ESPN Analyst Jay Williams Roasted Again for 'Chalky' NCAA Tournament Bracket

Williams' bracket features mostly top seeds, but his picks were nearly perfect last year.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:40am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

ESPN basketball analyst Jay Williams has once again released an NCAA Tournament bracket filled with mostly top-seeded teams, leading to criticism from fans on social media who accuse him of playing it too safe. However, Williams' bracket was nearly perfect last year, with seven of his eight Elite Eight picks advancing. Some observers have pointed out that while it's easy to mock Williams for not picking more upsets, doing so could have also led to criticism if those risky picks failed to materialize.

Why it matters

Williams' approach highlights the challenges faced by sports analysts and commentators, who are often criticized no matter what strategy they employ when making tournament predictions. While picking mostly favorites may seem unimaginative, it can also lead to more accurate results, which is ultimately Williams' job as an ESPN analyst.

The details

For the second year in a row, Williams has released an NCAA Tournament bracket featuring a large number of top-seeded teams advancing deep into the tournament. This 'chalky' approach has led to Williams being roasted on social media, with fans accusing him of playing it too safe. However, Williams' bracket was nearly perfect last year, with seven of his eight Elite Eight picks advancing. Some observers have pointed out that if Williams had instead picked more upsets and they failed to materialize, he would have faced criticism for 'not knowing ball'.

  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament is set to take place in Indianapolis, Indiana in March.

The players

Jay Williams

An ESPN basketball analyst and former college and NBA player.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's damned if you do, damned if you don't for Williams.”

— Austin Perry, Author (outkick.com)

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by sports analysts and commentators, who must balance making bold predictions with maintaining credibility. While Williams' 'chalky' bracket may seem unimaginative, his nearly perfect picks from last year show that playing it safe can sometimes lead to more accurate results, which is the ultimate goal for an ESPN analyst.