The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has unfolded with a blend of expected victories and unexpected upsets, captivating fans nationwide.
The tournament’s top seeds demonstrated their dominance in The Round of 64. No. 1 seed Duke showcased their skills in a 93-49 win over Mount St. Mary’s, marking a strong start to their championship hopes. Star freshman Cooper Flagg, returning from injury, contributed 14 points, reinforcing Duke’s strength as a team.
Junior, Cohen Schultz said, “Duke has proven to be the best all-around team this season, having multiple players capable of taking over in scoring, shooting a high free throw percentage as a team, and having one of the highest defensive efficiencies in all of college basketball. With a 30-3 record and Cooper Flagg, it’ll be hard to take them down”.
Similarly, No. 1 seed Florida dominated No. 16 seed Norfolk State with a 95-69 victory. Led by Walter Clayton Jr. and Alex Condon. The tournament’s unpredictability was evident as No. 12 seed Colorado State toppled No. 5 seed Memphis 78-70. Kyan Evans led the Rams with 23 points, continuing their impressive 11-game winning streak and advancing to face No. 4 seed Maryland. No. 12 seed McNeese State also having an historic win over No. 5 seed Clemson 69-67, with it being their first ever NCAA Tournament win. The No. 11 seed Drake also came through with a victory of 67-57 over No. 6 seed Missouri.
Senior, Emily Nicklow, said, “I would like UConn to win because they won 2 years in a row, and they are a strong team.” In The Round of 32 the defending champion UConn Huskies gave a run against the No.1 seed Florida Gators, but fell short 77-75. No. 10 seed Arkansas, defeated the No. 2 seed St. John’s 75-66 moving on to the Sweet 16 ending legendary Coach Rick Pitino’s championship hopes. No. 4 seed Maryland held on to a victory against No. 12 seed Colorado State with a buzzer beater shot from Freshman, Derik Queen, making the final score 72-71.
A record setting 7 of the 14 SEC that made the tournament advanced to the Sweet 16, Kentucky, Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss Florida, and Alabama. Along with four Big 12 conference teams in Houston, Texas Tech, Arizona, and BYU. Four from the Big 10 conference Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, and Maryland. And the lone representative from the ACC in Duke.
Junior, Nolan Miles said, “Florida is going to be the champion because of Walter Clayton Jr. He is the best player in the league.” Fans are adamant to see how the tournament plays out over the next two weekends and who will be the 2025 champion. The Final Four and championship game will be April 7th, in San Antonio, Texas.
