The NCAA playoffs are one of the most exciting times of the year for college sports fans. With 68 teams competing in a single-elimination tournament, the possibilities for upsets, comebacks, and Cinderella stories are endless. To help you keep track of the action and make your picks, we've got a comprehensive guide to NCAA printable playoff bracket templates.
Why Use a Printable Bracket Template?
Using a printable bracket template can enhance your NCAA playoff experience in several ways. Here are a few benefits:
- Easy to use: Printable brackets are simple to fill out, even for casual fans. You can quickly and easily make your picks and keep track of the results.
- Customizable: Many printable brackets come with customizable options, such as the ability to add your name, team names, and scores.
- Shareable: Printable brackets are great for sharing with friends and family. You can print out multiple copies and have a friendly competition to see who can make the most accurate picks.
- No need for an app: While there are many great apps and online tools for creating and tracking NCAA playoff brackets, printable templates offer a low-tech solution that's easy to use and doesn't require a smartphone or computer.
Types of Printable Bracket Templates
There are several types of printable bracket templates available, each with its own unique features and benefits. Here are a few examples:
- Basic bracket templates: These templates provide a simple, straightforward way to fill out your picks. They usually include the standard 68-team bracket with space for team names, scores, and winners.
- Customizable bracket templates: These templates offer more advanced features, such as the ability to add your name, team logos, and custom scoring systems.
- Bracket pool templates: These templates are designed for group competitions, where multiple people can fill out their picks and compete against each other.
How to Create Your Own Printable Bracket Template
While there are many pre-made printable bracket templates available, you can also create your own custom template using a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating your own printable bracket template:
- Open a spreadsheet program: Start by opening a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
- Create a new spreadsheet: Create a new spreadsheet and give it a title, such as "NCAA Playoff Bracket."
- Set up the bracket: Set up the bracket by creating a table with the following columns:
- Team name
- Score
- Winner
- Region (e.g. East, West, South, Midwest)
- Add the teams: Add the 68 teams to the bracket, using the official NCAA tournament schedule as a guide.
- Add scoring columns: Add columns for scoring, such as points per game, points per round, and total points.
- Format the template: Format the template to make it easy to read and use. You can add borders, shading, and fonts to make it more visually appealing.
- Save and print: Save the template and print it out on paper or cardstock.
Popular NCAA Printable Bracket Templates
Here are a few popular NCAA printable bracket templates that you can use:
- ESPN's Printable Bracket: ESPN offers a free printable bracket template that includes the standard 68-team bracket, as well as scoring columns and space for team names.
- CBS Sports' Printable Bracket: CBS Sports offers a customizable printable bracket template that allows you to add your name, team logos, and custom scoring systems.
- NCAA's Official Bracket: The NCAA offers an official printable bracket template that includes the standard 68-team bracket, as well as scoring columns and space for team names.
Tips for Filling Out Your Bracket
Here are a few tips for filling out your NCAA playoff bracket:
- Know the teams: Take some time to research the teams and their strengths and weaknesses. Look at their regular season performance, conference tournament results, and injury reports.
- Pay attention to seedings: The NCAA tournament uses a seeding system to rank teams from 1 to 16 in each region. Pay attention to the seedings and use them as a guide for making your picks.
- Upsets happen: The NCAA tournament is known for its upsets, so don't be afraid to pick a few underdogs to make a run.
- Stay informed: Stay up to date with the latest news and updates from the NCAA tournament. This will help you make informed picks and adjust your bracket as needed.
Conclusion
Creating a printable NCAA playoff bracket template is a fun and easy way to enhance your tournament experience. Whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard enthusiast, a printable bracket template can help you keep track of the action and make your picks. With the tips and templates provided in this article, you'll be well on your way to creating your own custom bracket and enjoying the NCAA playoffs like never before.
FAQ Section:
What is a printable NCAA playoff bracket template?
+A printable NCAA playoff bracket template is a customizable document that allows you to fill out your picks for the NCAA tournament. It usually includes the standard 68-team bracket, as well as scoring columns and space for team names.
How do I create my own printable bracket template?
+You can create your own printable bracket template using a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. Simply set up the bracket, add the teams, and format the template to make it easy to read and use.
What are some popular NCAA printable bracket templates?
+There are many popular NCAA printable bracket templates available, including ESPN's Printable Bracket, CBS Sports' Printable Bracket, and the NCAA's Official Bracket.