How to win March Madness Survivor Pool: Best first-round picks in women's bracket
Formulating a plan for USA TODAY Sports' March Madness Survivor Pool can be a complicated task.
Here's how it works: Players make a small number of picks for each round of the NCAA Tournament but can't select the same team twice. So if you like a team's chances to reach the Final Four, it wouldn't be prudent to pick them in the first round.
In deciding on your three first-round picks, the prevailing question is a difficult one: Which teams do I like that I don't necessarily believe in?
Deciding on first-round picks is an arduous task. It is important to take into account seed positioning and game matchups. For example, a team with a favorable first-round matchup that has the potential of facing a higher seed in one of the next few rounds could be a smart pick. Why? Because an unfavorable future matchup would result in that team being less tempting to select again.
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Here are five intriguing picks for first-round consideration in the women's tournament, taking into account matchups and bracket positioning.
No. 3 Duke over No. 14 Iona
How much do you believe in Iowa's Caitlin Clark? If you are budgeting for the Hawkeyes to win the Seattle 4 region, Duke is a safe pick to advance past 14th-seeded Iona in the first round. Of course, this only works if you think Iowa (or someone else) can take down the Blue Devils in a head-to-head matchup.
No. 6 Colorado over No. 11 Middle Tennessee
Staying in the Seattle 4 region, Colorado has the same Caitlin Clark problem as Duke. However, unlike the Blue Devils, it might have to contend with Duke as well. The Buffaloes look good in this first-round bout, but the notion of overcoming both Duke and Iowa is a tall task. A good one-and-done candidate.
No. 3 Ohio State over No. 14 James Madison
The Buckeyes are 6-0 all-time against the Dukes but contend with Connecticut and Virginia Tech in their Seattle 3 region. The pick is a little risky if Ohio State goes on a big run, but it could be a safe selection if you're banking on either the Huskies or Hokies to emerge from the region.
No. 8 USC over No. 9 South Dakota State
For obvious reasons, banking on an 8/9 game going your way is a dangerous way to live. But this is a Power 5 school going up against a much smaller program — and the winner has a likely date with top-seeded Virginia Tech.
No. 5 Oklahoma over No. 12 Portland
It's a game favored heavily in the Sooners' favor. Oh, and No. 4 UCLA (second round) and No. 1 South Carolina (Sweet 16) will be waiting for them.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness Survivor Pool: Top women's picks in NCAA first round
