UW professor talks NCAA bracket odds

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV)-- Every year, millions of Americans fill out NCAA brackets, and make picks for who they think will be crowned champion.

Laura Albert-McLay is a professor at the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She said even the most thought out bracket may not be a winning one.

"Doing your research and having a good process doesn't necessarily guarantee a good outcome." said Albert-McLay.

The odds of filling out the perfect bracket are 1 in 9.2 quintillion (one quintillion has 18 zeros).

But there are some analytical ways to maximize your odds.

"A simple yet powerful tip is to look at what the seeds really are," Albert-McLay said. "The seeds really matter, and they determine a teams path to the final four."