The madness of March is here, and the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament field is set. The Auburn Tigers, led by SEC Player of the Year Johni Broome, were awarded the No. 1 overall seed by the selection committee on Sunday. Auburn (28-5) claimed the SEC regular-season title, despite dropping three of its last four games, including a 70-65 loss to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament semifinals.
Joining Auburn as top seeds are Duke (ACC), Houston (Big 12), and Florida (SEC). The selection committee’s choices reflect the dominance of the SEC this season, which made history by securing a record 14 bids in the tournament, breaking the Big East’s previous high of 11 in 2011.
Auburn Headlines a Competitive South Region
The Tigers will begin their quest for a national championship in the South Region, where they will face the winner of Alabama State vs. St. Francis in Lexington, Kentucky, on Thursday. Auburn’s road to the Final Four won’t be easy, with second-seeded Michigan State, third-seeded Iowa State—who will be without starting guard Keshon Gilbert due to a muscle strain—and a familiar foe in fourth-seeded Texas A&M all vying for a trip to Phoenix.
Duke Takes No. 1 in the East, but Flagg’s Status Looms Large
Duke (31-3) captured the top seed in the East Region and will play either American or Mount St. Mary’s in Raleigh on Friday. However, the Blue Devils’ hopes hinge on the health of freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, who suffered a sprained ankle during the ACC Tournament. Despite his absence, Duke won the conference title, and head coach Jon Scheyer is optimistic about Flagg’s availability for their first-round game.
Alabama, last year’s Final Four participant, earned the No. 2 seed in the East, followed by Wisconsin, Arizona, and Oregon rounding out the top five.
Houston Dominates Big 12, Grabs Top Spot in Midwest
Houston (30-4) secured its fourth straight 30-win season, matching Gonzaga for the second-longest streak in Division I history. The Cougars, who swept the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, will face SIU Edwardsville in Wichita on Thursday. Houston boasts one of the stingiest defenses in the country and will be a tough out in a region that includes second-seeded UConn, the two-time reigning national champions.
Gonzaga, the eighth seed in the Midwest, faces a tough path to maintain its streak of reaching the second weekend, with a potential second-round matchup against Houston looming.
Florida Emerges as a Title Contender in the West
Florida (30-4) claimed the No. 1 seed in the West Region and will face Norfolk State on Friday. The Gators, who won their first SEC Tournament title since 2014, have been one of the most well-rounded teams in the country, ranking No. 1 in KenPom offensive efficiency and No. 10 on defense.
A potential second-round clash against two-time defending champion UConn could be one of the tournament’s marquee early matchups. The West Region also features second-seeded St. John’s, led by Rick Pitino, who is coaching his record-breaking sixth different program in the NCAA Tournament.
SEC’s Dominance Sets Up Intriguing Matchups
With 14 teams in the field, the SEC’s presence will be felt throughout the tournament. The committee’s attempt to avoid early conference rematches proved difficult, as three potential second-round SEC matchups remain in play. Florida’s success in top-10 matchups this season (5-2) highlights the conference’s strength, and teams like Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas A&M could make deep runs.
Notable Bubble Teams and Snubs
In a somewhat surprising decision, both North Carolina (22-13) and Texas (19-15) made the field despite shaky résumés. North Carolina, which struggled to a 1-12 record against Quad 1 opponents, barely sneaked in as the last at-large team. Texas, meanwhile, tied an NCAA record for most losses (15) by an at-large selection, but its seven Quad 1 wins proved enough to punch a ticket.
On the other side of the bubble, Indiana, West Virginia, and Boise State were left out, with the selection committee citing a lack of marquee wins.
March Madness Begins
The First Four games tip off on Tuesday, with the full bracket action commencing Thursday and Friday. The race to Phoenix is officially on, with Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida leading the charge. With a deep SEC presence and no clear-cut favorite, this year’s tournament promises to deliver the chaos, drama, and upsets that make March Madness the most exciting time of the year. Stay tuned as the road to the Final Four unfolds!
