Granted, I have never won my March Madness office bracket, but that doesn't mean I don't know how the game is played. In some ways, there is no rhyme nor reason to filling out a bracket. Upsets will happen this weekend...that's just a fact. Guessing which upset will happen...requires a mixture of genius and flat-out luck.

And since I have neither, I have never brought home the gold during March Madness.

Nevertheless, here are some tips to help you at least be competitive in your office bracket. Please use them at your own risk.

1) Don't fill out your bracket while consuming alchohol

Don't laugh...this is a real challenge for many people. March Madness and beer go hand in hand and have for years. You must resist temptation. Try to carve out some quiet time and barricade yourself in an office cubicle or your attic. That way, you're not influenced by the "experts" on ESPN or your screaming friends, urging you which sleepers to select. Solitude breeds bracket bliss.

2) The 8 vs. 9 Matchups Aren't Considered "Upset" Territory

Every year, it never fails...a friend will show me his bracket and boast that he has a 9-seed toppling an 8-seed. Big deal. It's a wash. That's almost an even matchup. But don't ignore these particular showdowns...as these teams tend to get lost in the shuffle. Bracket nerds tend to focus on the lower seeds for cinderellas...the 12th, 13th, 14th seeds, etc. When the dust settles, it's the middle seeds that usually cause the most noise in the tourney. An 8-seed isn't as great a story as a 14th-seed, but still Cinderella material.

3) The Team With the Longest School Name Is Bound For Glory

You know what I mean....the Eastern Valley County Middle Idaho State types. It never fails. A team you can't pronounce will shock someone in round one. It never seems to be a name that just rolls off your tongue.

4) 12's Love To Upset 5's

Historically (and I could be wrong), this is a matchup that seems primed for an upset every year. Producer Josh Harvey has pulled up a stat: In the last nine years, 12-seeds have gone 13-27. That's pretty decent, for a team expected to bow out in round one. Keep an eye on those 12 vs. 5 matchups.

5) Put Down The Buffalo Wings

During one March Madness weekend a coupla years back, I actually gained 5 pounds. The time dissapears and you can eat and eat without realizing it. If you care about your health, put down the wings! This may not help you win your bracket, but it might help you survive to win it the following year.

6) Win With Class

Don't be the office jerk who runs around screaming, holding up his/her bracket. If you win, accept your victory with class. No one wants to see you celebrate. Enjoy your victory in silence and relish the fact that your office co-workers now hate you even more.

Good luck to all....and happy bracket filling!

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