NCAA Bracket 2016: Printable Bracket Preparation and Top Challenge Games

With Selection Sunday on the horizon, college basketball enthusiasts are likely already making preparations for the NCAA tournament and the immensely popular bracket challenges that go along with it.

Even the most novice followers of college basketball can take part in filling out a bracket, which is a huge part of what makes March Madness such a nationwide and global phenomenon.

There are still some conference champions left to be crowned and plenty of seeds to be sorted out, but it is never too early to look ahead toward one of the most exciting events in sports.

Ahead of Sunday's bracket reveal, here is everything you need to know about how to get prepared, as well as how you can get in the game and put your college basketball knowledge to the test.

Printable Bracket Preparation

While there isn't yet much to look at, since the selection committee will mull things over until Sunday night, those hoping to get an early look at a printable bracket can do so at NCAA.com.

If nothing else, it provides a preview of the layout for those who may not be particularly familiar with the way the NCAA tournament works.

While 68 teams make the field, only 64 will be alive by the time the first round commences, since the First Four will result in four teams getting eliminated on the opening two days of the tourney.

Although most picks can't be made until the bracket is set, there are some simple rules that bracket players should keep in mind going in.

A No. 16 seed has never beaten a No. 1, and a No. 15 has only beaten a No. 2 on seven occasions, according to MCubed.net, which means it is safe to pencil the top eight teams in the tournament into the second round.

Also, the No. 12 seed beats the No. 5 seed nearly 33 percent of the time, the No. 11 seed beats the No. 6 seed 34 percent of the time, and the No. 10 seed beats the No. 7 seed over 39 percent of the time, so picking at least one of each upset is a great way to stay in the mix.

With regard to picking which team will win it all, the No. 1 seed takes the crown 61.3 percent of the time, per Bill Bender of Sporting News, and 41.1 percent of the top seeds make the Final Four, so sticking with the chalk is often a good thing.

Top Challenge Games

Doing a bracket pool with your friends or at your workplace is an old standby that will undoubtedly keep you interested in the NCAA tournament, but there are even more options in the form of online contests for many major sports websites.

Bleacher Report's March Madness Bracket Challenge is back in 2016, and it is offering a grand prize that will appeal to sports fans in a big way.

The grand prize winner will win an ultimate sports trip that will allow them and a guest to attend four different sporting events of their choice.

ESPN's Tournament Challenge is also among them, and it is certainly appealing, since the winner will secure a $10,000 Amazon gift card, as well as a trip for two to the 2016 Maui Invitational.

The NCAA.com Bracket Challenge and CBSSports.com Bracket Challenge offer up some enticing trips as grand prizes as well, with the winner earning the right to attend the 2017 Final Four.

Aside from going to the games, watching them on a state-of-the-art television is the next-best thing, and the Fox Bracket Challenge plays up to that, since the winner gets a 60-inch LED Sharp Smart TV, while the next four finishers receive a 50-inch model.

The odds of winning these competitions certainly aren't great, but since taking part is free of charge and multiple entries are allowed, it's worth a shot.

While there are elements of skill involved with filling out a bracket, it largely comes down to luck, which means essentially anyone could be a winner.

A little extra research could go a long way, though, so keep a close eye on what happens on Selection Sunday, pay attention to the trends and enjoy the challenge of predicting what will occur for the remainder of one of the most chaotic college basketball seasons in recent memory.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter. 

Sign up and play Bleacher Report's Bracket Challenge now for a chance to win the Ultimate Sports Trip to four events of your choice. And click here for B/R's Printable Bracket.