It's March Madness time! If you aren't a huge basketball fan, have no fear. I've partnered with Allstate to share tips for filling out your bracket, throwing a basketball themed bash and more!
I was a student at the University of Florida and lived in Gainesville when the Gators won the NCAA basketball title in 2006 and 2008 and it was MAYHEM! Fans were celebrating in the streets downtown and it was so exciting to be a part of it. Those years really formed a foundation for loving NCAA sports and March Madness, which is good because my husband is a huge fan! Even if I don't really follow along with the season I can still "fake it 'til I make it" during the tournament thanks to a few helpful tricks that I'm sharing with you in this Girl's Guide to March Madness.
The Girl's Guide to March Madness
The madness is about to set in, so first things first. You've got to fill out your bracket. Your bracket is your prediction about who will win each match-up and eventually win the championship. Last year, out of the 40 million people who filled out a tournament bracket, not a single one was perfect! So, you can see how picking a winning bracket can be difficult, especially if you aren't really familiar with the teams.
If you're like me, you probably make predictions based on mascots or team colors (because orange and blue is way more fashionable than purple and yellow!). Thankfully there's a more statistic-based approach you can take to help build your bracket. I'm turning to the Allstate Bracket Predictor to help me crack the tournament code. With this tool, you can select any two teams in the tournament and analyze the probability of a victory in a head-to-head matchup. When my bracket turns out better than my hubby's I know it's going to be mayhem!
Print your official March Madness NCAA Tournament Bracket HERE, then head over to the Allstate Bracket Predictor go get your analysis on!
Next up, March Madness party planning!
Fun decor is a must for a March Madness viewing party. These ideas are creative and are sure to delight your guests.
I adore this Large Printable Bracket from Love The Day. You'll be able to keep track of all of the match-ups with this big printable bracket. Not only is it cool decor, it's functional too! Round out the look with the matching Basketball Party Printable Pack for a complete look.
Michelle's Party Plan-It has some incredible basketball party decor ideas too! I love the basket ball hoop decoration and the the TEAM letters are perfect so you don't have to commit to any one team and you can reuse them again and again.
Photo booths are all the rage, so this Nothin' But Net Basketball Photo Booth Props Kit will be a hit at your party.
Now let's talk about March Madness snacks and food ideas!
Check out this basketball pizza dip from I Heart Arts N Crafts. It sounds like a winner to me!
Simply Stacie's Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders are perfectly festive and portable for mingling.
These Nutter Butter Referees from The Girl Who Ate Everything are pretty much the cutest ever!
The Pick and Roll Peanut Butter Dip from Julie's Eats and Treats looks amazing!
For a lighter snack option, I love what did Revel and Glitter did with these cutie mandarin oranges!
I hope this girl's guide to the March Madness has been helpful!
Be sure to head over to Allstate Bracket Predictor to start working on your bracket. Even after the first round of tips-offs the site will continue to provide team updates so keep checking in throughout the tournament.
This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.
mami2jcn says
The mandarin oranges are such a great idea!
Amber Ludwig says
Bahaha!! I absolutely go by which team's name I like more 😉 Lmao!! That may be a little typical female of me but one year it did pay off!! Of course I always push the badgers through because they are my home team!!
Tara Boyer says
The oranges are awesome
Mia says
Some great ideas and recipes to have a fun time for all. The printable bracket makes it easier to follow.
Crystal Young says
All the recipes are a good idea.Im going to make some things.
Deborah D says
The buffalo chicken sliders look really yummy! I can't wait to make them.
Brigitte adams says
LOVE
Christina McKee says
The Mason jars are a cute idea
Sharon Dunn says
Great ideas ❤️❤️
Dana Rodriguez says
These are great ideas. I love the Nutter Butter Referees!
Jessica Linsey says
I always pick my home team and go by names so thanks for the Allstate Bracket link.
Jenn k. says
Such cute ideas! ??
Cathy French says
We always fill out brackets knowing full well we'll never win but its fun. Great party ideas.
Ariana Gomez says
I like the ideas for a boy party
Natalie says
I want to make those nutter butter referees!
Twilla Stockon says
Not a basketball fan but love new snack ideas for my guys.
Marie Lowther says
SO many cute ideas! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Edye says
All great ideas! I cannot pick a favorite 🙂
Jessica Lodge says
I'm going to honest I'm not into basketball but I like anything that gathers friends and family together. This looks like fun and I love all of the food 🙂
julia m says
love that pizza dip recipe
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
I don't know much about March Madness or basketball in general. That is my hubby's thing. I do love to decorate though!! So many cute ideas... I love the mandarin oranges!
Chantelle Webber says
Im not a basketball fan but I an a snack fan
sandra says
I wish I had seen that bracket predictor earlier!
Autumn D says
The Buffalo Chicken looks like something I can do!
Judy Sparks says
Love the slow cooker buffalo sliders recipe. Thanks
Jerry Marquardt says
Your special March Madness recipes all look especially yummy I will be making this over the coming weekend, it looks so delicious.
Pamela Smith says
What cute ideals to use for a party....loved all the awesome pictures too!
Amy Nelson says
Now this is more my style!