What's in a Bracketology?

How do you fill out your bracket?

• Some people do heavy research. 
• Some people work solely on gut. 
• Some have mathematical formulas. 
• Some people base it on the fierceness of the mascot. 
• Some literally flip a coin. 

It's intriguing to see all the different ways people decide to find that national champion. I also would like to know, with the number of brackets that are filled out each year, and the exponential number of combinations that can be made, how many complete strangers have come up with the exact same bracket. And even more rare, the complete same exactly right bracket.

I personally use some different ways to come up with my bracket. Last year, I spread my picks around. I had probably about 8 different brackets floating around. This year, I'm taking it seriously. There will be one master bracket. I will not waver in my picks. I will sink or swim with the teams I'd say my picks are usually about 60% gut-feeling about a team regardless of match-up, 30% research, and 20% eyeball test while looking at the bracket. I know that's 110%. I factor in that I lose about 10% of quality due to my lack of ability to see all the teams involved play in actual games (I'm looking at you Norfolk and Lehigh).

So, I'm filling out my bracket now. I only won't tell you because I don't know, not because I don't want you to see. That's the other thing I find intriguing. No matter how much you like or dislike a team's chances, you'll never change your bracket because of what someone else has filled in. Off to bracket I go. Enjoy the madness everyone! We'll check back in later in the week, and I'll let you know how the Master Bracket is doing.

Today's Twitter bio profile is: @breakingbaum

That's another pal from high school, Adam Baum. He is now a contributor for The Enquirer. You can usually catch him covering high school sports. Baum himself was a member of the football team, and one of only 2 guys our sophomore year to be pulled up to the varsity team, eventually earning a state championship ring. He went on to be a captain our senior year. Off the football field, it seemed Adam had a hand in everything. From organizing a pep rally, to participating in a blood drive, and everything in between, Adam was there. He rarely excluded anyone, and almost always has a smile on his face.

Adam is also a big Walking Dead fan. He's obviously big into sports, especially statistical oddities like me. He even slides some political commentary in there. And everything he has to say always seems to have an air of comedy about it. Even when talking about himself. Give him a follow for all your entertaining sports and TV needed.