The much-anticipated March Madness 2025 bracket has officially been revealed, igniting excitement among college basketball fans as Selection Sunday, March 16, 2025, set the stage for this year’s NCAA Tournament. With 68 teams vying for the national championship, the bracket offers a mix of powerhouse programs, surprising contenders, and expert predictions that promise an electrifying tournament. Here’s everything you need to know about the March Madness 2025 bracket, including top seeds, unexpected picks, and how to get your printable version.
Top Seeds and Notable Teams in the March Madness 2025 Bracket
This year’s NCAA Tournament features a formidable lineup of No. 1 seeds: Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida. Auburn earned the coveted top overall seed, bolstered by a stellar season led by National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome. The Tigers’ impressive 16-5 record against Quad 1 opponents solidified their dominance, despite tough losses to fellow tournament heavyweights like Duke and Tennessee. Duke, a perennial favorite, enters with high expectations, listed as the betting favorite at +320 odds by ESPN BET, while Florida and Houston round out the elite group with their own championship pedigrees.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) made history by sending a record-breaking 14 of its 16 teams to the tournament, surpassing the previous mark set by the Big East in 2011. Standouts like Tennessee and Alabama join Auburn and Florida among the top seeds, showcasing the SEC’s depth and strength in 2025. Meanwhile, bubble teams North Carolina and Texas squeaked into the field, despite shaky records of 22-13 and 19-15, respectively, stirring debate among fans and analysts.
Expert Predictions and Surprising Picks
CBS Sports’ advanced computer model has already stirred the pot with its March Madness 2025 bracket predictions, identifying potential upsets and Cinderella stories. The model, known for nailing 20 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds in past tournaments, suggests Kentucky’s struggles—allowing 77.9 points per game and averaging 11.1 turnovers—could halt their run before the Sweet 16, a drought that’s persisted since 2018-19. On the flip side, the model highlights a play-in team poised to stun its first-round opponent, though specifics remain under wraps for now. For those crafting their brackets, these insights could be the edge needed to outsmart the competition.
ESPN’s coverage further breaks down the 68-team field, noting the tournament’s standard format since 2011, where the selection committee seeds the 16 best available teams. Unexpected inclusions like St. John’s, led by legendary coach Rick Pitino in his sixth program appearance, add intrigue. Pitino’s squad faces a nostalgic first-round matchup in Providence, where he once led the Friars to a Final Four in 1987.
Get Your Printable March Madness 2025 Bracket
Ready to fill out your bracket? The Detroit Free Press offers a downloadable and printable March Madness 2025 bracket, perfect for tracking every game from the First Four on March 18-19 to the Final Four on April 5-7 in San Antonio. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual player in an office pool, this resource ensures you won’t miss a moment of the action. The men’s bracket reveal aired at 6 p.m. ET on CBS, followed by the women’s at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, marking the official start of bracket season.
What’s Next for March Madness 2025?
With the First Four tipping off Tuesday, March 18, and the full first round beginning Thursday, March 20, the road to the national championship is set. Will Auburn convert their top seed into a historic title run? Can Duke reclaim their glory? Or will a dark horse emerge from the chaos? Fans can dive deeper into the bracket analysis on ESPN and CBS Sports, while Yahoo Sports offers early betting odds for every matchup.
Stay tuned as the Madness unfolds, and don’t forget to grab your printable bracket to join the fun. Who’s your pick to cut down the nets in 2025?
