The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament begins in less than 24 hours and we wanted to give our audience a quick rundown of what will transpire in this year’s tournament from our Ballislife resident experts.

With the NCAA transfer portal operating as it is, it seems each season the tournament field is wide open. Teams with chemistry seem to have a big advantage, or do they?

Is it just a matter of getting hot at the right time, or is everyone on the team being satisfied with their role and, as important, their NIL status the bigger factor in tourney success? Either way some clear cut favorites and best bets have emerged to survive and advance to San Antonio.

NCAA East Region (Newark, N.J.) March 27-29

Will Despart, Ballislife Writer
As some of my colleagues do, I have difficulty fathoming the idea anyone in this region will beat Duke. The metrics say that Cooper Flagg and company are perhaps the best college basketball team in recent history, as its pre-tournament adjusted efficiency rating is the highest of any team post-2002. This is also not a very strong region to begin with. If anyone in the East will give Duke trouble, it will likely be No. 2 seed Alabama and the Crimson Tide’s high-powered offense in a game that’s played into the 100s.

Ronnie Flores, Ballislife Editor
That JUCO bandit Dana Altman is always in the mix to make a tourney run at Oregon, and wouldn’t a game vs. Arizona be great? Problem is Duke will be hard to deal with in this region, even if the ACC was a bit down. No. 14 seed Montana scares me and no way Alabama is going to shoot the cover off it four straight games to beat Duke. The Dukies will advance as long as Cooper Flagg is 80-90 percent.

Sara Jane Gamelli, Ballislife Managing Editor
This might be a corporate pick, but I’m taking the Duke Blue Devils to advance. As long as Cooper Flagg is healthy, there’s no team stopping them. The Blue Devils took care of No. 1 Auburn just fine, there’s a reason why they have the highest point differential in the NCAA. Saint Mary’s has a mean defense, but let’s not forget Duke who is one of the best defensive teams in the tournament.

Geoff Magliocchetti, Ballislife Writer
The region feels like Duke’s to lose, but so did last season’s festivities in the South until N.C. State came along. But after the Cooper Flagg-less Blue Devils rolled through North Carolina and Louisville in the ACC Tournament like the injury never even happened, it’s hard to envision anyone taking over that role from Raleigh, especially with equally fabulous freshman Kon Knueppel in tow. Alabama is the obvious choice at No. 2, but its defensive shortcomings will become equally glaring this time of year. The Tide is also trapped in a packed bottom of the bracket: BYU and VCU stands as one of the most intriguing first round matchups and the winner’s reward to a date with Big Ten runner-up Wisconsin.

Kyle Phillippi, Ballislife Writer
Taking the chalk in the East feels too easy, but it's the right pick. Duke is a machine. As long as Cooper Flagg stays upright, no team in this region has enough firepower to knock them off. A Sweet 16 surprise will come by way of No. 12 Liberty, the top 3-point shooting team in the field. Whoever wins between No. 6 BYU and No. 11. VCU should be able to upend No. 3 Wisconsin to move into the second weekend.

Luciano Vigliatore, Ballislife Writer
It's very hard to not choose the Duke Blue Devils to advance here. This team is deep and Cooper Flagg is showing the world why is the number one pick in this upcoming draft. Duke is a great defensive team as well and will be a problem for everyone in the East Region. It was a toss up between Duke and Alabama for me, but the presence of Cooper Flagg made me put Duke over the edge.

Ballislife East Region Final Four Tally: Duke 6/6.

NCAA Midwest Region (Indianapolis, Ind.) March 28-30

Will Despart, Ballislife Writer
Defense wins championships. This region has two of the three best defensive teams in the country in Houston and Tennessee and I would bet dollars to donuts that one of those units advances to the Final Four. I’m leaning toward Tennessee here, as Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack are the most stifling defensive backcourt in recent memory. Houston is part of a historically strong group of No. 1 seeds for a reason, but ultimately Tennessee has a more straightforward path through the region. Houston likely has the unenviable task of facing a red-hot Gonzaga team in the Round of 32 and the Zags are a top-10 quality team in a No. 8 seed’s clothing.

Ronnie Flores, Ballislife Editor
Tennessee’s Rick Barnes is basically in the wrong region, as Houston will be awfully tough to beat. Kelvin Sampson’s defenses are always on point in March. Barnes’ X and O’s tend to get a bit tight in March and his teams don’t play well from behind. Don’t count out Purdue but in my opinion, Houston is the safest bet to get to San Antonio. When the going gets tough, who is going to beat the Cougars?

Sara Jane Gamelli, Ballislife Managing Editor
I feel like I’m picking the safest bet here, but it feels right. I’m going with Will on this defensive part. Defense wins championships, and we’ve seen Houston dominant defensively for several years now. This is a team that’s been knocking on the door for years now. With a championship and several semifinal appearances, is this the year Houston gets it done? 5-3 against top 25 teams, Gonzaga won’t be a walk in the park if the Zags advance. Poised to meet against Tennessee, it won’t be easy. We have to remember Houston is having a historical season defensively. Allowing the second least points in the NCAA, can they make up for it on the offensive end?

Geoff Magliocchetti, Ballislife Writer
The Midwest is quite top heavy, making it anything but a walk in the park for a Houston program eager to prove its championship mettle. Should both sides handle business in round one, UH will face a Gonzaga group no doubt peeved over its status as an eight-seed. Mid-major darlings McNeese and High Point are also sticking around and should give their respective first-round foes Clemson and Purdue sterling challenges. The Cougs should still be favored if they survive, but SEC stalwarts Kentucky and Tennessee will likely have something to say about that. No Knoxville challenge is dead with Zakai Zeigler in tow, as the senior is fresh off his second conference Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Kyle Phillippi, Ballislife Writer
One of No. 12 McNeese State or No. 13 High Point will be playing in the second weekend. No. 6 Illinois is as streaky of a team as any. If they catch fire, the Illini give No. 2 Tennessee a test in the Sweet 16. Ultimately, the Vols are the pick in this region. The rigorous SEC prepared them for this moment and No. 1 Houston won't be able to get past them.

Luciano Vigliatore, Ballislife Writer
The Midwest Region felt a little easier to me as I can only see a handful of teams making it to the championship game. Seems like an obvious answer to me here as Houston has just been stout defensively and it is unbelievable at limiting teams to low percentage shots and just work so well as a unit. Houston is actually my pick to win March Madness over the likes of Florida, so I love backing Houston out of the Midwest.

Ballislife Midwest Region Final Four Tally: Houston 4/6, Tennessee 2/6

Note: The East and Midwest Region champs will meet in the NCAA Final Four semifinals on April 5 in San Antonio at the Alamodome.

NCAA South Region (Atlanta) March 28-30

Will Despart, Ballislife Writer
This feels like the trickiest region of the bracket, given Auburn’s aforementioned struggles to end the season despite having historically strong metrics. Louisville is also the most under-seeded team I can remember, somehow being stuck on the eight line despite finishing the season ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll. As crazy as it may sound, that 11/6 opening round matchup between North Carolina and Ole Miss might just have greater implications on this region than we could have ever imagined. I’ll leave it at that.

Everyone’s favorite No. 12 seed UC San Diego is in this region as well. Despite how bullish I was on the Tritons throughout the season, I really don’t love the way they match up against big man Vlad Goldin and No. 5 seed Michigan. Dusty May has been here before and I think the Wolverines should be fine there. The real upset candidate everyone should be eyeing in this region is No. 14 seed Lipscomb, who drew an Iowa State team that’s gone 9-8 in its last 17 games and will be without one of its stars in guard Keshon Gilbert. Keep the names Jacob Ognacevic and Joe Anderson in mind.

Ronnie Flores, Ballislife Editor
People say Auburn might be the best team in the country, but I wouldn’t bet Bruce Pearl over Tom Izzo. Izzo doesn’t have any superstars, but Sparty is getting it done with what it normally does: Defense, depth and defending the 3-point just good enough to offset their own shooting. I like No. 2 seed Michigan St. to come out of Atlanta.

Sara Jane Gamelli, Ballislife Managing Editor
This time, I’m not going to corporate. Fading No. 1 Auburn, the Tigers had a rough end to their season with losses against Texas A&M, Alabama, and Tennessee. I’m not convinced, even with Johni Brome. I do this every year, and they always fall short, but here we go. I’m going with the No. 2 Michigan St. Spartans. Tom Izzo has been in the business long enough to know what it takes to make a deep run in the tournament. While the Spartans have scorers in Jaden Akens and Jase Richardson, it’s their depth that poses a ton of threat. A solid defensive team, they finished out the year real strong, going 5-0 against ranked teams. Although conceding to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Semifinal, they have a bit of everything to sneak by.

Geoff Magliocchetti, Ballislife Writer
How much stock should one put into a “turrible” finish for Charles Barkley’s top-ranked Auburn Tigers? While the Tigers didn’t lose to any slouches (including fourth-ranked bracket mate Texas A&M), it exposed enough flaws that talented teams will take advantage of. The selection committee hardly did them any favors: a nationally-ranked Louisville team somehow fell to an eighth spot and the Cardinals have to get by a Creighton group trying to send Ryan Kalkbrenner out on a long-awaited high note. Fresh off a Big Ten title run, Michigan gets to face No. 12 seed UC San Diego, one of the basketball-loving public’s designated Cinderellas. That sets the stage for No. 2 Michigan State, eager to atone for March misfires both within and beyond its control, to take advantage at the bottom of the region, especially with Iowa State struggling late due in part to on-again, off-again chemistry caused by medical interruptions.

Kyle Phillippi, Ballislife Writer
No. 1 Auburn has dropped three of its last four games heading into the tourney. They're a far cry from their once-dominant start to the season. That's why this region is ripe for the taking for No. 2 Michigan State. Have you seen what Jase Richardson is doing for Sparty? The freshman has become a walking bucket down the stretch. Expect him to have a few memorable moments in this tourney.

Luciano Vigliatore, Ballislife Writer
This may come as a hot take to some, but I believe Ole Miss will be the team to beat in the South Region. While everyone is most likely betting on Auburn, I don’t think the Tigers will get it done in the West. Ole Miss is a sneaky good team, are above average at attacking the rim and on the defensive side, and I think it can ruffle some feathers. Obviously a hot take here, but I'll be backing Ole Miss.

Ballislife South Region Final Four Tally: Michigan St. 4/6, Ole Miss 1/6, Open 1/6

NCAA West Region (Indianapolis, Ind.) March 27-29

Will Despart, Ballislife Writer
Florida certainly feels like the favorite to win this region in theory, but I’m wary of the Gators since only one of the last five SEC Tournament champions has even made it to the Sweet 16. Fortunately, outside of a threatening Texas Tech team on the three-line and a No. 8 seeded UConn that you can never really count out, this region sets up nicely for a Gators’ run to the Final Four. I don’t think they would have too many problems with No. 2 seed St. John’s if the Johnnies make it that far. Florida’s strength on both ends of the floor should be enough to negate St. John’s elite defense in that matchup.

Ronnie Flores, Ballislife Editor
St. John’s is a great story, but it is shaky on offense. You have to shoot the cover off it in order to win four games, much less six, and the Johnnies won’t do it. Florida is not the slam dunk everyone thinks it is, but this region doesn’t have a lot of heavyweights. Texas Tech and J.T. Toppin can make some serious noise, but the Red Raiders can’t beat Florida. However, UConn and Maryland can play with the Gators and if either one pulls off the big upset I can envision Texas Tech going back to Texas from the West Coast still alive.

Geoff Magliocchetti, Ballislife Writer
It’s hard to find any one standout contender among the SEC surplus but that’s what makes the Florida Gators’ efforts all the more impressive. With Alex Condon handling the frontcourt situation and the backcourt tandem of Walter Clayton and Alijah Martin capable of igniting at any given point, Florida stands as the top seed with the most to work with, even over Flagg-free Duke. That should be enough to overcome the cherished story of St. John’s and the dangerous Texas Tech scoring duo of JT Toppin and Chance McMillian. Mid-major conference champions Drake and Colorado State won’t go down without a fight, while one would be silly to count out Danny Hurley and John Calipari’s respective groups from Connecticut and Arkansas. What Florida has done, however, is far too dangerous to overcome and it’ll be intriguing to see how the SEC gauntlet has prepared them for the national trek.

Sara Jane Gamelli, Ballislife Managing Editor
As a fellow UConn Husky, I can’t do it this year. As much passion as Dan Hurley has, I’ve seen the team collapse far too often. Rick Pitino and St. Johns proved doubters wrong with its first Big East Championship in 25 years. Inconsistent, I have to go with Florida here. 8-2 against top 25 teams, it ended the season strong against Alabama. Let’s not forget the Gators’ SEC title over Tennessee. The Gators have already beaten two of the best teams in the NCAA tournament, backed by a formidable backcourt of Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin. One of the best offensive powerhouses in the NCAA, this is a team that puts up over 85 points per game!

Kyle Phillippi, Ballislife Writer
Let's get wild here. Give me No. 11 Drake advancing to the Elite Eight for a bout with No. 1 Florida. The lower half of this region, which has No. 2 St. John’s and No. 3 Texas Tech, feels vulnerable. A 30-win Drake club is capable of a run. The Cinderella story will fizzle out when encountering the Gators, but not before they capture the heart of America.

Luciano Vigliatore, Ballislife Writer
Florida and Houston I have going to the finals, and there's no surprise why Florida is the second most bet on team to win March Madness. Bolstering a top 10 offense, a top 30 defense, and a top three rebounding team in the country is an obvious recipe for success for the Gators. Pair that up with some great 3-point shooting and I think they will get hot and be in the finals. Seems like a popular choice here but it’s hard to bet against the Gators.

Ballislife West Region Final Four Tally: Florida 5/6, Texas Tech 1/6

Note: The South and West Region champs will meet in the NCAA Final Four semifinals on April 5 in San Antonio at the Alamodome.

Editor’s Note: We’ll come back as a group and give our reading audience a bit more detailed analysis on the Sweet 16 teams and what we got right, and wrong, through the first weekend. Enjoy March Madness!