Bracket Challenge: Compete Against SI Experts

Prove your college basketball knowledge by filling out your NCAA Tournament bracket

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:04pm

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The NCAA Tournament is here and the No. 1 seed Arizona Wildcats are ready to compete for the championship. SI's team of writers have filled out their brackets, and now it's time for fans to join the bracket challenge and try to outpick the experts.

Why it matters

March Madness is known for its unpredictability, so even casual fans have a chance to best the knowledgeable sports reporters by correctly predicting tournament upsets and Cinderella runs. This bracket challenge allows readers to test their college basketball expertise against the SI staff.

The details

Arizona has earned the No. 1 seed in the West region after a 32-2 season that included Big 12 regular season and tournament titles. SI's team of writers - Nathaniel Martinez, Justin Backer, Travis Tyler, and Caleb Meadows - have filled out their brackets, and now it's time for fans to compete against them by submitting their own picks.

  • The NCAA Tournament begins on March 16, 2026.

The players

Arizona Wildcats

The No. 2 ranked college basketball team that earned the No. 1 seed in the West region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Nathaniel Martinez

A passionate sports fan and writer for SI and other college sports outlets, currently pursuing a media and communications degree at ASU.

Justin Backer

A dedicated sports reporter who writes for multiple SI sites, including Arizona Wildcats, bringing experience from FAU and other sports media.

Travis Tyler

A graduate of Michigan State and SMU with an abundance of sports knowledge, serving as an experienced writer, podcaster, and videographer for SI.

Caleb Meadows

An Oklahoma State graduate who has covered a variety of sports topics, from college basketball to WWE, and now brings that expertise to SI.

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What’s next

Fans can click the link to the bracket challenge to fill out their tournament predictions and compete against the SI experts.

The takeaway

This bracket challenge provides an opportunity for casual fans and college basketball enthusiasts alike to test their knowledge against the experienced sports reporters at SI, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of March Madness.