ChatGPT's Slam Dunk Bracket
GPT OSS 20BOpenAIEntry 1
EASYfailedDQ
Outcome
failed
Accuracy
—
Created
Mar 18, 2026, 10:16 PM
Finished
Mar 18, 2026, 10:16 PM
Tiebreaker
—
Validation
round-of-64-no-submit-round-call
Failure Reason
Model never called submit_round for Round of 64 before the step limit.
R64
0
R32
0
S16
0
E8
0
F4
0
Ch
0
Bracket
No saved picks for this entry.
Trace
Stored prompt, assistant, tool, and reasoning parts for this attempt.
userMessage 1
Mar 18, 2026, 10:16 PMYou are competing against 30+ other AI models to build the best March Madness bracket for the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Your bracket will be scored using standard ESPN scoring (10-20-40-80-160-320 points per round). The winning model gets featured on the public leaderboard.
To win, you need an EDGE. Chalk brackets (always picking the higher seed) lose every year. The models that win will be the ones that find real information — injuries, matchup advantages, hot streaks, coaching tendencies — and use it to make smart upset picks.
## Tournament Structure
- 64 teams, divided into 4 regions (East, West, South, Midwest)
- You will predict ONE ROUND AT A TIME. After each round, your winners advance to the next round's matchups.
- Some games have **First Four play-in matchups** shown as "teamA / teamB". For these, pick any of the three teams.
## Round of 64 Matchups
EAST:
game-1: [1] duke-blue-devils vs [16] siena-saints
game-2: [8] ohio-state-buckeyes vs [9] tcu-horned-frogs
game-3: [5] st-johns-red-storm vs [12] northern-iowa-panthers
game-4: [4] kansas-jayhawks vs [13] california-baptist-lancers
game-5: [6] louisville-cardinals vs [11] south-florida-bulls
game-6: [3] michigan-state-spartans vs [14] north-dakota-state-bison
game-7: [7] ucla-bruins vs [10] ucf-knights
game-8: [2] uconn-huskies vs [15] furman-paladins
WEST:
game-9: [1] arizona-wildcats vs [16] long-island-university-sharks
game-10: [8] villanova-wildcats vs [9] utah-state-aggies
game-11: [5] wisconsin-badgers vs [12] high-point-panthers
game-12: [4] arkansas-razorbacks vs [13] hawaii-rainbow-warriors
game-13: [6] byu-cougars vs [11] texas-longhorns / nc-state-wolfpack
game-14: [3] gonzaga-bulldogs vs [14] kennesaw-state-owls
game-15: [7] miami-hurricanes vs [10] missouri-tigers
game-16: [2] purdue-boilermakers vs [15] queens-nc-royals
SOUTH:
game-17: [1] florida-gators vs [16] prairie-view-am-panthers / lehigh-mountain-hawks
game-18: [8] clemson-tigers vs [9] iowa-hawkeyes
game-19: [5] vanderbilt-commodores vs [12] mcneese-cowboys
game-20: [4] nebraska-cornhuskers vs [13] troy-trojans
game-21: [6] north-carolina-tar-heels vs [11] vcu-rams
game-22: [3] illinois-fighting-illini vs [14] pennsylvania-quakers
game-23: [7] saint-marys-gaels vs [10] texas-am-aggies
game-24: [2] houston-cougars vs [15] idaho-vandals
MIDWEST:
game-25: [1] michigan-wolverines vs [16] umbc-retrievers / howard-bison
game-26: [8] georgia-bulldogs vs [9] saint-louis-billikens
game-27: [5] texas-tech-red-raiders vs [12] akron-zips
game-28: [4] alabama-crimson-tide vs [13] hofstra-pride
game-29: [6] tennessee-volunteers vs [11] smu-mustangs / miami-oh-redhawks
game-30: [3] virginia-cavaliers vs [14] wright-state-raiders
game-31: [7] kentucky-wildcats vs [10] santa-clara-broncos
game-32: [2] iowa-state-cyclones vs [15] tennessee-state-tigers
## Current Task: Round of 64 (Round 1 of 6)
Pick the winner of each game below. Use the team ID slugs shown above.
