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How To Find The Perfect Formula To Win Your Bracket

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Time is running out to fill out those March Madness brackets. The NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament starts Thursday with a full slate of games.

Some pick by mascots, jersey colors or even vacation spots, but it's possible to have a respectable bracket without following college basketball.

Brian Lynch played basketball at DeLaSalle High School, then at the University of St. Thomas.

"I've been around basketball my whole life," Lynch said. "It's just a great sport, it teaches teamwork, it teaches a lot of great skills."

Lynch also has nine years of coaching experience, which gives him a good understanding of the game and competition. Lynch said that while it's boring, picking based on seeds isn't such a bad idea.

"It doesn't really give you a lot of bragging rights by picking the top teams, but it gives you a good chance to win," Lynch said.

Lynch said the seeds are only half the story.

"Wichita State is always good," Lynch said. "They're a 7-seed, which I think might be a little low for them."

If you're on the fence, check out the team's conference. Lynch said the tougher competition this year has been in the ACC and Big 12.

Then there are the upsets, which can be a guessing game.

"Always historically, there's been a 12 seed that beats a 5 seed," Lynch said. "That's always a good one to go for. When I do my upsets I look at style of play and/or pick it with my heart."

That's why Lynch said sometimes it's about cheering for a few boys from home.

"My heart one would be Harvard over North Carolina," Lynch said. "It would be a tough road for them, but they have two Minnesota boys on that team."

As for Lynch's Final Four? He has Arizona, Virginia, Duke and Kentucky.

"I think it'll be Kentucky," Lynch said. "I would really like to pick someone other than them, but they are just too good top to bottom in their team."

Here's how to sign up for the WCCO Bracket Challenge.

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