The much-anticipated 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket was unveiled on Selection Sunday, and it’s already creating a buzz. Auburn claimed the No. 1 overall seed, edging out a dominant Duke team, while the Southeastern Conference (SEC) made history with a record-breaking 14 teams in the tournament. With powerhouse programs, bubble drama, and intriguing matchups, this year’s March Madness promises to be unforgettable.
Auburn earned the prestigious No. 1 overall seed in the South region after an impressive season that saw them finish with a 28-5 record. Despite losing three of their last four games, including a semifinal defeat to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament, the Tigers’ strong résumé carried them to the top. They played the second-toughest schedule in the nation and secured 16 Quad 1 wins—more than any other team.
Led by National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, Auburn aims to convert this top seeding into its first-ever NCAA championship. The Tigers’ losses this season came against high-caliber opponents, including Duke, Tennessee, Florida, Texas A&M, and Alabama—all of whom are highly seeded in the tournament.
“We’ve got to get our mojo back,” said Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl. “But we’re ready for this challenge.”
Duke enters March Madness as the No. 1 seed in the East region after an extraordinary season. The Blue Devils finished with a 31-3 record and dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with a 19-1 regular-season mark followed by an ACC Tournament championship. Their average margin of victory—20.8 points per game—was the best in the nation.
Despite their dominance and a December win over Auburn, Duke was edged out for the top overall seed due to its strength of schedule, which ranked just 57th nationally. However, with star freshman Cooper Flagg expected to return from an ankle injury, many consider Duke the favorite to win it all.
Joining Auburn and Duke as top seeds are Houston (Midwest) and Florida (West). Houston has been a consistent force all season and faces a potential second-round matchup against Gonzaga, making its 26th consecutive tournament appearance.
Florida earned its No. 1 seed after an impressive run in the SEC Tournament, where they won three games by an average margin of 15 points. The Gators are slight favorites to win it all at the Final Four in San Antonio on April 5 and 7.
Selection Sunday wasn’t without controversy. North Carolina and Texas barely made it into the tournament as part of the “First Four,” while teams like Indiana, West Virginia, and Boise State were left out.
North Carolina’s inclusion sparked debate due to its lackluster 1-12 record against Quad 1 teams. However, their perfect 8-0 mark against Quad 2 opponents and other favorable metrics swayed the selection committee.
“There were a number of challenges in putting together this bracket,” said North Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, who chaired the selection committee but recused himself from discussions about his school. “Ultimately, we felt they deserved that last spot.”
Both North Carolina and Texas will play in First Four matchups starting Tuesday.
The SEC solidified its status as a basketball powerhouse with a record-breaking 14 teams in this year’s tournament. This includes Tennessee, Alabama, and Michigan State as No. 2 seeds alongside St. John’s.
The conference’s depth led to some quirks in the bracket, such as three potential second-round matchups between SEC teams—a scenario typically avoided but unavoidable this year due to sheer numbers.
“The SEC had an outstanding year,” Cunningham explained. “They won 88% of their nonconference games.”
The question now is whether an SEC team can capture its first national title since Kentucky’s championship run in 2012.
This year’s bracket is packed with compelling matchups and coaching narratives:
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: St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino leads his sixth program into March Madness with a first-round game in Providence—the site of his first Final Four appearance in 1987.
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: Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo continues his remarkable run with a record-setting 27th consecutive tournament appearance.
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: If Pitino’s St. John’s advances past Omaha in round one, they could face Arkansas head coach John Calipari in what promises to be a fiery second-round clash.
March Madness officially begins on Tuesday, March 18, with First Four games airing on truTV. The first round kicks off on Thursday and Friday with games broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV, and streaming platforms like Paramount+.
Key dates include:
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: March 27–28
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: March 29–30
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: April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio
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: April 7 at the Alamodome
As March Madness unfolds over the next few weeks, fans can expect thrilling upsets, Cinderella stories, and unforgettable moments that define college basketball’s most exciting time of year. With powerhouse programs like Auburn and Duke leading the charge alongside underdog stories like North Carolina’s last-minute inclusion, this year’s tournament promises something for everyone.
Whether you’re filling out your bracket or cheering for your favorite team, one thing is certain: March Madness is here—and it’s going to be epic!
