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Check your bracket: Where do you rank in the College Basketball Bracket Challenge?

Can you pick the perfect bracket?
Credit: NCAA
March 2023 College Basketball Bracket

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Can you pick the perfect bracket? Enter our March College Basketball Bracket Challenge!

OFFICIAL RULES - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

SECOND STREET MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CONTEST OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. THIS CONTEST IS INTENDED FOR PLAY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA ONLY AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY U.S. LAW. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE AND LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA AT THE TIME OF ENTRY.

These Official Rules are for the Second Street Men's College Basketball Tournament Contest (the "Contest"), which is a nationwide contest (including both the United States and Canada) Sponsored by Second Street Media Inc. ("Sponsor"). Local affiliates who choose to participate in this Contest may offer prizes for their participants only, but eligibility for those prizes may be restricted to individuals in the affiliate's local area.

This Contest is not intended to be used for gambling purposes. If it is determined that a participant is using the Contest for gambling purposes, he/she will be disqualified.


  1. This Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 states of United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older, and legal residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), who are of legal age of majority in their province of residence, at the time of entry. Local affiliates may restrict eligibility for affiliate prizes; eligibility for local affiliate prizes will be posted on the local affiliate's website. Employees of Sponsor and participating affiliates (the "Promotion Parties"), and members of the immediate family (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouse) and households of each such employee are not eligible to participate or win a prize. This contest is void in Quebec and where prohibited by law.

  2. HOW TO PLAY:

    • Full Bracket Game

      In the "Full Bracket" game, you pick the winner of each game of each round of the tournament prior to the start of the first full round of the tournament (the round of 64 teams) (hereafter referred to as the "First Round").

      Select the team that you predict will win each game of the Men's College Basketball Tournament and enter the score for the designated tie-breaker game. You may enter your picks until the scheduled tip-off of the first game of the First Round of the tournament. You will not be required to pick the winners of the four play-in games. Limit one (1) entry per person.

      Each round of the tournament is worth up to 64 points. There are 6 rounds in the tournament worth up to 384 points. You will receive 2 points for each First Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 4 points for each Second Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 8 points for each Third Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 16 points for each Fourth Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 32 points for each Fifth Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 64 points for picking the winner of the Championship game. If a game is canceled, forfeited, or indefinitely suspended for any reason, the team moving on to the next round of the contest will be awarded points as if they won the actual game.

      If the tournament is cancelled prior to the start for any reason, the overall national prize will be awarded by random selection of the registered users at the time of cancelation.

      The participant with the highest score for each round will be deemed the round winner, subject to verification. The participant with the highest total score for all rounds combined will be deemed the Full Bracket Grand Prize winner, subject to verification of eligibility.

      In the event of a tie for the highest score in any round, the winner for the round will be randomly selected from among the tied participants.

      In the event of a tie for the highest overall score, the "Score Approximation Formula" outlined below will be used to determine the Grand Prize winner.

      Score Approximation Formula:

      1. Subtract what the participant chose as the score for the winning team from the actual winning team's score and square this value.
      2. Subtract what the participant chose as the score for the losing team from the actual losing team's score and squares this value.
      3. Add the value from 1 and 2 above together to get the participant's "score approximation."
    • The tied participant with the lowest "Score Approximation" will be deemed the winner.

      If there are still ties, the ties will be broken based on the following criteria in this order:

      1. The most points earned in the Fifth Round.
      2. The most points earned in the Fourth Round.
      3. The most points earned in the Third Round.
      4. The most points earned in the Second Round.
      5. The most points earned in the First Round.
      6. If there is still a tie, the winner will be randomly selected from the remaining tied players.
    • 16 Team Bracket Game

      In the 16 Team Bracket game, you pick the winner of each game of each round of the tournament remaining prior to the start of the third full round of the tournament (the round of 16 teams) (hereafter, the "Third Round"). The 16 Team Bracket game may not be offered by all local affiliates.

