We get it. You’ve spent the past 48 weekends tailgating … or thinking about how to improve your tailgating next season.

You woke up Sunday and realized you haven’t watched a single second of college basketball this season. But that didn’t stop you from entering the office pool.

No worries. Here are 10 helpful hints you can use to avoid busting your NCAA Tournament bracket.

1. Under no circumstances should you pick all four No. 1 seeds to reach San Antonio

It’s happened exactly once — in 2008.

In the 9 years since, just 12 No. 1 seeds have reached the Final Four — out of 36 potential spots. Six times, just one No. 1 seed reached the Final Four.

2. Do not pick a team with 30 victories to win the NCAA Tournament

Just twice since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985 has a team that entered the tournament with 30 victories actually won the thing.

Kentucky did it in 2012 and Kansas did it in 2008.

Several outstanding teams entered the tourney with 30 wins but were knocked out, most notably and painfully, the 38-0 Kentucky team that lost to Wisconsin in the 2015 Final Four.

The year before, Wichita State entered 34-0 and lost in the second round.

Will Villanova (30-4) and Virginia (31-2) fall victim to this bracket-busting rule this year?

3. Do pick a No. 1 seed to win it all

Eight of the past 11 NCAA Tournament champions were No. 1 seeds, including last year’s champion, North Carolina.

History says one of this year’s No. 1 seeds will continue the trend.

Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

4. Do not pick Cinderella to win it all

Granted, you’d have I-told-you-so bragging rights forever, but the last legitimately mid-major to win the NCAA Tournament was UTEP in 1966.

The blue bloods own the final Monday night of the college basketball season.

5. Do pick Cinderella to get to the Final Four

As the game has gotten younger, it’s given the more veteran mid-majors a very real chance to reach the Final Four.

Butler (twice) and Gonzaga weren’t typical mid-major programs, but they were in mid-major conferences when they reached the championship game in 2010, 2011 and 2017, respectively.

Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

George Mason (2006), Memphis (2008), VCU (2011), Wichita State (2013) also made the Final Four.

Gonzaga graduated from Cinderella status, and viewing Cincinnati and Xavier as an underdog has been a stretch for years, but keep an eye on Nevada.

6. Do not pick a No. 16 seed to upset a No. 1 seed

Again, you’d have bragging rights, but it’s never happened. It’s never going to happen, and it’s the absolute fastest way to blow up your bracket.

No. 16 seeds are a convincing 0-132 against No. 1 seeds.

7. Pick a No. 15 seed at your own peril

The opening round of the NCAA Tournament is all about the upsets.

And there have been some doozies. Eight times, a No. 15 seed has knocked off a No. 2 seed. They’re all shocking, but 2012 was on a whole ‘nother level of crazy.

On the same afternoon, No. 15 Lehigh toppled No. 2 Duke and No. 15 Norfolk State took out No. 2 Missouri to help clear the path for Kentucky to win it all.

Duke and Kentucky were in the South Regional and slated to meet in the Elite 8. Missouri was a potential Final Four opponent.

No. 12 seeds? Sure, they’re always a trendy/cliche pick during the first weekend. No. 12 seeds have pulled off 20 upsets in the past 10 tournaments. Just remember, they almost never win the second game to get to the Sweet 16.

8. Trust the Big Ten at your own peril

Two Big Ten teams made the Final Four in 2015. Neither left town with the title.

You have to go all the way back to 2000 to find the last NCAA champ from the Big Ten: Michigan State.

The B1G has been to six title games since, losing each time.

Could this year be different? It’s possible. Michigan State and Purdue can play with anybody — heck, the Boilers’ 5 losses are by a combined 15 points — but …

9. Stay away from Kansas

It’s always a tempting pick. The Jayhawks own the Big 12.

They’ve been a No. 1 seed 13 times — only North Carolina has been honored more.

Yet … they’ve made the Final Four just once since winning the 2008 national title and have fallen victim to some of the most surprising early exits since.

To wit:

  • In 2010: Seeded No. 1, lost to No. 9 Northern Iowa in second round
  • In 2011: Seeded No. 1, lost in Elite 8 to No. 11 VCU
  • In 2014: Seeded No. 2, lost second game to No. 10 Stanford
  • In 2015: Seeded No. 2, lost second game to No. 7 Wichita State

10. What shade of blue do you prefer?

Villanova’s? UNC’s? Virginia’s? Duke’s? Kentucky’s? Gonzaga’s? Xavier’s? Even Kansas’?

Some people make picks based on mascots. You’re better off grabbing the 128-pack of Crayola crayons, closing your eyes and picking a blue.

Somebody in blue is going to cut down the nets for the 15th time in 16 seasons.

Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports