Men’s 2025 March Madness Preview: Leading Contenders & Lively Outsiders
Welcome to your favorite month of the year; March! Another installment of March Madness will soon be upon us; bringing with it a relentless wave of basketball chaos, buzzer-beaters, and jaw-dropping upsets. This year’s field is as stacked as ever, with Duke and Auburn leading the way after dominating all year long. Of course, in true March madness fashion; there are plenty of teams snapping at their heels. And eager to become the next Cinderella story. In this Men’s 2025 March Madness Preview guide, we will dig into the leading contenders, and figure out who is best placed to win it all.
The Leading Contenders
Duke Blue Devils (28-3)
Duke has emerged as the ACC’s finest in 2024-25. Putting a cap on their conference-winning season with an 82-69 victory over rivals North Carolina. Of course, the biggest story of the season has been Cooper Flagg, who looks destined to win the John Wooden Award. Of course thanks to his 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game; all of which lead the team.
There is no denying it, the kid is a generational prospect; and exactly the kind of talent that can propel a team to National Championship glory. He is not alone though. Kon Kneuppel is another very exciting freshman talent, averaging 13.7 points per game. Then there is also Khaman Malauch, who is an imposing presence at center, standing at 7-foot, 2-inches.
That’s a lot of height to handle, contributing to the Blue Devils being the tallest team in the NCAA this year, which certainly helps. With Sion James and Tyrese Proctor also offering a bit of experience and top-quality play at both ends of the court. It helps make this Duke side the most dangerous team entering March Madness this year. 10 of their conference games during the 2024-25 season have been won by 25 points or more; which is the most in ACC history and the most by a D1 side since 1991.
Oh, and for anyone wondering whether their gaudy numbers are as a result of playing in the ACC, they’re not. The Blue Devils easily swept aside Illinois and Arizona earlier this year, and also came out on top against Auburn. This is a top-quality team all around, led by one of the most exciting young talents we’ve ever seen. Worthy favorites for sure!
Men’s 2025 March Madness Preview: Leading Contenders & Lively Outsiders
Auburn Tigers (27-4)
Where Duke has Cooper Flagg, the Auburn Tigers have Johni Broome. The only other player in the nation in consideration for the Wooden Award. The shot-blocking, point-scoring machine has been a dominant force at both ends of the court for the Tigers. Helping them find their way to the top of a loaded SEC, with a 15-3 conference record. Their 85.2 points per game slots them in at fourth in the nation. Which combines very nicely with their top 10 three-point shooting defense.
Unfortunately, while back-to-back losses to close out the season is far from ideal. The Tigers are well-positioned to rebound and find their form when it matters most. Bruce Pearl has been the team’s head coach since 2014, bringing over three decades of experience. His coaching is helping the team notch 16 Quad 1 wins this year, which is by far the most.
Furthermore, aside from the back-to-back losses at the end of the year; Auburn has been a model of consistency and quality all year long. Which is saying a lot considering they have tackled the toughest schedule. They have been regular holders of the top spot on the AP Poll, and for good reason. Not only are they incredibly well-coached and talented across the board. But the presence of Johni Broome offers them an advantage that most teams can’t come close to.
Broome leads the team with 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game. Easily making him a standout player on the season. Even more good news for Auburn fans, though, is that he is backed up by four other players averaging double-digit points. Guys such as Chad Baker-Mazara, Miles Kelly, Tahaad Pettiford, and Denver Jones. The rest of the nation better hope these boys don’t find their rhythm in the tournament.
Men’s 2025 NCAA Tourney—The Next Best
Florida Gators (27-4)
The Florida Gators have also shown out very well in the fiercely competitive SEC this year, matching Auburn’s record of 27-4; but winning one fewer conference game. A strong finish to the season saw the team land 9 wins in their last 10 games to secure the second spot. Therefore, setting themselves up for a big March.
While not quite on the level of Flagg and Broome, Walter Clayton Junior has solidified his status as one of the best point guards in the nation, leading the team with 17.2 points and 4.3 assists per game. He is a fearless leader on a team that is surprisingly deep and ready to potentially shock the nation. Alijah Martin is second on the team with 14.5 points per game, closely followed by Will Richard’s 13.3 points per game. With Alex Condon also working his way into double-digits, along with a team-leading 8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, there is plenty to be excited about on this roster.
Collectively, those protagonists have propelled the Gators to sixth in the nation when it comes to scoring, averaging an impressive 84.5 points per game. They are also getting healthy at just the right time, with center Micah Handgloten returning and getting some minutes under his belt after his gruesome leg break last year. He adds some very useful depth and size to the team.
With impressive victories over the North Carolina Tar Heels, Tennessee Volunteers, and, more recently, Alabama, these Gators are primed and ready to make some noise this March.
2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament
Houston Cougars (27-4)
The Houston Cougars have worked their way to the top of the Big 12, thanks to their impressive 27-4 record. Their secret sauce comes on the defensive side of things. Conceding just 58.1 points per game, which is the best in the nation.
Having featured in six of the last seven NCAA Tournaments. This team is no stranger to performing well on the big stage, making their exits in each of the last two Regional Semifinals. Kelvin Sampson is a big reason why. He has over 35 years of coaching experience, including some in the NBA. And he absolutely knows how to maximize the output of his talented roster.
That talented roster is headlined by L.J Cryer on the offensive side of things; averaging 15.3 points per game. He is supported nicely by at least 10 points per game from each of: Emanuel Sharp, J’Wan Roberts, and Milos Uzan.
In addition to limiting their opponents to the fewest points in the nation. The Cougars are finding the bucket on 39.7% of their three-point attempts; which is fourth best in the nation. And get this… with all three of their guards shooting over 40% from deep.
Moreover, there is talent on the bench as well. Especially, with Mylik Wilson also above the 40% mark on three-pointers. And with Terrance Arceneaux averaging 7.4 points from his 21.5 minutes per game.
This combination of suffocating defense and clinical offense makes Houston one of the most intriguing teams to keep an eye on this March. If they can stay hot and continue their defensive dominance in this tourney. You would fancy them giving any of the teams listed above a good run for their money.
Men’s 2025 March Madness Preview: Lively Outsiders
The four teams listed above all like rock-solid studs, particularly with the top two being led by Wooden Award contenders. But, remember, this is March Madness. Cinderella stories and shocking upsets are a staple of this wonderful month of basketball chaos. So here are a few other names to keep an eye on.
First up, let’s talk about Michigan State. Head coach Tom Izzo knows a thing or two about winning games in March; having only missed one NCAA Tournament dating back to 1997. His Spartans are always a handful and nobody would be surprised to see them make a run.
Iowa State should also be in consideration. They are fielding five players averaging double-digit points. Led by Senior guard Curtis Jones, who leads the way with 17 points per game. St John’s Red Storm are also going to be in with a shot after their success in the Big East; topping the division with a 27-4 record. The Red Storm are fresh off their first outright Big East title-winning season since 1984. Led by superstar Junior R.J. Luis, who has broken out to post 18.1 points per game this season.
Of course, we should also expect strong showings from the likes of Alabama and Tennessee. Teams who have also shown up well in a stacked SEC this year. As always, we basketball fans are going to be treated to some scintillating action over the coming weeks. It really is the best time of year, so, do your research, kick back, relax, and enjoy the madness!
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