March is here.
After the brackets were revealed on CBS, the wild annual spectacle is officially underway.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) clearly won the day, with 14 out of 16 teams making the tournament—an NCAA record—followed by the Big Ten with eight teams and the Big 12 with seven.
The University of North Carolina, to many people’s surprise, also secured a spot in the tournament. The Tar Heels look good on paper—a 22-13 record—but struggled significantly against top-tier opponents. They recorded an abysmal 1-12 mark in Quad 1 games, the toughest games in the NCAA’s NET ranking system.
2025 March Madness Bracket Analysis
The Top Dogs
Auburn Tigers (South Region #1):
The Tigers earned the No. 1 seed with an extraordinary résumé—a 28-5 record and an NCAA-best 16 Quadrant-1 wins. The Tigers are battle-tested, beating top opponents like Kansas, Duke, Tennessee, and Alabama. However, they stumbled late, losing three of their last four games. This late falter has raised questions about their momentum, especially after their early upset loss last year (as a high seed to No. 13 Yale) still looms as a cautionary tale.
Duke Blue Devils (East Region #1):
A talented, deep, all-around roster and an ACC title made Duke the clear No. 1 seed in the East. Duke’s roster is full of raw talent. Freshman phenom and do-it-all forward Cooper Flagg, a potential NBA No. 1 pick provides the star power. Junior guard Tyrese Proctor is an experienced ball-handler and floor manager. Another five-star freshman, rim protector Khaman Maluach, provides the necessary force in the paint. Freshman guard Kon Knueppel, a top-10 recruit and a deadly perimeter shooter with size, fits perfectly with Duke’s spacing-oriented offense. However, Flagg’s recent ankle injury has raised questions about his availability in this year’s March Madness. They might not be able to make a deep run without their superstar centerpiece.
Florida Gators (West Region #1):
Recognized by many as having the easiest route going forward, the Gators’ appearance marks the program’s return to the top line for the first time in a long while. The Gators locked in the top seed with a 29-4 record, an SEC title, and wins over teams like Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. A weakness for the Gators is some of their core players’ lack of experience in March, however. Senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. is a transfer from Iona with limited tournament experience. Senior guard Will Richard is in his second season with Florida. While he has been a key piece of the team’s success, his experience in deep NCAA tournament runs might not be enough.
Houston Cougars (Midwest Region #1):
Houston dominated the Big 12 in its first and second years in the league (2023–2024, 2024–2025). Their ferocious defense, physicality, and rebounding wear teams down. They capped league play with a conference title and one of the nation’s longest active winning streaks heading into the tournament. Like the other No. 1 seeds, Houston is a battle-tested squad that excels at grinding out wins. One weakness, if any, is its perimeter shooting, which has troubled the Cougars historically. Their three-point percentage last year was 34.8%—ranking 132nd. The Cougars’ scoring droughts in some early losses hurt them. If they can fix this issue going forward, they look formidable.
The 2 Seeds
Tennessee Vols (No. 2 Seed, Midwest):
Tennessee is definitely a team to watch out for. An elite defense and a seasoned roster, coupled with wins against top competition such as a 20-point blowout of Alabama and road wins at Wisconsin and Kentucky, make the Vols strong Final Four contenders.
Michigan State Spartans (No. 2 Seed, South):
The Spartans are peaking at the exact right time. As the number one team in the Big Ten, they secured a No. 2-seed with an impressive record (27-6 overall). MSU’s roster is a mix of tournament-tested players and talented freshmen. Under coach Tom Izzo, the Spartans are very likely to make a deep run with their defense and rebounding—not to mention Izzo’s pedigree, as he often leads teams to overachieve in the tournament (eight Final Fours, 17 wins as a lower seed).
Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 2 Seed, East):
Alabama remains a top contender after earning the top seed last year. Coach Nate Oats has built an up-tempo offense; The Crimson Tide can put up 80-plus points on any team. The concern, though, is defense, which has been inconsistent. Their reliance on young players for key spots is also an issue that might hurt their chances. Overall, their firepower and experience from last year make them a serious threat.
St. John’s Red Storm (No. 2 Seed, West):
St. John’s has been the talk of the town for the past month. Coach Rick Pitino achieved a remarkable turnaround in his first season with the team. The Johnnies stormed through the Big East, winning the conference title and earning a No. 2-seed. They have a dynamic offense with multiple scoring options and play Pitino’s pressing-style defense, which is pesky for opponents. St. John’s has serious momentum—they haven’t been this deep in the bracket in decades. As well, Pitino’s Final Four pedigree, with seven appearances at three different schools, simply cannot be overlooked. Their depth is a problem, though. The Red Storm rely heavily on their starters. If any of them get injured or into foul trouble, their tournament run could be in jeopardy. If not, they are one of the biggest dark horses in the tournament.
First-Round Matchups to Tune In To
No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas (Thursday, March 20, 7:10 p.m. on CBS):
A blockbuster first-round clash between two talent-rich teams. Blueblood—programs that are consistently elite, have a dedicated fan base, and boast a history of success. Kansas is surprisingly down at a No. 7-seed, facing an early meeting with Arkansas, a preseason top-20 team. Kansas’s All-American wing and Arkansas’s NBA-bound guard will likely make for a nail-biting battle.
No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 12 UC San Diego (Thursday, March 20, 10:00 p.m. on TBS):
The always-popular 5 vs. 12 upset watch is in full swing here. The Tritons are the Cinderella story this year, as this is their first year eligible for the tournament after moving up from Div. II in 2020. They are currently on a 15-game win streak. This clash has a David vs. Goliath vibe. Michigan has a tall team but averages 15.2 turnovers per game, while UCSD is a guard-heavy team that excels at forcing turnovers (16.2 per game).
No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton (Thursday, March 20, 12:15 p.m. on CBS):
The eight-against-nine matchup has always been among the most unpredictable and thrilling games. This matchup is no exception. Louisville, similar to St. John’s, experienced an incredible turnaround. With a 27-7 record, they reached the ACC Tournament final before falling to Duke. Many analysts believe Louisville was under-seeded at No. 8. Creighton has a 24-10 overall record and significant tournament experience (multiple Sweet 16 appearances). The contrast in their playing styles will be something to watch: Louisville is a perimeter shooting team, while Creighton excels in interior play.
Nobody knows for sure what will happen in the tournament.
To date, no one has ever completed a verifiable perfect bracket. If each game’s outcome were a coin flip, the odds of selecting all games correctly would be 1 in 9.2 quintillion. If you have collected enough basketball knowledge and historical data, congratulations—your odds just improved to 1 in 120.2 billion.
This is a battleground where countless talents leave in heartbreak, where countless unknowns rise to national fame, and where countless spectators are left in sheer disbelief.
Are you ready with your popcorn?
