With the NCAA schedule in full swing and the men’s March Madness tournament heating up, fans are eager to see which teams will emerge as the biggest surprises. As the bracket challenge unfolds, the pressure is on for top teams to prove their worth. From injury concerns to rising stars, let’s break down the March Madness upset predictions and Final Four predictions 2025 to see who has the best odds to win March Madness this year.
The Most Exciting Player This Year Is …
One of the most electrifying players in the NCAAB tournament is PJ Haggerty, a 6ft 3in redshirt sophomore guard for Memphis. After bouncing between Tulsa and TCU, he’s now leading the Tigers, scoring 21.8 points per game and pushing his team to a No. 5 seed in the tournament. Could he be the key to Memphis making a deep run?
Other standout players include Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, a freshman point guard with an elite shooting touch. With a 59% effective field goal percentage, Richardson embodies the toughness that Tom Izzo values, making Michigan State a dark horse pick in many bracket predictions 2025.
What Are You Most Looking Forward To, On or Off the Court?
One major storyline is whether the men’s March Madness final can outdraw the women’s final on TV, after last year’s historic viewership shift. On the court, a potential second-round showdown between St John’s and Arkansas could bring plenty of drama, given the history between coaches Rick Pitino and John Calipari.
Another key focus is whether LSU can recover from their late-season struggles. With Flau’jae Johnson’s inconsistent play and injury concerns, their ability to make a Final Four 2025 run remains uncertain.
Dark Horse Teams to Watch
History has shown that back-to-back championships are rare in March Madness. UConn, the 2023-24 titleholders, enter the tournament as a No. 8 seed, but don’t count out coach Dan Hurley’s ability to lead them on another deep run. Meanwhile, Gonzaga has had an uncharacteristically quiet season but still ranks ninth in adjusted offense. Could Mark Few’s team surprise us all?
The Most Vulnerable No. 1 Seed Is …
Auburn (28-5) enters the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, but their recent struggles—losing three of their last four games—raise concerns. Meanwhile, Florida faces tough competition in its region, including Duke, Houston, and Auburn, making them a prime candidate for an early exit in many March Madness upset predictions.
One Bold Prediction …
Last year, over $2.7 billion was legally wagered on the tournament, but with the rising interest in sports betting, the total this year could surpass $7 billion. The unpredictability of this season makes the betting market more enticing than ever, with significant movement in the odds to win March Madness.
Men’s Final Four Predictions 2025
Our picks for the Final Four 2025 include:
- Michigan State
- St John’s
- Duke
- Houston
Other potential teams to watch: Auburn, Texas Tech, and Alabama, all of whom have strong tournament résumés.
The Men’s Champion Will Be …
Duke. With top-tier talent and a championship system, Duke has the depth and experience to navigate the NCAA schedule and take home the title—especially if star freshman Cooper Flagg is fully healthy.
How to Watch March Madness
For those looking for the best ways to stream the tournament, CBS Sports (CBSSports) and other major networks will provide full coverage. Whether you’re following the action on TV or online, be sure to stay up to date with all the biggest matchups, upsets, and Cinderella stories.
With these bracket predictions 2025, sleeper teams, and must-watch matchups, March Madness 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable tournament. Stay tuned for all the latest updates and let’s see which teams will cut down the nets this year!