The average total score for the Men’s National Championship game over the last 25 years is 141 points. For the Women’s tournament, the average is 136 points. For 2026, a “safe” tiebreaker range for the men’s final is 135–145 total points, depending on your predicted matchup.
March Madness Tiebreaker Guide: Historical Context (The Data)
To win your pool, you shouldn’t just guess. Here is how the final scores have actually looked in recent history when trying to determine what you’re going to put for the tiebreaker input on your Bracket.
Recent Men’s Championship Final Scores:
| Year | Championship Matchup | Final Score | Total Points |
| 2025 | Florida vs. Houston | 65-63 | 128 |
| 2024 | UConn vs. Purdue | 75-60 | 135 |
| 2023 | UConn vs. San Diego State | 76-59 | 135 |
| 2022 | Kansas vs. North Carolina | 72-69 | 141 |
| 2021 | Baylor vs. Gonzaga | 86-70 | 156 |
| 2019 | Virginia vs. Texas Tech | 85-77 (OT) | 162 |
| 2018 | Villanova vs. Michigan | 79-62 | 141 |
| 2017 | North Carolina vs. Gonzaga | 71-65 | 136 |
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How to Pick Your 2026 Score
Don’t just use the average; tailor your score to the teams you have in the final.
- Strategy 1: The “High-Octane” Matchup (150+ Points) If you have offensive powerhouses like Alabama, Duke, or Illinois in your final, go higher. These teams play at a fast pace and prioritize scoring over-grinding defense.
- Strategy 2: The “Defensive Slog” (Under 130 Points) If your bracket features defensive-minded teams like Houston or Tennessee, take the under. Championship games are often more tense and lower-scoring than regular-season games.
- Strategy 3: The “Overtime” Insurance If you think the game will be a toss-up, add 10–15 points to your prediction to account for a potential overtime period.
Ready to lock it in?
March Madness Tiebreaker FAQ
- Q: Is the tiebreaker “closest to the score” or “closest without going over”?
- A: In almost all pools (including CBS and ESPN), the winner is whoever is closest to the total score, regardless of whether they are over or under.
- Q: What was the lowest-scoring championship game ever?
- A: The lowest in the modern era was UConn vs. Butler in 2011, which totaled only 94 points (53-41).
- Q: What happens if the tiebreaker is also a tie?
- A: Most pool managers will then use a “closest to the winner’s score” or a random drawing to determine the final winner.
