Printable NCAA Bracket 2013: Picks for Most Intriguing Round of 32 Matchups

So, you printed out your 2013 NCAA bracket and thought it was going to be a winner. There’s no shame in admitting that, no matter how much you know, March Madness is truly that: madness.

With all of the scribble marks, cross outs and tears, you’ll want to go ahead and print another out.

We’re not even to the round of 32 of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament and there are just two perfect brackets left between ESPN and Sports Illustrated’s bracket challenges.

Sports Illustrated announced the disappointing news (via Twitter) that there were zero perfect brackets left in their challenge:

The publication was, of course, offering a $1 million prize to a potential perfect bracket entry.

ESPN, though, still had two perfect brackets remaining as of 6 p.m. ET on Friday evening. Phil Murphy of ESPN.com linked to user karenderian’s entry, which is one of the two remaining left:

While the other may be “clearly crazy,” this is March Madness. We’ll wait and see what happens before we pass judgment. After all, we’ve all been wrong at least once to this point.

What most of us can do, is hope that the teams we picked to advance continue to do so.

Now, let’s take a look at who might come out on top of the most intriguing matchups that are already set for the round of 32.

 

Gonzaga (1) vs. Wichita State (9)

Gonzaga narrowly escaped becoming the first No. 1 seed to fall to a No. 16 seed in modern NCAA tournament history. On the flipside, the Wichita State Shockers didn’t shock anyone when they handily stifled and dispatched Pittsburgh 73-55.

Defense is what kept the Shockers ahead and it could be what ends up spoiling countless brackets around the country. Can the Zags rebound from a shockingly-poor performance in the round of 64 to advance to the Sweet 16?

Prediction: Wichita State 61, Gonzaga 59

Ole Miss (12) vs. La Salle (13)

Both Ole Miss and La Salle busted some brackets when they advanced through to the round of 32. Chances are, not many—if any—of you have much to worry about in this one.

But, it’s still fun to see two Cinderellas go head-to-head in March. Will Ole Miss, who decisively beat Wisconsin (5), be able to withstand the charge from La Salle?

The Rebels have their hands full with the Explorers, who come from a surprisingly competitive A-10 conference. Up until Friday afternoon, thanks to La Salle, the A-10 was 6-0 in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

Prediction: La Salle 59, Ole Miss 56

 

Michigan (4) vs. VCU (5)

Chances are you have some interest in this one. Not many people, unless trying to think outside of the box, would have picked either VCU or Michigan to lose in their round of 64 matchups.

Both of these teams blew past their second-round competition and will meet in perhaps the best matchup of the round of 32. VCU is no longer a Cinderella story; we’re watching intently to see how they perform with the spotlight on them this year.

The Wolverines are as talented and explosive offensively as anyone, but can they contain a VCU offense that put up 88 points in their first matchup?

Prediction: Michigan 78, VCU 70

Link to Printable PDF

Link to Live Bracket

Follow all the exciting NCAA Tournament action with March Madness Live