March Madness Guide: Everything to know before filling out your bracket
The brackets have dropped, the matchups are set, and the most electric three weeks on the college basketball calendar are here. The 2025 NCAA Tournament features storylines galore, including the SEC breaking the record with 14 teams involved. Two of those - Auburn and Florida - join Duke and Houston as the four No. 1 seeds in this year's bracket.
While the top teams take most of the headlines, a couple plucky underdogs always make noise once the action starts. We help identify who they could be heading into Thursday. Find everything you need to know about the 68-team event below.
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Region previews
Featured analysis
Betting tips
Featured: 2025 March Madness expert picks
theScore basketball writers Dane Belbeck, Chicco Nacion, and Thomas Tittley are joined by betting writer Sam Oshtry and ball-knowers Tyler MacKillop and Levi Smith from our social team to dish out their selections for the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and the national champion. Read more ...
Region previews 🍿
South Region
Auburn enters as the top overall seed in the entire event but faltered down the stretch with losses in three of its last four games. However, the Tigers' overall resume is unmatched, with star forward Johni Broome leading the way for Bruce Pearl's program. Michigan State and Iowa State are Auburn's toughest competition, grabbing the 2- and 3-seed, respectively. A number of possible bracket-busters reside in the South, with No. 10 New Mexico and No. 12 UC San Diego capable of making runs past the first weekend. Read more ...
East Region
Even if you haven't watched much college basketball this year, there's a good chance you've heard the name Cooper Flagg. The Duke star is the overwhelming favorite to be the top pick in the upcoming NBA draft, but he enters the tournament with an injury concern after spraining his ankle in the ACC tourney. If Flagg is fully healthy, the Blue Devils should get through the East unscathed. If he's limited, look for Alabama to rise up thanks to its explosive offense. Read more ...
Midwest Region
Another year, another No. 1 seed for Houston. The Cougars have been one of college basketball's top programs over the past five years, but they have just one Final Four berth to show for it. The difference this time around? This might be the best roster Kelvin Sampson's had when it comes to scoring the basketball. Houston's main challengers are No. 2 Tennessee and No. 3 Kentucky - two of the best from the mighty SEC. Read more ...
West Region
Florida enters on an absolute tear after ripping off 12 wins in its last 13 games and rolling to the SEC Tournament title. The Gators' offense is a juggernaut, and Walter Clayton Jr. is one of the best two-way guards in the country. The 2-seed in this region is a familiar face in a new spot as Rick Pitino has St. John's thriving in his second year with the program. The Red Storm represent the sixth school Pitino has taken to the NCAA Tournament, setting a new record for a coach. Read more ...
Featured analysis ✍️
Pitino's past made St. John's revival inevitable
Death, taxes, and Rick Pitino turning your basketball program around in short order. The 72-year-old is once again thriving in the sport, reviving a St. John's program that has struggled for national relevance over the past 30 years. The Red Storm's rise should come as no surprise - winning is simply what Pitino does regardless of where he goes. Read more ...
4 teams set to bust early brackets
While this tournament looks to be tilted more heavily toward the favorites than normal, there's still plenty of potential for early-round upsets and a Cinderella to emerge. Last year, Yale knocked off Auburn thanks to an incredible shooting performance by John Poulakidas. The sharpshooter is back this year as the Bulldogs look to make more noise. They feature alongside three other teams in our look at possible bracket-busters. Read more ...
Takeaways from NCAA tourney bracket release
Selection Sunday is rarely free from controversy, and this year's edition was no different. The SEC breaking the record with 14 teams in the field garnered the first headline, but what left a lasting impression was North Carolina being selected as an at-large team despite a laughable 1-12 record in Quad 1 games. The committee's disrespect of Michigan and the second-round trap awaiting Houston are among the other takeaways from Sunday. Read more ...
Betting tips 💵
Featured: 7 March Madness trends to consider for filling brackets, making bets
Whether filling out brackets or placing wagers, tons of information, data, and trends need to be sorted through to make educated picks. Let's dive into some to help you pick the games and win your brackets. Read more ...
See also:
- 5 tips for building a winning bracket without college hoops knowledge
- East Region betting: Can anyone knock off Duke?
- West Region betting: Florida heavily favored, St. John's brings value
- South Region betting preview (Tuesday p.m.)
- Midwest Region betting preview (Wednesday a.m.)
- 1st-round upsets to target (Wednesday p.m.)
- March Madness betting insights (Wednesday p.m.)
National champion odds