How Many People Have Gotten a Perfect Bracket?
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, often referred to as “March Madness,” has captivated the attention of millions of sports enthusiasts each year. One of the most intriguing aspects of this tournament is the opportunity for fans to participate in the “Perfect Bracket” challenge. The question that often lingers in the minds of many is: How many people have actually managed to fill out a perfect bracket?
The concept of a perfect bracket is simple yet daunting. Participants must correctly predict the outcome of every single game in the tournament, from the first round to the championship game. This means selecting the winning team in each matchup, which can be quite challenging given the unpredictable nature of college basketball. Despite the odds being incredibly slim, people from all walks of life have taken on the challenge, dreaming of the day they might achieve the ultimate victory.
The first official perfect bracket contest was held in 1993, and since then, the number of participants has grown exponentially. According to the NCAA, in the 2019 tournament, over 11.7 million brackets were filled out by fans across the country. However, the number of perfect brackets submitted was a mere 1,868. This means that out of millions of entries, only a tiny fraction of participants managed to achieve the perfect score.
The odds of filling out a perfect bracket are roughly 1 in 9.2 quintillion, making it one of the most difficult tasks in probability. To put this into perspective, it would be like winning the lottery 38 times in a row. Despite the long odds, people continue to participate, driven by the thrill of the challenge and the potential for glory.
Over the years, there have been several notable instances of individuals achieving a perfect bracket. In 2003, Joe Sullivan from New York became the first person to win the contest with a perfect bracket. Since then, there have been a few others who have achieved the same feat, including a group of friends from New York who won the contest in 2012.
While the perfect bracket remains an elusive goal for most, the spirit of March Madness continues to thrive. The challenge of filling out a perfect bracket brings people together, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among fans. Whether or not they achieve the perfect score, participants can take pride in their efforts and the passion they have for the game.
In conclusion, the number of people who have filled out a perfect bracket is a small fraction of the millions who participate in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Despite the long odds, the quest for the perfect bracket remains a captivating and inspiring aspect of March Madness. As the tournament continues to grow in popularity, so too does the allure of the perfect bracket, keeping fans on the edge of their seats and dreaming of the day they might achieve the ultimate victory.
