No 1 Seeds Face Potential Shocks
March Madness 2025 has arrived, bringing speculation about upsets. The men’s No 1 seed Auburn lost three of their last four games. Despite winning 27 of their first 29 games, their late-season struggles raise concerns. The Southeastern Conference, which has 14 tournament teams, remains the strongest in the nation.
In the women’s tournament, Southern California head coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed concerns about facing UConn. Duke, a top contender on the men’s side, face uncertainty as their best player deals with an injury. Florida’s men’s team also stand vulnerable, with Duke and Houston building momentum.
Standout Players to Watch
PJ Haggerty has emerged as a key player for Memphis. The 6ft 3in guard, now on his third college team, averaged 21.8 points per game this season. He scored 83 points in three games to lead Memphis to the American Athletic Conference title.
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo has drawn attention for her aggressive and dynamic play. “Her game is magnetic,” SK said. Michigan State’s Jase Richardson has also impressed with a 59% effective field goal percentage.
Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd look to lead UConn to victory. “Fudd has been one of the comeback players of the year,” TR said.
Excitement On and Off the Court
The women’s final outdrew the men’s final on TV for the first time last year. The gap exceeded 4 million viewers. With Caitlin Clark’s influence, speculation grows on whether women’s basketball can repeat this success.
Tennessee versus Texas in the women’s tournament has generated excitement. “Tennessee will be hungry to make a major March impact this year,” SK said. In the men’s tournament, a potential second-round matchup between St John’s and Arkansas could feature Rick Pitino against John Calipari.
Dark Horse Teams to Watch
UConn, a No 8 seed in the men’s tournament, remain a threat. “Watch Dan Hurley drag the Huskies farther than either of the previous two-time champs,” DC said.
Ole Miss in the women’s tournament have impressed throughout the season. “The Landsharks will likely face top overall seed UCLA … who they could probably beat,” SK said.
Gonzaga’s men’s team are having what some consider a down year at 25-8. However, Mark Few’s team rank ninth in adjusted offense and recently won the WCC championship. Tennessee’s Lady Vols have also gained momentum with recent wins over UConn and Iowa.
Bold Predictions
Broadcaster Bill Raftery’s signature enthusiasm is expected to stand out again. “Onions!” remains his iconic call for clutch moments. NC State’s women’s team could surprise many with a championship run. “There is something so special about the combination of Saniya Rivers, Aziaha James and Zamareya Jones,” SK said.
The University of California San Diego men’s team enter their first postseason. They lead the country in turnover margin. Their first-round opponent, Michigan, have struggled with turnovers all season.
Sports betting is expected to reach record levels. Last year, $2.7 billion was legally wagered on the tournament. This year’s unpredictable season could drive total wagers up to $7 billion.
Predictions for the Final Four
The men’s Final Four predictions feature multiple variations. DC predicted Michigan State, St John’s, Duke, and Houston. SK included Tennessee in place of St John’s. NL picked Auburn, Texas Tech, Alabama, and Houston. TR also backed Auburn but included Florida instead of Texas Tech.
The women’s Final Four selections featured UCLA, South Carolina, and UConn as common picks. DC and NL backed Southern California, while SK and TR predicted Notre Dame to advance.
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Championship Predictions
St John’s have emerged as a strong contender in the men’s march tournament. “It seems silly to pick against the Red Storm,” DC said. Duke also hold championship potential, especially if march Cooper Flagg remains healthy. “That’s as long as Flagg is playing,” SK said.
Alabama’s men’s team enter the tournament as one of the fastest-paced squads. “Bama rank fourth in adjusted offense and 32nd in adjusted defense,” NL said. TR also picked Duke, citing Auburn’s inexperience at winning championships and Houston’s injury concerns.
In the women’s tournament, South Carolina seek their third title march in four years. “Dawn Staley still patrols the sidelines,” DC said. UConn also appear ready for a championship run. “This year, march however, everything seems to be aligning in their favour,” SK said.
Southern California’s JuJu Watkins has been a dominant march force. “The Trojans enter the tournament with a 28-3 record, still feeling like they have something to prove,” NL said. TR also backed UConn, emphasising the team’s growing depth.
The Road Ahead
March Madness 2025 promises unpredictable matchups, standout performances, and historic moments. With teams vying for the title and top players aiming to leave a lasting impact, the tournament’s intensity will only rise.
