• Loading ...
  • Loading ...

Australian Directory

Latest News Australian Directory

Are you looking for a holiday? Get special deals.

 

March Madness perfect bracket count drops to just over 200 out of 36 million after opening round

22 Mar 2026 By foxnews

March Madness perfect bracket count drops to just over 200 out of 36 million after opening round

The perfect March Madness bracket might still exist, but the chances have narrowed significantly after the first round of games wrapped up on Friday night. 

Of the more than 36 million brackets filled out across major sports platforms, only 224 flawless entries remained entering the second round on Saturday, according to the NCAA's website. 

Roughly 14,000 brackets remained after a trio of upsets on Thursday, and despite no Cinderella stories on Friday, that number was further reduced to 224. That number dropped further on Saturday afternoon after No. 1 seed Michigan punched its ticket to the Sweet 16, leaving just 207 entries intact.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

According to the NCAA, the biggest bracket buster of the day was No. 7 seed Kentucky's thrilling overtime victory over No. 10 seed Santa Clara. The Broncos looked primed to upset the Wildcats, but Otega Oweh's 3-pointer in front of his own bench with just 2.4 seconds in regulation gave Kentucky the path to score eight consecutive points in overtime to move on to the second round. 

Roughly 6,000 brackets were dismantled by the final whistle. Another 3,200 were busted when Utah State pulled away from Villanova, 86-76. 

NEARLY 36 MILLION MARCH MADNESS BRACKETS BUSTED ON DAY ONE AS UPSETS WREAK HAVOC

Saturday could see more heartbreak for fans (or optimism) with three upset winners scheduled to play top seeds. No. 11 Texas will take on No. 3 Gonzaga at 7:10 p.m. ET, No. 11 VCU will face off against No. 3 Illinois at 7:50 p.m. ET, and No. 12 High Point will battle No. 4 Arkansas at 9:45 p.m. ET. 

The NCAA predicts the biggest bracket buster will be Michigan State vs. Louisville. If Louisville wins, just 74 brackets will advance. 

A perfect bracket for all 63 games earns more than just bragging rights.

Kalshi, a leader in prediction markets - in which users buy and trade shares based on potential event outcomes - is offering $1 billion to anyone who predicts all 63 tournament games correctly, with a "consolation" prize of $1 million to the person who finishes with the top-scoring bracket.

According to its tracker, only two entries remain perfect on Kalshi's platform.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

More News

Booking.com
Drone food delivery launches in New Jersey
Drone food delivery launches in New Jersey
Roblox is changing online safety with AI
Roblox is changing online safety with AI
Baggage handler slammed after viral video shows guitars violently tossed on tarmac
Baggage handler slammed after viral video shows guitars violently tossed on tarmac
Travelers must pay fee, pass screening before visiting popular destination under new rule
Travelers must pay fee, pass screening before visiting popular destination under new rule
Hotel fees are draining Americans' wallets as expert reveals how to avoid paying hundreds extra
Hotel fees are draining Americans' wallets as expert reveals how to avoid paying hundreds extra
ICE agent saves life of 'unresponsive' 1-year-old boy in JFK airport as panic ensues in TSA security line
ICE agent saves life of 'unresponsive' 1-year-old boy in JFK airport as panic ensues in TSA security line
Teen mobs swarm downtown in chaotic takeover-fights erupt, cars targeted before curfew crackdown hits
Teen mobs swarm downtown in chaotic takeover-fights erupt, cars targeted before curfew crackdown hits
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood forced to evacuate Paris hotel after fire breaks out
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood forced to evacuate Paris hotel after fire breaks out
Driver plows through airport gate onto airfield, sneaks onto planes before police takedown, bodycam shows
Driver plows through airport gate onto airfield, sneaks onto planes before police takedown, bodycam shows
Ted Danson admits he can be a 'd---,' says wife Mary Steenburgen compares him to a 'junkyard dog'
Ted Danson admits he can be a 'd---,' says wife Mary Steenburgen compares him to a 'junkyard dog'
Dementia risk signals could lie in simple blood pressure readings, researchers say
Dementia risk signals could lie in simple blood pressure readings, researchers say
Heather Graham slams 'awkward' new reality of Hollywood sex scenes
Heather Graham slams 'awkward' new reality of Hollywood sex scenes
Stephen A Smith tells progressive left to 'shut the hell up' over voter ID laws
Stephen A Smith tells progressive left to 'shut the hell up' over voter ID laws
Pirates ace Paul Skenes has nightmare opening day start vs Mets, leaves before first inning ends
Pirates ace Paul Skenes has nightmare opening day start vs Mets, leaves before first inning ends
Veteran, 83, allegedly shoved onto NYC subway tracks dies from injuries; illegal migrant charged with murder
Veteran, 83, allegedly shoved onto NYC subway tracks dies from injuries; illegal migrant charged with murder
Country star Tracy Lawrence calls out 'divisive' political climate: Music should bring us 'all together'
Country star Tracy Lawrence calls out 'divisive' political climate: Music should bring us 'all together'
Newsom calls Harris rivalry claims 'preposterous' despite the 'shot' fired at him in her book
Newsom calls Harris rivalry claims 'preposterous' despite the 'shot' fired at him in her book
American Airlines flight attendant vanishes during Colombia layover: 'His family is desperate'
American Airlines flight attendant vanishes during Colombia layover: 'His family is desperate'
Mets national anthem singer, who played George Washington in 'Hamilton,' forgets 'Star-Spangled Banner' words
Mets national anthem singer, who played George Washington in 'Hamilton,' forgets 'Star-Spangled Banner' words
Los Angeles schools accused of quietly funding race-based programming for Black students only
Los Angeles schools accused of quietly funding race-based programming for Black students only
Latest News

copyright © 2026 Australian Directory.   All rights reserved.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z