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2025 March Madness Bracket Revealed: Upsets, Top Seeds, and Cinderella Stories Begin
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket for 2025 was announced Sunday evening, setting the stage for the annual “March Madness” frenzy. Sixty-eight teams learned their paths to the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, with games beginning Tuesday, March 18. The bracket, filled with surprises and storylines, has fans and analysts debating potential upsets, dark horses, and title contenders.
Selection Process and Top Seeds
For the first time since 2023, the selection committee awarded four teams as No. 1 seeds: Duke (East Region), Kansas (Midwest), Gonzaga (West), and Purdue (South). Duke (29-3) earned the overall top seed after winning the ACC Tournament, led by senior guard Jason Evans (19.8 points per game). Kansas (28-5), the Big 12 champion, boasts the nation’s top defense. Gonzaga (30-4) returns to the No. 1 spot after dominating the West Coast Conference, while Purdue (27-6) secured its seed with a strong Big Ten Tournament run.
Notable snubs included Florida State (19-13), which missed the tournament despite a late-season surge. Meanwhile, mid-major teams like Saint Mary’s (West Coast Conference) and Dayton (Atlantic 10) earned at-large bids, sparking debates about “small-school” representation.
Cinderella Watch: Teams Poised for Surprises
Every March, lower-seeded teams (“Cinderellas”) shock higher-ranked opponents. This year, analysts highlight three potential bracket-busters:
No. 12 Sam Houston State (South Region)
The Bearkats (26-7) won the Conference USA Tournament and face No. 5 Oklahoma (22-10) in the first round. Sam Houston’s aggressive defense (No. 2 in steals nationally) could rattle Oklahoma’s turnover-prone guards.No. 11 Drake (Midwest Region)
Drake (24-9) squeezed into the tournament after a buzzer-beater in the Missouri Valley semifinals. They’ll play No. 6 TCU (23-10), a team struggling with injuries. Drake’s veteran lineup, including fifth-year forward Darnell Tucker (14.2 PPG), brings tournament experience.No. 13 UC Irvine (West Region)
The Anteaters (25-8) face No. 4 Alabama (24-9), a team with inconsistent three-point shooting. UC Irvine’s size (No. 1 in rebounds per game) could dominate the boards and slow the game.
Key First-Round Matchups
The bracket includes several must-watch games:
No. 8 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Virginia (East Region): Kentucky’s freshman phenom guard Malik Johnson (21.4 PPG) faces Virginia’s suffocating defense (No. 3 in scoring defense).
No. 7 Florida vs. No. 10 Seton Hall (South Region): Both teams rely on fast-paced offenses, promising a high-scoring showdown.
No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 12 College of Charleston (West Region): Charleston’s three-point shooting (39% as a team) challenges San Diego State’s perimeter defense.
Star Players to Watch
This year’s tournament features standout athletes:
Jason Evans (Duke): The ACC Player of the Year is a clutch scorer, hitting game-winning shots in three conference games.
Liam O’Connor (Gonzaga): The 7-foot center from Ireland averages 17.8 points and 11.3 rebounds, anchoring Gonzaga’s frontcourt.
Aaliyah Rodriguez (Kansas): The sophomore guard (18.9 PPG) became the first woman to play in the men’s NCAA tournament after Kansas received an eligibility waiver. Her speed and playmaking have drawn national attention.
Bracket Chaos Begins Early
Even before the tournament tips off, the bracket is crumbling. On Monday, the NCAA announced No. 11 Indiana State must forfeit its First Four game due to eligibility violations, advancing No. 11 St. John’s automatically. Additionally, No. 3 Baylor (South Region) lost starting forward Cole Thompson to a knee injury during practice, weakening their title hopes.
As of Tuesday morning, only 3% of ESPN’s 22 million brackets remain perfect after First Four upsets, including No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson’s 72-70 stunner over No. 16 Montana State.
Final Four Predictions
Analysts are split on championship favorites. ESPN’s Jay Bilas predicts Duke, Kansas, UConn (No. 2 Midwest), and Alabama will reach San Antonio. Meanwhile, CBS’s Clark Kellogg warns, “Don’t sleep on Gonzaga. Their chemistry is unmatched.”
Fan polls show 42% support Duke as title winners, but social media buzz surrounds Kansas’s historic defense and Rodriguez’s trailblazing role.
What’s Next?
The tournament begins Tuesday with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio. Thursday and Friday feature 32 first-round games, airing on CBS, TBS, and TruTV. Fans can track brackets via the NCAA app, which introduced live VR viewing this year.
As millions fill out brackets at home, workplaces, and online pools, one thing is certain: madness is just beginning.
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