      Select the team that you predict will win each game of the Men's College Basketball Tournament from the Third Round on and enter the score for the designated tie-breaker game. You may enter your picks until the scheduled tip-off of the first game of the Third Round. Limit one (1) entry per person.

      Each remaining round of the tournament is worth up to 64 points. There are 4 rounds remaining in the tournament worth up to 256 points. You will receive 8 points for each Third Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 16 points for each Fourth Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 32 points for each Fifth Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 64 points for picking the winner of the Championship game. If a game is canceled, forfeited, or indefinitely suspended for any reason, the team moving on to the next round of the contest will be awarded points as if they won the actual game.

      The participant with the highest total score for all rounds combined (Third Round through the Championship game) will be deemed the 16 Team Bracket Game winner, subject to verification of eligibility.

      In the event of a tie for the highest overall score, the "Score Approximation Formula" outlined below will be used to determine the winner.

      Score Approximation Formula:

      1. Subtract what the participant chose as the score for the winning team from the actual winning team's score and square this value.
      2. Subtract what the participant chose as the score for the losing team from the actual losing team's score and squares this value.
      3. Add the value from 1 and 2 above together to get the participant's "score approximation."
    • The tied participant with the lowest "Score Approximation" will be deemed the winner.

      If there are still ties, the ties will be broken based on the following criteria in this order:

      1. The most points earned in the Fifth Round.
      2. The most points earned in the Fourth Round.
      3. The most points earned in the Third Round.
      4. If there is still a tie, the winner will be randomly selected from the remaining tied players.
    • 4 Team Bracket Game

      In the 4 Team Bracket game, you pick the winner of each game of each round of the tournament remaining prior to the start of the fifth full round of the tournament (the round of 4 teams) (hereafter, the "Fifth Round"). The 4 Team Bracket game may not be offered by all local affiliates.

      Select the team that you predict will win each game of the Men's College Basketball Tournament and enter the score for the designated tie-breaker game. You may enter your picks until the scheduled tip-off of the first game of the Fifth Round of the tournament. Limit one (1) entry per person.

      Each remaining round of the tournament is worth up to 64 points. There are 2 rounds remaining in the tournament worth up to 128 points. You will receive 32 points for each Fifth Round game you pick correctly. You will receive 64 points for picking the winner of the Championship game. If a game is canceled, forfeited, or indefinitely suspended for any reason, the team moving on to the next round of the contest will be awarded points as if they won the actual game.

      The participant with the highest total score for all rounds combined (Fifth Round through the Championship game) will be deemed the 4 Team Bracket Game winner, subject to verification of eligibility.

      In the event of a tie for the highest overall score, the "Score Approximation Formula" outlined below will be used to determine the winner.

      Score Approximation Formula:

      1. Subtract what the participant chose as the score for the winning team from the actual winning team's score and square this value.
      2. Subtract what the participant chose as the score for the losing team from the actual losing team's score and squares this value.
      3. Add the value from 1 and 2 above together to get the participant's "score approximation."
    • The tied participant with the lowest "Score Approximation" will be deemed the winner.

      If there are still ties, the ties will be broken based on the following criteria in this order:

      1. The most points earned in the Fifth Round.
      2. If there is still a tie, the winner will be randomly selected from the tied players.
  3. WINNER NOTIFICATION:

    Winners will be notified by email. All posted results are unofficial until winners are verified. If a winner does not respond within seven (7) days of the initial notification email, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to the next highest scoring participant. Prizes won by an eligible participant who is a minor in his/her state of residence will be awarded to minor's parent or legal guardian who must sign and return all required documents. Sponsor is not responsible for any change of email address, mailing address and/or telephone number of participants.

  4. PRIZES:

    The Promotion Parties reserve the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash equivalent or substitution of prize is offered, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor.

    The Promotion Parties have not made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize, including but not limited to its quality, mechanical condition or fitness for a particular purpose. Any and all warranties and/or guarantees on a prize (if any) are provided only by the manufacturer, and winners agree to look solely to such manufacturers for any such warranty and/or guarantee. Each winner is responsible for all federal, state and local taxes and may be required to complete an IRS form W-9. Sponsor reserves the right to withhold prizes until completed form W-9 is received.