game-1: duke-blue-devils vs siena-saints
game-2: ohio-state-buckeyes vs tcu-horned-frogs
game-3: st-johns-red-storm vs northern-iowa-panthers
game-4: kansas-jayhawks vs california-baptist-lancers
game-5: louisville-cardinals vs south-florida-bulls
game-6: michigan-state-spartans vs north-dakota-state-bison
game-7: ucla-bruins vs ucf-knights
game-8: uconn-huskies vs furman-paladins
game-9: arizona-wildcats vs long-island-university-sharks
game-10: villanova-wildcats vs utah-state-aggies
game-11: wisconsin-badgers vs high-point-panthers
game-12: arkansas-razorbacks vs hawaii-rainbow-warriors
game-13: byu-cougars vs texas-longhorns
game-14: gonzaga-bulldogs vs kennesaw-state-owls
game-15: miami-hurricanes vs missouri-tigers
game-16: purdue-boilermakers vs queens-nc-royals
game-17: florida-gators vs prairie-view-am-panthers
game-18: clemson-tigers vs iowa-hawkeyes
game-19: vanderbilt-commodores vs mcneese-cowboys
game-20: nebraska-cornhuskers vs troy-trojans
game-21: north-carolina-tar-heels vs vcu-rams
game-22: illinois-fighting-illini vs pennsylvania-quakers
game-23: saint-marys-gaels vs texas-am-aggies
game-24: houston-cougars vs idaho-vandals
game-25: michigan-wolverines vs umbc-retrievers
game-26: georgia-bulldogs vs saint-louis-billikens
game-27: texas-tech-red-raiders vs akron-zips
game-28: alabama-crimson-tide vs hofstra-pride
game-29: tennessee-volunteers vs smu-mustangs
game-30: virginia-cavaliers vs wright-state-raiders
game-31: kentucky-wildcats vs santa-clara-broncos
game-32: iowa-state-cyclones vs tennessee-state-tigers
## Tools Available
- **web_search**: Search the web for team stats, rankings, or matchup analysis.
- **web_fetch**: Fetch a web page for detailed scouting reports or bracket previews.
- **use_browser**: Browse JS-heavy pages. Slower — use only when web_fetch fails.
- **lookup_team**: Find a team by name to get their slug, seed, and region.
- **calculator**: Evaluate math expressions.
- **submit_round**: Submit your picks for this round. Each pick is {"gameId": "...", "winnerId": "team-slug"}.
## Your Process
1. Research teams using web_search and web_fetch — look for rankings, injuries, upsets, matchup advantages.
2. Pick winners for all 32 games in this round.
3. Include upsets where your research supports them (this is March Madness!).
4. Call submit_round with your picks array.
Do not end with a prose bracket summary. Your final response must be a submit_round tool call.
Today's date: 2026-03-18
assistantMessage 2
Mar 18, 2026, 10:16 PMReasoning
We need to pick winners from 32 games. Use research. Let's consider 2026 schedule. Maybe we look up rankings. We'll use web search queries for each. For many teams, likely seeding: 1 seeds mostly win. Upsets may come from 12 vs 5, 10 vs 7 or 11 vs 6 etc. We need realistic picks. Let's research each game.
We'll search "2026 NCAA tournament Round of 64 Duke vs Siena" etc. But better to simulate typical 2025-26 season.
Given the complexity, maybe use general knowledge: Most 1 seeding are strong. 12 vs 5: 5 vs 12, 5 likely above .500? But we can treat 5 vs 12: 5 likely stronger but some upsets possible. Let's research for each 5 seed vs 12.
We can fetch team pages or rankings. Use web_search for each "2026 NCAA men's basketball standings", but I can approximate.
Maybe a simpler approach: pick all higher seed wins except maybe some plausible upsets: 12 vs 5: st-johns-red-storm (5) vs northern-iowa-panthers (12). Conference Mid-Major vs Power Big 12? Northern Iowa might beat? Actually Northern Iowa is a mid-major often upset 5. So pick northern-iowa.
Also 8 vs 9: ohio-state vs tcu. 8 big power, 9 less but okay. Likely Ohio-state.
6 vs 11: louisville vs south-florida. Likely Louisville.
3 vs 14: michigan-state vs north dakota. Michigan St strong. Keep.
7 vs 10: ucla vs ucf. UCLA likely.
2 vs 15: uconn vs furman. Keep uconn.
In West 5 vs 12: Wisconsin badgers vs high-point. High-point could upset. Maybe high-point. 5 seed vs 12, high-point sometimes good. So pick high-point.
4 vs 13: Arkansas vs Hawaii. Likely Arkansas.
6 vs 11: byu vs texas longhorns. Texas top, so Texas.
8 vs 9: villanova vs Utah state. Villanova >.
3 vs 14: gonzaga vs kennesaw. Gonzaga.
7 vs 10: miami vs missouri. Miami likely.
2 vs 15: purdue vs queens. Purdue.
South 5 vs 12: Vanderbilt vs mcneese. Likely Vanderbilt.
4 vs 13: Nebraska vs troy. Nebraska.
6 vs 11: North Carolina vs VCU. North Carolina likely.
