On Thursday, sixteen games nationwide kicked off the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, likely causing some disruptions to your March Madness bracket. Perhaps you anticipated an upset with High Point over Purdue or believed that top-seed Houston might be at risk against a No. 16 seed without justifiable cause.
No worries; the tournament continues, and it’s unlikely that the outcome of your bracket will be determined solely by the first day of the opening round.
While our expert team might have claimed to have predicted every game correctly (not really), their picks are available to guide you through the uncertainty of what’s to come as we approach Round 2 and identify teams that might be in jeopardy of an upset.
2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket Predictions
Gary Parrish
Auburn has been the standout team in college basketball this season, and I’m sticking with the Tigers to clinch the national title despite their recent challenges. Yes, I acknowledge they’ve dropped three of their last four contests, and historically, no team has won the NCAA Tournament after such a streak before Selection Sunday. However, Bruce Pearl has made history multiple times, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens again. Auburn will emerge victorious in San Antonio, with Johni Broome earning the title of Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four.
Matt Norlander
No program has demonstrated more consistency and resilience in the last five seasons than Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars. After coming so close to a championship with a top-seeded Houston team two years ago, I believe they will finish the job in 2025 on their home turf. Great coaches often succeed, and Sampson fits that bill. This team features the best offensive strategy he’s ever implemented, highlighted by standout players like Joseph Tugler, J’Wan Roberts, and sharpshooters LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, and Milos Uzan. Everything is set for the Cougars to celebrate in San Antonio.
Kyle Boone
With star freshman Cooper Flagg, a frontrunner for National Player of the Year, sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during the ACC Tournament, Duke faces uncertainty. If Flagg can return to near full health, I’m betting on the team with the highest talent level backed by the best player in college basketball. Duke has won 31 games leading up to the tournament, securing 26 of the last 27 contests, including a victory over top-seeded Auburn.
David Cobb
Florida is entering the NCAA Tournament after an impressive performance in the SEC Tournament, showcasing a well-rounded team with no apparent weaknesses. With elite guards and strong big men, they’ve won twelve of their last thirteen games, often by significant margins. Florida seems poised to dominate their early matchups, whether facing last year’s champions UConn or other challenging contenders.
Cameron Salerno
Duke is relieved as superstar freshman Cooper Flagg appears to have avoided a serious injury threat to their tournament run. Demonstrating depth during the ACC Tournament without Flagg, Duke has a favorable path back to the Final Four. A potential championship title could solidify Flagg’s standing among college basketball’s most accomplished one-and-done players.
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