March Madness 2012 Bracket: Tips for the Casual College Basketball Fan

If you haven't been paying attention to the college basketball scene this year, there's no reason to panic.

We understand that it is difficult to get excited about games that start in October and have no real meaning until March. That is why we keep tabs on it so you can reap all the benefits in your office pool when the tournament rolls around. 

For starters, get the printable bracket here. Many of you have done this before, so we'll just skip ahead to some tips for this year's tournament. 

Pick Upsets, but Don't Get Crazy with Upsets

You know damn well you can't pick all the favorites. Scientifically it just doesn't happen very often, but the only way to get ahead in this tournament is to take a chance.

For this year there are a few teams worth getting excited about, but not ones that you can expect to ride to the Final Four like VCU a year ago.

The Rams are again in this tournament and again in position to make a potential run, but not only is picking them for another Final Four foolish, picking them to win even a single game is a big risk this time around.

Have a 12-5 upset, and consider a 13-4 or 11-6 upset, but be sure to spread them out and choose them based on more than whether or not you've heard of them.

Don't Rule Out the No. 1 Seeds Just Because They're the No. 1 Seeds

Only one of this year's No. 1 seeds won their conference tournament. 

Kentucky and Syracuse were dominant before falling in their respective conference postseasons that it would be easy to think that the No. 1 seeds won't make the Final Four.

Understand this—the Wildcats, Orange, Spartans and Tar Heels are capable of running over everything single team in this tournament.

The most questionable No. 1 seed is Sparty (Missouri should've gotten that No. 1 seed), but don't bail on the top seeds just because it is extremely difficult for them all to show up.

It wouldn't be shocking if three of the four made it this year.

Don't Try to Be Perfect

It is nearly impossible to be perfect in the NCAA Tournament, but you can minimize a loss by not trying to predict the entire thing with one crazy pick.

Take your time, but you aren't going to be perfect—getting as many teams as possible into the Final Four is the ultimate goal.