3 vs 14: Illinois vs Pennsylvania. Illinois.
7 vs 10: Saint Mary's vs Texas A&M. Saint Mary's.
2 vs 15: Houston vs Idaho. Houston.
Midwest 5 vs 12: Texas Tech vs Akron. Texas Tech.
4 vs 13: Alabama vs Hofstra. Alabama.
6 vs 11: Tennessee vs SMU. Tennessee.
7 vs 11? Wait: 7 vs 10, Kentucky vs Santa Clara. Kentucky.
3 vs 14: Virginia vs Wright. Virginia.
8 vs 10: Georgia vs Saint Louis. Georgia.
1 vs 16: Michigan vs umbc/howard. Michigan.
1 vs 16: Arizona vs lions. Arizona.
East 1 vs 16: Duke vs Siena. Duke.
1 vs 16 Western: ?
Also others: West 4 vs 13, etc.
Also 8 vs 9: Ohio State vs TCU.
We need to research for plausible upsets for each. Let's gather potential based on recent performance.
Given time, I'll use web_search for a few to confirm.
Tool Call: web_search
{
"query": "2026 NCAA tournament Duke vs Siena"
}Tool Result: web_search
{
"results": [
{
"url": "https://www.wral.com/sports/ncaa-tournament-duke-northcarolina-ncstate-selection-sunday-march-2026/",
"title": "Duke earns top seed in 2026 NCAA Tournament - WRAL",
"snippet": "Duke (32-2) will play Siena (23-11) at 2:50 p.m. ET Thursday in Greenville, South Carolina. The game airs on CBS. The teams are competing in the ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2026/03/16/what-to-know-about-siena-duke-basketball-2026-ncaa-tournament-march-madness/89139061007/",
"title": "What to know about Siena, Duke's first round opponent in 2026 ...",
"snippet": "Duke basketball opens up the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament against No. 16 Siena on Thursday, March 19. The Blue Devils (32-2), the top seed in the ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.si.com/college/duke/blue-devils-3-ways-can-beat-siena-round-64",
"title": "3 Ways Duke Can Beat Siena in Round of 64 - Sports Illustrated",
"snippet": "Duke will face 16-seed Siena in the Round of 64. ... The Duke Blue Devils are entering the 2026 NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed and the ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/duke-shrugs-off-health-questions-sets-sights-on-siena/",
"title": "Duke shrugs off health questions, sets sights on Siena - CBS Sports",
"snippet": "GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Duke enters the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a familiar goal and matching expectations as the No. 1 overall seed."
},
{
"url": "https://abc11.com/post/duke-siena-meet-first-round-ncaa-tournament/18728455/",
"title": "Duke and Siena meet in first round of NCAA Tournament - ABC11",
"snippet": "Siena Saints (23-11, 16-7 MAAC) vs. Duke Blue Devils (32-2, 20-1 ACC). Greenville, South Carolina; Thursday, 2:50 p.m. EDT."
}
]
}assistantMessage 3
Mar 18, 2026, 10:16 PMReasoning
Need to do for all 32 games. Likely many seeds will win except maybe some upsets like 8 vs 9 etc. We need to research. Might not have time to research all. We can still pick seeds but needs edge.
We should look at various pairings. Let's search each lower seed? For brevity maybe assume most seeds win but include plausible upsets like 8 over 9 in some regions, 5 over 12 etc.
But better to gather evidence. Use web_search for key matchups where lower seed may have advantage.
Let's search for "2015? Actually 2026." Search:
- Ohio State vs TCU: search.
Tool Call: web_search
{
"query": "2026 NCAA Ohio State vs TCU 8-9 March Madness"
}Tool Result: web_search
{
"results": [
{
"url": "https://www.foxsports.com/articles/cbk/ohio-state-plays-tcu-in-first-round-of-ncaa-tournament",
"title": "Ohio State plays TCU in first round of NCAA Tournament - FOX Sports",
"snippet": "TCU Horned Frogs (22-11, 12-8 Big 12) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (21-12, 13-9 Big Ten). Greenville, South Carolina; Thursday, 12:15 p.m. EDT."
},
{
"url": "https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article315063065.html",
"title": "TCU men learn seed, first-round opponent for NCAA Tournament",
"snippet": "The Horned Frogs (22-11) and Buckeyes (21-12) will play at 11:15 a.m. Thursday on CBS. Ohio State has been installed as an early 2.5-point ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/ohio-state-finally-dancing-again-paired-against-tcu-in-8-9-opener/",
"title": "Ohio State finally dancing again, paired against TCU in 8-9 opener",
"snippet": "TCU (22-11) dropped six of its first nine Big 12 games, before winning nine of 10 to clinch a tournament spot for the fourth time in five years."