    National Prizes

    • Winner of Full Bracket game individual rounds - $75 VISA Gift Card
    • Overall Winner of Full Bracket - $475 VISA Gift Card
    • Overall Winner of 16 Team Bracket - $475 VISA Gift Card
    • Overall Winner of 4 Team Bracket - $475 VISA Gift Card
  5. GENERAL CONDITIONS:

    Participants agree to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and that the decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding on all matters pertaining to the Contest.

    The Promotion Parties reserve the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash equivalent or substitution of prize is offered, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. The Promotion Parties have not made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize, including but not limited to its quality, mechanical condition or fitness for a particular purpose. Any and all warranties and/or guarantees on a prize (if any) are provided only by the manufacturer, and winners agree to look solely to such manufacturers for any such warranty and/or guarantee. Each winner is responsible for all federal, state and local taxes and may be required to complete an IRS form W-9. Sponsor reserves the right to withhold prizes until completed form W-9 is received.

    A participant grants to Sponsor and its affiliates the right to use and publish his/her proper name and state/province or residence online and in print, or any other media, in connection with the Contest. By accepting a prize, a winner grants Sponsor the right to use his or her name and likeness for advertising and promotional purposes without further compensation. Participants agree (a) to release and hold Sponsor, Promotion Parties and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents harmless from any and all liability for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including death, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of the prize or participation in this Contest; (b) that under no circumstances will participants be permitted to obtain awards for any punitive, incidental or consequential damages; (c) all causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or any prize awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (d) any and all claims, judgments, and award shall be limited to actual out-of- pocket costs incurred, excluding attorneys' fees and court costs.

  6. PRIVACY NOTICE:

    Information you provide in connection with this contest is subject to Sponsor's Privacy Policy and will be shared with your local affiliate.

  7. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY:

    Sponsor and Promotion Parties are not responsible for Internet crashes or slowdowns caused by network congestion, viruses, sabotage, satellite failures, phone line failures, electrical outages, natural disasters or acts of man or God, lost, late, misdirected, postage-due, unintelligible, returned, undelivered entries or email, or for lost, interrupted or unavailable satellite, network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), Website, or other connections availability, accessibility or traffic congestion, miscommunications, failed computer, network, telephone, satellite or cable hardware or software or lines, or technical failure, or jumbled, scrambled, delayed or misdirected transmissions, computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic or network. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of this Contest or Website, or act in violation of the Official Rules, or act in any manner to threaten or abuse or harass any person, or violate Website's terms of service, as solely determined by the Sponsor, will be disqualified. Neither Sponsor nor Promotion Parties are responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information whether caused by Website users, tampering, hacking, or by any of the programming or equipment associated with or used in this Contest, and assumes no responsibility for any errors, omission, deletion, interruption or delay in operation or transmission or communication line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized Website access. Any use of robotic, macro, automatic, programmed or like methods of play will void all such plays, and may subject that participant to disqualification. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual (and all of his or her submissions) who tampers with the submission process. Neither Sponsor nor Promotion Parties are responsible for injury or damage to participant's or any other person's computer or property related to or resulting from participating in this Contest. Should any portion of Contest be, in the Sponsor's sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, unauthorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair administration, security, fairness or proper play of this Contest, or Contest plays, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Contest.

  8. WINNERS:

    For a list of national winners, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Second Street Media, Inc., 401 Congress Avenue, Suite #1850, Austin, TX 78701, Attn: Men's College Basketball Tournament Contest Winners List. Requests must be received by June 30, 2023. This contest is sponsored by Second Street Media, Inc., 401 Congress Avenue, Suite 1850, Austin, TX 78701.

© 2023 Second Street Media, Inc.

The content, information, data, designs and code associated with the Contest website are protected by intellectual property and other laws. Copying or unauthorized use of any copyrighted materials, trademarks or any other intellectual property without the express written consent of its owner is strictly prohibited.

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