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The perfect March Madness bracket may still exist, but the odds have narrowed significantly after the first round of games concluded Friday night.
Of the more than 36 million brackets filled out across major sports platforms, only 224 flawless entries remained going into the second round on Saturday, according to NCAA website.
High Point Panthers fans watch before a game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on March 19, 2026. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)
About 14,000 brackets remained after a trio of upsets on Thursday, and despite no Cinderella stories on Friday, that number was further reduced to 224. That number dropped further Saturday afternoon after No. 1 seed Michigan punched its ticket to the Sweet 16, leaving just 207 entries intact.
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According to the NCAA, the biggest bracket buster of the day was No. 7 seed Kentucky’s thrilling overtime win over No. 10 seed Santa Clara. The Broncos looked to upset the Wildcats, but Otega Oweh’s 3-pointer in front of his own bench with just 2.4 seconds left in regulation gave Kentucky the way to score eight straight points in overtime to advance to the second round.
Approximately 6,000 brackets were dismantled at the final whistle. Another 3,200 were busted as Utah State pulled away from Villanova, 86-76.
Brandon Garrison (10) of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates a basket against the Santa Clara Broncos during overtime in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 20, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ALMOST 36 MILLION MARCH MADNESS BUCKETS USED ON DAY 1 WHICH LIKELY CREATES HAVOC
Saturday could see more heartbreak for fans (or optimism) with three upset winners scheduled to play top seeds. No. 11 Texas hosts No. 3 Gonzaga at 7:10 p.m. ET, No. 11 VCU meets No. 3 Illinois at 7:50 p.m. ET, and No. 12 High Point will battle No. 4 Arkansas at 9:45 PM ET.
The NCAA predicts the biggest thriller will be Michigan State vs. Louisville. If Louisville wins, only 74 brackets will advance.
A perfect bracket for all 63 games earns more than just bragging rights.
Siena Saints fans watch during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, March 19, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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Kalshi, a leader in prediction markets — where users buy and trade stocks based on potential event outcomes — is offering $1 billion to anyone who correctly predicts all 63 tournament games, with a $1 million “consolation” prize for the person who finishes as the top scorer.
According to its tracker, only two records remain perfect on Kalshi’s platform.
