeping?

Who could be the giant slayers?

So, let's say that, hypothetically, none of the #1 seeds make the Final Four? Who would be the team to knock them out?