Printable NCAA Bracket 2013: Tips That Will Help You Dominate Your Office Pool

It wouldn't be called "March Madness" if there weren't countless upsets in the NCAA tournament.

As you examine the field to try to find your upset picks, make sure to print out your bracket here if you haven't already done so, stay plugged in with the live tournament bracket and check back for updates on the 2013 NCAA tournament.

One of the best things to do as you fill out your bracket is to identify big favorites who are scuffling into the tournament. 

If you're looking for a good example of top-tier program who hurt fans because of its reputation, look no further than Duke. A casual fan may look at Duke and its history in the tournament under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski and assume the Blue Devils are guaranteed to at least get past the first round this year. 

Then again, Duke lost to No. 15 seed Lehigh last season as a No. 2 seed. It's easy to look past a team from the Patriot League, but Lehigh was riding an eight-game winning streak headed into the tournament while Duke had lost two of its last three games (the sole win during that span was a 60-56 nail-biter against Virginia Tech, which finished below .500 that year).

What we should have figured out by now is that you don't judge a team by the competition it plays during the regular season. You judge each March Madness matchup individually, examining how the two teams compare and contrast. 

For example, Michigan has a dynamic offense led by guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr., but the Wolverines' defense has been suspect this season. So has the team's rebounding. Now, you look at potential Sweet 16 opponent Kansas—which has scoring, defense and rebounding—and the Wolverines should be legitimately worried in that potential scenario.

Also, if a team in a mediocre conference has legit talent, said talent can shock some big-name schools (i.e. Lehigh's C.J. McCollum against Duke last season).

For example, this year Iona, Butler, Belmont, South Dakota State and Creighton all have dangerous scorers who have the ability to carry their respective squads like McCollum did with Lehigh last season.

Another pathway to success is to look below the surface when it comes to making picks for the NCAA tournament.

As you do, you may be surprised at what you come across. Make sure to study playing styles and key matchups that underdogs will be able to exploit against these marquee programs. Even the best teams have weaknesses that can be exploited and ruin your bracket

If you don't, you'll end up like the hundreds of fans who watched their brackets bust with Duke's title hopes in 2012.

Make your picks for the 2013 NCAA Tournament here with the Bracket Challenge Game.