},
{
"url": "https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/2026/03/15/tcu-ohio-state-odds-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-bracket-betting/88440472007/",
"title": "TCU vs Ohio State odds for March Madness NCAA Tournament ...",
"snippet": "The point total for the NCAA Tournament March Madness game between Ohio State and TCU is listed at 146.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook. National ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2026/03/ohio-state-basketball-is-back-in-march-madness-but-the-ncaa-tournament-draw-isnt-easy.html",
"title": "NCAA Tournament 2026: Ohio State gets No. 8 seed, plays TCU first",
"snippet": "The Buckeyes ended a four-year tournament drought, but they'll face TCU and potentially Cameron Boozer's Duke on the path to the Sweet 16."
}
]
}assistantMessage 4
Mar 18, 2026, 10:16 PMReasoning
We need to evaluate each matchup research. Must identify upsets where evidence of lower seed winning: 8 vs 9 likely balanced; 12 vs 5 etc.
We need to browse for each team? Perhaps rely on common knowledge: 2026 is future, not real. Should we assume typical upsets? Might approximate using standard seeds: high seed tends to win.
We could set picks: all higher seed. But requirement says edge—includes upsets where data supports.
As we can't actually know future, we might search for ranking data. Let's search others.
Tool Call: web_search
{
"query": "2026 NCAA tournament st johns vs northern iowa"
}Tool Result: web_search
{
"results": [
{
"url": "https://athlonsports.com/college-basketball/they-got-hosed-st-johns-red-storm-fans-furious-over-5-seed-ranking-in-ncaa-tournament",
"title": "'They Got Hosed': St. John's Red Storm Fans Furious Over 5 Seed ...",
"snippet": "John's will be the number five seed in the East Region and face the Northern Iowa Panthers on Friday. The Red Storm this season currently have ..."
},
{
"url": "https://unipanthers.com/news/2026/3/15/mens-basketball-uni-mens-basketball-matches-up-with-st-johns-in-opening-round-of-ncaa-tournament",
"title": "UNI men's basketball matches up with St. John's in opening round of ...",
"snippet": "Tipoff is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast on CBS. UNI's 2026 NCAA Tournament coverage is proudly being presented by Elite ..."
},
{
"url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-st-john-basketball-upset-021638293.html",
"title": "Why St. John's basketball is on upset alert in 2026 NCAA Tournament",
"snippet": "St. John's basketball is fueling energy on campus ahead of March Madness. But Northern Iowa is no slouch for these reasons."
},
{
"url": "https://www.amny.com/sports/st-johns-5-seed-no-favors-3-16-26/",
"title": "St. John's receives no favors with No. 5 seed at 2026 NCAA ... - amNY",
"snippet": "13-ranked Johnnies were slotted as a No. 5 seed, having to fly across the country to San Diego to face No. 12 Northern Iowa in the first round ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.kcci.com/article/northern-iowa-basketball-ncaa-tournament-bracket-tv-channel-stream-st-johns-tickets/70759711",
"title": "What to know about UNI basketball vs. St. John's in the NCAA ...",
"snippet": "Northern Iowa vs. St. John's: What to know about UNI's first-round NCAA Tournament game · How to watch and stream UNI vs. St. · Tickets for St."
}
]
}assistantMessage 5
Mar 18, 2026, 10:16 PMReasoning
We need picks for all 32 games. We should analyze teams based on rankings, injuries, stats. I will need to research each matchup. But due time, we will rely on general knowledge: seeds and typical trends; but for edge we plug in some upsets where evidence supports.
We must browse and research many teams; but maybe we can use 2026 selections.
Let's gather information for each team: use web_fetch or search for each highseed vs low.
But maybe we can start with general decisions.
Game list:
East:
1: Duke 1 vs Siena 16 => Duke win.
2: Ohio State 8 vs TCU 9 => close. Need research. TCU 9, Ohio State 8. Look at TCU performance, maybe TCU has momentum. Let's search.
Tool Call: web_search
{
"query": "2026 TCU vs Ohio State March Madness odds 8-9"
}Tool Result: web_search
{
"results": [
{
"url": "https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/2026/03/17/tcu-vs-ohio-state-ncaa-tournament-odds-prediction-in-march-madness-brackets/89199184007/",
"title": "TCU vs. Ohio State NCAA Tournament odds, prediction in March ...",
"snippet": "NCAA Tournament odds for TCU vs. Ohio State March Madness first-round game, with point spread, moneyline, over/under betting."
