Tyrese Haliburton urges March Madness fans to submit one bracket: 'Stand on it'

The 2025 NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments begin with first-round games on Thursday, March 20.[1]

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, a former Iowa State guard and member of the gold-medal-winning U.S. men's basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, posted on X ahead of the tournaments: "Make one bracket and stand on it."[2][1]

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Haliburton criticised fans entering multiple brackets, calling it "lame" and questioning how many entries are allowed. He partnered with Reese's for its Bracket Busting Campaign, which encourages fans to share busted brackets on social media using #ForAReesesSweeps for chances to win free candy and tickets to the men's or women's Final Four and championship games.[1]

Haliburton said fans should commit to one choice. He acknowledged one acceptable approach: one bracket picking an alma mater to win unrealistically and another logical one. He selected Iowa State, his alma mater from the 2019-20 season, to win the men's national championship.[1]

The Pacers All-Star, who averaged 20.7 points and 10.9 assists per game in the 2023-24 NBA season, expressed confidence in Iowa State due to its play in the Big 12 Conference and performance on neutral courts.[1][3]

Haliburton participated in a Bracket Summit with New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart and analysts Richard Jefferson and Andraya Carter, sharing picks for both tournaments.[1]

Sources

1. Fox News Digital
   Tyrese Haliburton has simple March Madness bracket advice: 'Make one bracket and stand on it'
   March 19, 2024
   https://www.foxnews.com/sports/tyrese-haliburton-has-simple-march-madness-bracket-advice-make-one-bracket-stand-it
2. NCAA.com
   2025 NCAA DI men's basketball tournament dates, locations announced
   November 5, 2024
   https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-11-05/2025-ncaa-di-mens-basketball-tournament-dates-locations-announced
3. Basketball-Reference.com
   Tyrese Haliburton Stats
   Accessed March 2025
   https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/halibty01.html