2025 March Madness: Best names to use for NCAA Tournament bracket pools
2025 March Madness: Best names to use for NCAA Tournament bracket pools
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NBA draft prospects to watch in the March Madness tournament
USAT's Mackenzie Salmon gives you four players to keep your eye on in March Madness that will most likely be heading to the NBA next year.
Sports Pulse
Hurry! There's still time to get your NCAA Tournament brackets submitted. Even better, there's still time to start a pool in your office or among your friends.
While March Madness is one of the greatest times to be a sports fan, it can be made even better by adding that element of competition among your compatriots. Of course, the best way to make your mark in any survivor pool is to win. However, if you can't win, you might as well go down with a stellar name that makes your counterparts smile, laugh or laud your wit.
Here are our favorite bracket names from around the internet as we approach the Round of 64:
March Madness bracket 2025: AI picks every men's NCAA Tournament game winner
Best March Madness bracket names
General college basketball bracket names
Fade this Bracket − a little self-deprecation never hurt anybody, and it adds a sense of irony to your victory should your bracket do well. At the very least, it prompts people to have very little faith in your bracket, so even if you struggle, you can say you called it.
− a little self-deprecation never hurt anybody, and it adds a sense of irony to your victory should your bracket do well. At the very least, it prompts people to have very little faith in your bracket, so even if you struggle, you can say you called it. 16 Seed Moneyline Lock − everyone loves backing an underdog. Maybe don't put money on a No. 16 seed, but basing your bracket around that could be fun. Plus, it would make for a great story if a 16 seed did wind up upsetting a No. 1 seed.
− everyone loves backing an underdog. Maybe don't put money on a No. 16 seed, but basing your bracket around that could be fun. Plus, it would make for a great story if a 16 seed did wind up upsetting a No. 1 seed. Hope This Bracket Finds You Well − works great in an office setting. Fortunately though, unlike most emails, the bracket should actually find your colleagues well for the most part.
College/mascot-inspired names
Auburn Notice − Auburn is a good team to back this year, boasting arguably the best player in college basketball this year in Johni Broome. Throwing in a reference to an underrated TV show is also a huge plus.
− Auburn is a good team to back this year, boasting arguably the best player in college basketball this year in Johni Broome. Throwing in a reference to an underrated TV show is also a huge plus. UCan't Beat Me − A name like this sets the tone early. It's confident and references the reigning back-to-back champs. It's tough to beat (no pun intended).
− A name like this sets the tone early. It's confident and references the reigning back-to-back champs. It's tough to beat (no pun intended). Remembering the Pac-12 − nothing beats a trip down memory lane, and with this being the first year of college basketball without the beloved conference. Will they rebuild? Who knows? But as it stands, it's fun to look back.
− nothing beats a trip down memory lane, and with this being the first year of college basketball without the beloved conference. Will they rebuild? Who knows? But as it stands, it's fun to look back. Big Blue's Due − you can never go wrong with a rhyme, and given Kentucky's strength this year, they could very well be due for a championship.
Player-inspired names
Bring Out the Broomes − Johni Broome has been arguably the best player in the toughest conference, so if you're backing Auburn and plan to sweep up the competition, this is the name for you.
− Johni Broome has been arguably the best player in the toughest conference, so if you're backing Auburn and plan to sweep up the competition, this is the name for you. Run It Up The Flagg Pole − Although Flagg's status for Duke's first March Madness game is still up in the air, he's an undeniable talent that no one would mock you for basing your bracket around.
March Madness lore-inspired names
Sister Jean Blessed this Bracket − In remembrance of one of the greatest Cinderella runs of all-time, a blessing from Sister Jean would almost certainly win you your pool
− In remembrance of one of the greatest Cinderella runs of all-time, a blessing from Sister Jean would almost certainly win you your pool Striking Gohlke − Just last year, Jack Gohlke stunned basketball fans leading Oakland to a win over Kentucky in the opening round. If they can win against impossible odds, your bracket can do well too.
− Just last year, Jack Gohlke stunned basketball fans leading Oakland to a win over Kentucky in the opening round. If they can win against impossible odds, your bracket can do well too. UMBC You Later − UMBC was the first No. 16 seed to ever take down a No. 1 seed. This bracket name lets your colleagues know that you're rooting for chaos.
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