The 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket has been revealed, setting the stage for three weeks of March Madness drama as Auburn earned the No. 1 overall seed despite a late-season stumble. The Tigers, who lost to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament, headline a field of 68 teams that includes traditional powers Duke, Houston, and Florida as the other No. 1 seeds. Selection Sunday delivered its annual surprises and controversies, with the SEC making history by placing 14 teams in the tournament—the most ever for a single conference—while bubble teams like North Carolina, Texas, Xavier, and San Diego State secured the final spots in what promises to be one of the most unpredictable tournaments in recent memory.
Auburn Tops Bracket Despite Late-Season Stumble
Auburn enters the tournament as the top overall seed and the No. 1 seed in the East Region after compiling a 28-5 record and winning the SEC regular season championship. However, the Tigers arrive with questions after dropping three of their last four games, including that SEC Tournament loss to Tennessee. According to SB Nation, Auburn's recent struggles haven't deterred the selection committee from recognizing their body of work throughout the season.
Duke secured the second overall seed after winning the ACC Championship, though the Blue Devils face uncertainty regarding star forward Cooper Flagg, who injured his left ankle during the conference tournament. Duke coach Jon Scheyer told reporters that Flagg was "trending in a great way" to be ready for the first round, according to NBC News. Houston and Florida round out the No. 1 seeds, with the Cougars leading the Midwest Region and the Gators heading the West Region.
The bracket reveal included immediate intrigue in the No. 2 seeds, particularly St. John's Red Storm, coached by Hall of Famer Rick Pitino. The Red Storm finished 30-4 in the regular season, including an 18-2 record in the Big East, and Pitino—who has already led three teams to the Final Four and is the only coach to win national championships at two different schools—could add to both totals this spring.
From Selection Sunday to San Antonio: The March Madness Roadmap
The tournament begins Tuesday, March 18, with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio, determining the final spots in the 11- and 16-seed lines. According to Fox News, key First Four matchups include San Diego State versus North Carolina for the No. 11 seed in the South Region, Alabama State against Saint Francis (PA) for the No. 16 seed in the same region, and Texas versus Xavier for the No. 11 seed in the Midwest Region.
The first and second rounds run from Thursday, March 20, through Sunday, March 23, at eight sites across the country. The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight will take place from Thursday, March 27, through Sunday, March 30, setting the stage for the Final Four in San Antonio. The national semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, April 5, with the championship game set for Monday, April 7.
This year's tournament features several historic notes: The SEC's 14 bids break the previous record of 13 set by the Big East in 2011. Among the SEC's selections is Missouri, which made the tournament just one year after going 0-18 in conference play. The Tigers had three wins against top-five opponents during the regular season and could be a dangerous early-round opponent.
Expert Predictions and Potential Bracket Busters
As brackets are finalized across the country, analysts are weighing in with their predictions. ESPN's Jay Bilas, one of college basketball's most respected voices, released his "More Than Five-Minute Bracket" with picks for every game of the tournament. While Bilas's complete predictions weren't fully detailed in the available source material, his annual bracket analysis is considered must-read material for serious fans.
Several teams have been identified as potential bracket busters. St. John's, as previously mentioned, presents a formidable challenge as a No. 2 seed. The Red Storm's combination of veteran leadership under Pitino and their impressive regular-season record makes them a threat to make a deep run. In the Midwest Region, Tennessee earned a No. 2 seed and could challenge Houston's path to the Final Four.
The bubble teams that made the field—North Carolina, Texas, Xavier, and San Diego State—could also play spoiler roles. North Carolina's inclusion was particularly controversial given that the school's athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, chairs the selection committee, though he reportedly recused himself from discussions about the Tar Heels. These teams, playing with something to prove, often present dangerous matchups for higher-seeded opponents.
First Four Matchups and Bubble Teams That Made It
The First Four games feature several compelling storylines. In addition to the matchups previously mentioned, the East Region's No. 16 seed will be determined by American versus Mount Saint Mary's. The winners of these games face the daunting task of taking on No. 1 seeds in the first round, though history has shown that anything can happen in March.
The last four teams to make the field—North Carolina, Xavier, San Diego State, and Texas—survived intense scrutiny from the selection committee. Meanwhile, the first four teams left out were Indiana, Ohio State, West Virginia, and Boise State, according to NBC News. These omissions sparked debate among analysts, particularly regarding Boise State, which won seven of its last nine games but was thrashed by Colorado State in the Mountain West Conference championship game.
The SEC's record-setting 14 bids include traditional powers like Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as surprising inclusions like Missouri. The conference's depth this season is unprecedented, with nearly every team having legitimate tournament credentials. This representation could translate to multiple SEC teams advancing deep into the tournament, potentially setting up conference matchups in later rounds.
Key Games and Storylines to Watch
Several first-round matchups stand out as particularly intriguing. In the South Region, No. 5 Michigan faces No. 12 UC San Diego, a potential upset special given UC San Diego's 30-4 record. In the East Region, No. 6 BYU versus No. 11 VCU features two strong mid-major programs capable of making noise. The Midwest Region's No. 6 Illinois versus No. 11 Texas/Xavier winner could provide early drama, while the West Region's No. 6 Missouri versus No. 11 Drake pits two talented teams against each other.
Cooper Flagg's health remains the dominant storyline for Duke. The freshman phenom is considered one of the best players in the country, and his availability could determine whether the Blue Devils live up to their No. 2 overall seed. Similarly, Auburn will be watched closely to see if they can shake off their late-season slump and play like the top overall seed.
Rick Pitino's quest for another Final Four appearance with St. John's adds a compelling narrative to the tournament. At 72, Pitino has revitalized the Red Storm program and has them positioned for a potential deep run. His tournament experience and tactical acumen give St. John's an advantage that few other No. 2 seeds can match.
The Bottom Line: 5 Things to Remember
1. Auburn is the No. 1 overall seed despite losing three of its last four games, demonstrating the selection committee's emphasis on full-season performance over recent results.
2. The SEC made history with 14 tournament bids, breaking the previous record and showcasing the conference's unprecedented depth this season.
3. Duke's championship hopes hinge on Cooper Flagg's ankle recovery, with the star forward expected to be ready for the first round but likely not at 100% initially.
4. St. John's, led by Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, represents the most dangerous No. 2 seed in the field and could make a legitimate Final Four run.
5. The First Four games feature several bubble teams with something to prove, setting the stage for potential early upsets and Cinderella stories.
With the bracket now set, the madness can officially begin. Over the next three weeks, 67 games will determine which team cuts down the nets in San Antonio. Whether your bracket follows the chalk or embraces the upsets, one thing is certain: March delivers drama like no other month in sports.
