The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket is officially set, with Auburn earning the No. 1 overall seed in the South Region. Other top seeds include Duke (East), Houston (Midwest), and Florida (West).
Auburn’s Path to the Top Seed
Auburn’s dominance throughout the season, including an SEC regular-season title and a 28-5 record, solidified its top ranking despite a late-season slump. The Tigers led the nation with 16 Quad 1 wins, overcoming a tough schedule.
Duke’s Strong Case for No. 1
Despite finishing 31-3 and winning both the ACC regular-season and tournament titles, Duke was edged out due to a weaker strength of schedule (57th nationally). However, with Cooper Flagg expected to return, Duke remains a championship favorite.
Bubble Watch: Who Made It?
- In: North Carolina, Texas
- Out: Indiana
Key First-Round Matchups to Watch
South Region
- No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 16 Alabama State/Saint Francis
- No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton
East Region
- No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s
- No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Vanderbilt
Midwest Region
- No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 SIU Edwardsville
- No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 Texas/Xavier
West Region
- No. 1 Florida vs. No. 16 Norfolk State
- No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas
With the bracket officially set, the Madness begins Thursday! 🏀🔥