The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket was unveiled on Selection Sunday, March 16, introducing a field rich with both familiar powerhouses and emerging contenders. Auburn secured the No. 1 overall seed, leading the South Region, while other top seeds include Houston (Midwest), Duke (East), and Florida (West).
Top Seeds and Regional Breakdown
South Region: Auburn, boasting a 28-5 record, leads this region. They are joined by teams like Louisville, seeded eighth, who will face ninth-seeded Creighton in the first round, potentially setting up a second-round clash with Auburn.
Midwest Region: Houston, with a 30-4 record, claims the top spot. The Cougars are joined by teams such as Tennessee (No. 2 seed) and Kentucky (No. 3 seed), both aiming to make deep runs.
East Region: Duke, holding a 31-3 record, leads this region. They will commence their tournament journey against the winner of the First Four matchup between American University and Mount St. Mary’s. A potential second-round game could pit them against either Mississippi State or Baylor, teams featuring former Blue Devils Jaemyn Brakefield and Jeremy Roach, respectively.
West Region: Florida, with a 29-5 record, secures the top seed. The Gators are anticipated to face stiff competition from teams like Michigan State and Arizona as they navigate their path to the Final Four.
Notable Teams and Potential Cinderella Stories
This year’s tournament features several teams making their NCAA Tournament debuts, including High Point (Big South champions), UC San Diego (Big West champions), SIU Edwardsville (Ohio Valley champions), and Omaha (Summit League champions). Additionally, Lipscomb returns for its second appearance since 2018, and Saint Francis makes its first appearance since 1991.
Analysts have highlighted potential upsets, notably the No. 11-seeded Drake Bulldogs facing No. 6 seed Missouri. Drake, with a 30-3 record, is praised for its strong defensive play and the standout performance of Bennett Stirtz, drawing comparisons to Steph Curry.
Tournament Schedule and Locations
The tournament kicks off with the First Four games on March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio. First-round games are scheduled for March 20-21, followed by the second round on March 22-23. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight will occur from March 27-30. The culmination of March Madness, the Final Four, is set for April 5, with the national championship game on April 7, both at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Fans can access and print the official 2025 NCAA tournament bracket to follow the action and make their predictions.
With a blend of seasoned programs and fresh faces, the 2025 NCAA Tournament promises thrilling matchups and the potential for unforgettable Cinderella stories, embodying the true spir
it of March Madness.
