- Start early. Use data from previous years to "train" your model and make sure its working bug-free.

- ESPN's bracketology can be helpful in letting you know how the field is shaping up.

- Past year's data and statistics can be collected for free directly from the NCAA.

- Think about user-friendliness as you design your program. Remember that you are going to have to submit a program that we can run, so making it idiot-proof is to everyone's advantage.