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Want to have a chance to win $1 million?

The Messenger is giving you that opportunity by partnering with other media outlets across the country in this year’s College Hoops bracket contest brought to you by Southern Animal Hospital.

This year local residents will have a chance to fill out a bracket and enter a nationwide contest for the chance at $1 million.

All you have to do is pick the perfect bracket from the round of 64 to the championship game and cash the check.

Other national prizes include a PlayStation 5 and gift cards.

Shortly after the 64-team field was announced Sunday evening, our bracket contest went live at troymessenger.com/college-hoops.

We encourage you to register and make your picks before the first games are played Friday.

The Messenger reader who finishes with the highest score throughout the tournament will win a $100 gift card. Smaller prizes will be awarded to the second ($75 gift card) and third place ($50 gift card).  You’ll also have a chance to pick against a slate of lo-cal VIP pickers.

Picks must be submitted by 10:45 a.m. Friday, before the first-round games begin.

Besides competing against people in Pike County and across the country, you can also set up groups among friends or colleagues to see who can pick the best bracket.  So if you want to pick a bracket based on who has the cooler mascot or uniforms, go right ahead.

It’s all free, and mostly for fun.