Predicting winners is the goal of all bracket players. Net Score players must also navigate the snake draft. Most players have a wish list of teams they’d like to draft. Picking first in the draft guarantees at least one favorite. Subsequent choices are from a diminished field. Picking first also means picking last in the next round. Here’s a list of likely seed numbers available to each player in a game with eight players.
First #1 #4 #5 #8 #9 #12 #13 #16
Second #1 #4 #5 #8 #9 #12 #13 #16
Third #1 #4 #5 #8 #9 #12 #13 #16
Fourth #1 #4 #5 #8 #9 #12 #13 #16
Fifth #2 #3 #6 #7 #10 #11 #14 #15
Sixth #2 #3 #6 #7 #10 #11 #14 #15
Seventh #2 #3 #6 #7 #10 #11 #14 #15
Eighth #2 #3 #6 #7 #10 #11 #14 #15
This chart shows what happens if each player chooses the best seed available in each round. This rarely happens in most drafts. Players often choose a #2 seed ahead of the last available #1 seed. Later rounds get even more jumbled. The scoring system employed in Net Score bracket game makes this somewhat likely. The 2022 South regional shows an example of a #2 performing better than a #1.
Outperformance at any seed number is rewarded. The uncertainty in all this is that there is no guarantee who your teams will face after the first round. #2 Villanova outperformed in 2022. They made it to the final four. They turned a positive score but it wasn’t as high as it might have been. After facing #7 Ohio State in the second round they faced #11 Michigan. Because of this they earned less points in round three than they did in round 2. Instead of facing a #1 in the elite 8, they faced #5 Houston.
Here’s a run down…
| #2 VILLANOVA 2022 | -22 |
| beat #15 Delaware | +3 |
| beat #7 Ohio St. | +13 |
| beat #11 Michigan | +9 |
| beat #5 Houston | +17 |
| Lost to #1 Kansas | 0 |
| final score | +20 |
The #2 seed that loses in the final four has a maximum final score of +39. This number is based on the “best possible opponent” scenario. Net Score awards points based on the level of competition (seed number).
#2 Duke 2022 lost in the final four and had a final score of +33.
#2 Auburn 2022 won one game and had a final score of -19.
The score sheets from the game make it easy to follow your teams thru every round.
A common play is to choose a #12 seed even when a #9 is available. A #12 seed that wins one game produces more points than a #9 that wins one game. Chances of either of the teams winning a second game are unlikely. The NCAA bracket most often pairs a #9 against a #1 in round two. A #12 will likely face a #4 in the second round. The 2022 West regional is a good example. Here’s a breakdown of the final score for each team.
| #9 Memphis 2022 | -11 | #12 New Mexico St. 2022 | -8 |
| beat #8 Boise St. | +12 | beat #5 UConn | +17 |
| loses to Gonzaga | 0 | loses to Arkansas | 0 |
| final score | +1 | final score | +9 |
The above outcome reveals why teams are often drafted “out of sequence”. The scoring system handicaps teams based on seed number. #9 seeds always start the tournament at -11. All the starting scores are listed in a table included in the game. Teams #9-#16 turn a positive final score with just one victory. All others require multiple victories to turn positive. #1 seeds typically require 3 victories to turn positive and #5 seeds often turn positive after two victories. The game board & score sheets are visual aids that make the game easy to understand.
Drafting the tournament champion is the best way to win Net Score but it’s not a guarantee. Net Score is a points game. Upsets happen and St. Peter’s, UNC and Miami changed the odds greatly in 2022. There will be upsets in 2023. I guarantee it.
These examples show the need to employ some strategy while drafting AND be prepared for some upsets.
Good Luck Players!