Whether you're a die-hard hoops fan or just a casual observer, the NCAA tournament is the perfect time to watch college basketball. One game can alter a program's future and etch players into basketball history. Selection Sunday is this Sunday, March 16th, and that’s when the official bracket will be revealed. The first round begins on March 20th, and the 2025 NCAA Championship will take place on Monday, April 7th, in San Antonio, Texas. Let’s take a look at what this year's tournament might have in store!
Conference breakdown and Bubble Teams
Before conference tournaments conclude, the SEC is projected to have the most teams by any conference in this years tournament with 13 teams looking to punch their ticket. Next would be the Big Ten with 9 teams and the Big 12 with 8 teams.
Right now the last four teams projected to make it in are San Diego State, Indiana, Xavier, and North Carolina. The first four teams out include Texas, Ohio State, Boise State and Colorado State. Anything can happen though so stay tuned to selection Sunday to see how things shake out!
Favorites
The four teams that have the best chance to make a deep run would be Auburn, Duke, Houston and Florida. All four of these teams have been playing excellent basketball all year long. Auburn will have the best chance with being the projected overall number one seed going into the tournament with arguably the countries best player in Johni Broome leading the way. Alabama and Michigan State are also two teams that seem to play their best basketball come tourney time so look out for those teams to make a deep run.
Hot Teams going into tournament
St. Johns is a hot team thats been buzzing since Rick Pitino took over. He's had unprecedented success with multiple teams over his career and has the ability to get the most out of his players when it counts the most. Look for them to play lockdown defense and to be one of the most prepared teams going into the tournament. Another team thats hot and can make a deep run would be Texas Tech. Led by JT Toppin, they have the mix of offense and defense to challenge any team they may face in the tournament.
Cinderella Candidates
Everybody loves a good underdog story or picking a team not many expect to win. So here are some possible cinderella teams.
In my opinion Drake has been one of the teams I feel like has a chance to make a cinderella run. They have a team that features several former D2 players that have shown they can compete and win versus top D1 teams. They play together at a high level and have guys that make the right play within their offense.
McNeese State is another team that has been playing incredible basketball and has the talent to compete with top teams in the tourney. Their team has a very balanced scoring average between multiple players so anyone is capable of having a big game. It rarely happens but I predict another 16 seed team will beat a number 1 seed this year. Basketball is leveling out and it only takes one game. Good luck this year with your tourney predictions and more importantly enjoy some of the best basketball college hoops has to offer!
For more college basketball blogs to catch up on before the Men's College Championship Tournament click here.