ESPN Tournament Challenge

Tournament Challenge by ESPN lets users create brackets for the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament. After registering with the app, users must name and complete their bracket using the options under the “My Bracket” menu. When creating their bracket, users can tap the “i” button for each game to access information about both teams and the matchup. When ready, users must tap the team they think is going to win, and the app will automatically save their selections. When projecting the winner of the final game, users will have to make a selection and predict the game’s score. Once complete, users can view their bracket under the “My Bracket” menu, and the app shows them each game and indicates whether or not they correctly predicted the winner. Users can also play against other, specific users by clicking the “Join Group” option under the “My Bracket” menu and then creating a group for other users to join or joining a pre-existing group. As the tournament progresses, users can view the points they earned, their winning percentage, and the possible point remaining. Users can also tap a game that was played to access the box score. From the app’s main screen, users can also track celebrities’ brackets, news about the tournament, and the leaderboards.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can start a group and let their students create brackets and join their group. In addition, after students complete their bracket, they can be required to compose a rationale that justifies their “Final Four” selections. Students will have to identify and explain the stats that influenced them in making their “Final Four” selections.
2. After multiple games are played, teachers can assign students a game to analyze. As part of their analysis, students will have to view the box score and identify the three most important stats that impacted the outcome of the game. Students will then have to compose a paragraph that explains how those stats impacted the game.
3. At the conclusion of the tournament, teachers can have students review all the games. Next, students will have to identify the top 3, 5, or 7 most exciting games. Finally, students will have to create a presentation that justifies why the games they selected were so exciting.
4. After the tournament is completed, students can review the bracket and select the MVP and/or first tournament team. Students will have to analyze the different players’ stats and performances throughout the tournament. Students will then use an Art Production app to produce trading cards for the MVP and/or first tournament team. On the cards, students can include players’ stats, biography, and summaries of their playing style.