This bracketologist team, based in Syracuse, was the only one to predict all 68 teams correctly in last year's tournament.
With the regular season concluding this week, the reveal of the official field of 68 for this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament is now less than three weeks away. Later this month, the top bracketologist team in the country will be providing their content exclusively to Syracuse Roundtable.
Perfect in 2025. Perfect in 2024
Last year the team of John Burt Jr. and Mike Campagnone were the only public bracketologists to predict all 68 teams correct for the NCAA tournament.
The 2025 campaign actually marked the second consecutive year where both Burt and Campagnone correctly predicted all 68 teams. Ironically enough, the duo is based in the Syracuse-area.
Bracketlogists like Burt and Campagnone are graded with their success on Bracket Matrix.
How does the grading all work?
"..awards 3 points for each team correctly picked, 3 points for each team correctly seeded, and 1 point for each team not seeded correctly but within one seed line. With 68 teams, a perfect score is 408. The variance section of the data table below lists the absolute deviation between each score and the mean for that particular year. Thus, a 10 point variance means that site's bracket scored 10 points higher than the average bracket that year.
Starting on Sunday, March 15th, follow along here at Syracuse Roundtable as we update you, along with the Burt and Campagnone's work, before the official field is announced. Both bracketologies offered their early takes on some storylines they are looking at as we approach Selection Sunday.
Burt's favorite storylines to follow
Where's the Mountain West? 2025 saw four teams from the Mountain West make the tournament, 2024 saw six teams make it, 2023 saw four teams make it, 2022 saw four teams make it. If Utah State wins the conference tournament title, there is a very good possibility the MW only gets one team in for the first time since 2017.
Hall Eyes on the Pirates: One bubble team to keep an eye on is Seton Hall - Currently at 19-10 with close losses to UConn (twice) and St John's. The Pirates have a huge opportunity to make a case for an at-large bid if they can knock off Xavier & St John's in their final two regular season games. If they win those two games, look for them to get into the dance even if they have a weak conference tournament showing. There are two members on the tournament committee who have Big East ties, which has been a big indicator of who gets in/out in recent history.
Cold Cougs Once a top 10 team in the nation, BYU has been fading FAST. 4-8 in their last 12 games while losing guard Richie Saunders to a torn ACL. Superstar freshman AJ Dybantsa has been MUST-WATCH TV this whole season but look for this team to fall as low as an 8/9 seed. What a second-round game they could line up to have. Imagine the matchup of #1 Duke vs #8 BYU! (Cam) Boozer vs AJD could potentially be the best freshman v freshman matchup in tourney history!
Returning Champs back for blood! Florida has only dropped two games in conference play this season. Todd Golden's Gators have chomped the hell out of their opponents during their current nine-game win streak with every win by double-digits. Could Florida play themselves into a one seed if they take care of business in their last two regular season games and win the SEC tournament?
Campagnone's favorite storylines to follow
How many first year head coaches can secure an at-large bid?
Can the success of first-year coaches give hope to programs like Syracuse and K-State, which may both be looking for new coaches next season? Just in the ACC alone, you will have three programs that look to be locks heading into March Madness with Virginia (Ryan Odom), Miami (Jai Lucas) & NC State (Will Wade). Throw in Kevin Willard at Villanova & Ben McCollum at Iowa, these first year head coaches continue to have success with bringing their programs to the Big Dance.
The most obvious story line heading into conference championship week is can Miami (OH) stay undefeated?
Can the RedHawks get an at-large bid with a loss in the conference tourney semifinals or championship? It would be tough for the committee to turn down an undefeated regular season champion if their only loss is in the championship game.
Did Houston do enough to earn a top three seed in the South Region where it will be a home game for them in Houston, Texas?
Ø Rice University is actually hosting the South Region so that means the Houston Cougars can be placed in that region. The NCAA runners-up last year got off to a 23-2 start but lost three in a row recently, can they run through a tough Big 12 tournament and earn a spot in that region?
What big brands will be placed into the First Four in Dayton, Ohio?
Ø Last year it was North Carolina sneaking into the tournament and earning a spot in the First Four. Will blue bloods like Indiana or UCLA be placed in those First Four games? Could Miami (OH) be in Dayton, OH if they don’t win their conference tournament?
Which conference will be the bid stealer? And why is it always the A-10?
Ø Duquesne in 2024, Richmond in 2022, Davidson in 2018 all stole bids from the at-large pool. If Saint Louis is forced into a potential at-large bid, will a team like St. Joseph's or George Mason steal a bid from the at-large pool as a conference champion?
Syracuse's chances slim to reach NCAA Tournament
Both Burt and Campagnone agree the Orange will only qualify for this year's NCAA tournament field if they win the ACC tournament in Charlotte, N.C. The winner of this year's ACC tournament will clinch the automatic qualifying berth for the NCAA tournament.
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