For each of his eight years as president of the United States, Barack Obama made a tradition of filling out his NCAA Tournament bracket for the country to see. Newly inaugurated president Donald Trump declined to continue a custom that bridged the gap between sports and politics.
Barack Obama’s 2017 March Madness bracket has UNC winning. Here’s how his past picks turned out
The former president is shooting one-of-eight when choosing NCAA Tournament champions. This is his ninth attempt.
But even though he exited office in January, Obama has decided to continue filling out his Tournament brackets.
Obama selected the North Carolina Tar Heels to emerge victorious over the Duke Blue Devils in the championship game.
Normally conservative with his bracket selections, the former president has No. 1 seed Gonzaga losing to Notre Dame in the Sweet 16. It is his third straight year tabbing the Fighting Irish to reach the Elite 8.
Obama also has SMU getting knocked off by Baylor in the Round of 34. SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell has SMU reaching the Sweet 16 in his predictions.
The former president also filled out a Women’s Tournament bracket, tabbing UConn to win the championship game over Notre Dame.
Obama hasn’t had the best track record in picking NCAA Tournament champions
The odds are slim-to-none when it comes to filling out a perfect bracket, and while being president comes with perks, it doesn’t increase those odds one bit. This year marks the third time since 2009 Obama has chosen UNC to win it all.
They’ve come out victorious just once.
2009
Obama: UNC
Winner: UNC
2010
Obama: Kansas
Winner: Duke
2011
Obama: Kansas
Winner: UConn
2012
Obama: UNC
Winner: Kentucky
2013
Obama: Indiana
Winner: Louisville
2014
Obama: Michigan State
Winner: UConn
2015
Obama: Kentucky
Winner: Duke
2016
Obama: Kansas
Winner: Villanova
Maybe he’ll get it right this time around.
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