Just 1,461 Perfect March Madness 2026 Brackets Remain

Chances of a perfect bracket are vanishingly small after numerous upsets in the first two days of the NCAA Tournament.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:36am

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As of Friday evening, only 1,461 perfect March Madness 2026 brackets remained out of the 26,567,887 submitted, according to ESPN. This amounts to just 0.005% of brackets still being perfect, a result of numerous upsets during the tournament so far, including No. 9 seed TCU's win over Ohio State and No. 12 seed High Point's stunning victory over No. 5 Wisconsin.

Why it matters

A perfect March Madness bracket is an incredibly rare feat, with the odds of correctly predicting every game estimated at 1 in 9.2 quintillion. The rapid busting of brackets this year highlights the unpredictable nature of the tournament and the excitement it generates, as underdog teams pull off surprising upsets that derail even the most carefully considered predictions.

The details

According to reports, nearly 16 million brackets were busted after Ohio State's 66-64 loss to No. 9 seed TCU. An additional 7,186,988 brackets were also ruined by No. 12 seed High Point's 83-82 victory over No. 5 Wisconsin, which has been the largest upset so far. High Point guard Chase Johnston, who had not made a single 2-pointer this season, scored the game-winning layup. Other notable upsets include No. 13 seed Troy's loss to Nebraska and USF's defeat against Louisville.

  • As of 6:45 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21, 2026, just 1,461 perfect ESPN brackets remained.
  • On Thursday, March 20, 2026, No. 12 seed High Point defeated No. 5 Wisconsin 83-82.

The players

Chase Johnston

A High Point guard who scored the game-winning layup against Wisconsin, despite not making a single 2-pointer all season.

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What they’re saying

“Just to be on this stage and play a game like this, something you dream about. I remember playing basketball with my brother in the backyard, one-on-one. We had our own little brackets, picking what teams we wanted to be and trying to win March Madness. And now to be on this stage with these guys and being able to hit a couple of shots and finish the layup, It's just something I'll never forget.”

— Chase Johnston

What’s next

The NCAA's bracket challenge will continue to track the number of perfect brackets remaining as the tournament progresses.

The takeaway

The rapid busting of March Madness brackets this year is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the NCAA Tournament, where underdogs can pull off stunning upsets and derail even the most carefully crafted predictions. This excitement is a big part of what makes the tournament so captivating for fans.