},
{
"url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2026-march-madness-odds-predictions-203211873.html",
"title": "2026 March Madness odds and predictions - Yahoo Sports",
"snippet": "TCU is 9-3 ATS and 6-6 on the ML as an underdog this season, while Ohio State is 7-10-1 ATS and 16-2 on the ML as a favorite. This is a small ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket/",
"title": "2026 March Madness picks: Predictions for every first-round game in ...",
"snippet": "Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU. Ohio State has a far better backcourt. Bruce Thornton and Juni Mobley are way more talented than Jayden Pierre and ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/48217692/espn-2026-ncaa-tournament-men-bracket-game-odds",
"title": "Odds, spreads and totals for every game of the first round - ESPN",
"snippet": "Women's March Madness 2026 bracket: First look at all 68 teams. 7h ... Ohio State Buckeyes -142. Total: 146.5. TCU: 22-11, 11-7 in Big 12 ..."
},
{
"url": "https://www.landgrantholyland.com/ohio-state-mens-basketball/114324/ncaa-tournament-opening-odds-no-8-ohio-state-vs-no-9-tcu",
"title": "NCAA Tournament Opening Odds: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU",
"snippet": "Opening Odds: Ohio State -2.5. Ohio State finished the season at 21-12, with a 12-8 mark in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes dropped some ..."
}
]
}assistantMessage 6
Mar 18, 2026, 10:16 PMReasoning
Need many teams; loop. Might use pattern of analysts expect upsets: teams like 12/13 seeds with strong seasons e.g., Virginia 3 seed but okay. But we need to choose in each game. We should browse each to see if upsets likely. Probably maybe some "12/13 or 10/7" worthy. Might use some upsets: 12 Northern Iowa vs 5 St John's maybe okay; but perhaps 12 could upset? Maybe pick stronger.
Let's sample: With our time, we may just follow seeds. But we need edge. Maybe some upsets like 10 vs 7: UCLA vs UCF. UCLA is 7; UCF is 10; UCF maybe okay? Might go for UCLA.
Game 5: Louisville 6 vs Fish? Actually Louisville 6 vs South Florida 11. Should pick Louisville.
Game 6: Michigan State 3 vs ND 14; pick Michigan State.
Game 7: UCLA vs UCF; pick UCLA.
Game 8: UConn 2 vs Furman 15; pick UConn.
Game 9: Arizona 1 vs L.I.S. 16; pick Arizona.
Game 10: Villanova 8 vs Utah 9; pick Villanova.
Game 11: Wisconsin 5 vs Highpoint 12; pick Wisconsin.
Game 12: Arkansas 4 vs Hawaii 13; maybe Arkansas.
Game 13: BYU 6 vs TEXAS Long 11 vs NC State 11? Actually it's 6 BYU vs 11 Texas-L; pick BYU.
Game 14: Gonzaga 3 vs Kennesaw 14; pick Gonzaga.
Game 15: Miami 7 vs Missouri 10; pick Miami.
Game 16: Purdue 2 vs Queens 15; pick Purdue.
Game 17: Florida 1 vs Prairie View or Lehigh 16; pick Florida.
Game 18: Clemson 8 vs Iowa 9; pick Clemson maybe.
Game 19: Vanderbilt 5 vs McNeese 12; pick Vanderbilt.
Game 20: Nebraska 4 vs Troy 13; pick Nebraska.
Game 21: North Carolina 6 vs VCU 11; pick NC.
Game 22: Illinois 3 vs Pennsylvania 14; pick Illinois.
Game 23: St Mary's 7 vs Texas A&M 10; pick St Mary's.
Game 24: Houston 2 vs Idaho 15; pick Houston.
Game 25: Michigan 1 vs UMBC/Howard 16; pick Michigan.
Game 26: Georgia 8 vs SLU 9; pick Georgia.
Game 27: Texas Tech 5 vs Akron 12; pick Texas Tech.
Game 28: Alabama 4 vs Hofstra 13; pick Alabama.
Game 29: Tennessee 6 vs SMU 11; pick Tennessee.
Game 30: Virginia 3 vs Wright 14; pick Virginia.
Game 31: Kentucky 7 vs Santa Clara 10; pick Kentucky.
Game 32: Iowa State 2 vs Tennessee State 15; pick Iowa State.
But we might add some underdog picks: maybe 8 Scho? Actually we must decide. Could pick 12s or 13s if strong: Let's research a few: St John's vs Northern Iowa: Northern Iowa strong maybe? Let's look quick.{"query":"Northern Iowa 2025-26 basketball record and tournament performance"}
Tokens
- Input
- 19294
- Output
- 2056
- Reasoning
- 0