Get out the brackets! With the opening round fast approaching - now is the time to get your strategy down. I have to say – I’ve tried several methods and each seems to be as effective as the other.

There’s the sports fanatic method – you’ve spent the season carefully studying each team and know them inside and out. In fact, you’re convinced you know who the Final Four will be right now.

You can go with picking by the team names that appeal most to your tastes. Do you like the Trojans? How about the Volunteers? Why not go for the Bruins or the Huskies?

If you get stuck, how about choosing by the team colors? For example, if you like light/sky blue, pick North Carolina. On the other hand, if red is your color, then Stanford it is!

If these don’t work for you, go regional. If you live in Florida, pick the teams from your state to go all the way first. When you run out of those, start with Georgia and then spread out in proximity closest to you first.

If none of that works go by the coaches, pros, and retired superstars that you admire. Are you a Magic Johnson fan? Make your pick Michigan State University to win. If you are a Shaquille O’Neal fan, root for LSU.

When all else fails, pick at random. You can also use a combination of all steps here to help you choose your brackets! You can also wait to see who everyone else is picking – every broadcaster and sports show will have plenty to say.

Whatever you pick – enjoy the madness! The person who wins the office pool is going to be the one that cares the least anyways!