Selection Sunday is here.
Can the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament brings the same drama as conference tournament weekend?
LIVE: Follow March Madness bracket updates from Selection Sunday
We still aren’t 100% sure who the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament will be. Auburn is out of the SEC tournament but still boasts the best resume. Will Florida or Tennessee join them as another No. 1 seed from the conference?
Will Duke be treated different because of the Cooper Flagg injury? The Blue Devils won the ACC tournament. Houston won the Big 12, and St. John’s won the Big East. Both teams won 30 games. Where do they fit in that conversation with long-time coaches Kelvin Sampson and Rick Pitino?
There still is more than enough bubble talk, too. Will North Carolina and Indiana get in the tournament despite shaky resumes?
Auburn, Duke, Houston and Florida are our No. 1 seeds heading into Selection Sunday. Tennessee could make it interesting.
- Last Four In: West Virginia, San Diego State, Texas, Indiana
- First Four Out: North Carolina, Boise State, Xavier, Ohio State
This year’s Final Four is April 5-7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Who is our Field of 68? Here is a closer look:
+- Clinched automatic bid
* – Projected automatic bid
** – Last four in
SN’s MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA scores | Full NCAA schedule | Printable brackt
March Madness 2025 bracket predictions
No. 1 Seeds
Auburn (28-5, 15-3 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 4, Net: 2. Is Auburn still the top overall seed? The Tigers lost 70-63 to Tennessee in the SEC tournament semifinals. The Tigers do have a commanding 16-4 record against Quad 1. What’s the catch? Auburn did lose three of its last five games. Either way, it looks like two SEC teams will get a No. 1 seed.
+Duke (31-3, 19-1 ACC)
Resume: KenPom: 1, Net: 1. Duke beat Louisville 73-62 in the ACC tournament championship without star forward Cooper Flagg. The Blue Devils have a head-to-head victory against Auburn and an 8-3 record against Quad 1. That could be enough to snag the top overall seed, but how will the Flagg injury factor in?
MORE: Duke avoids cruel fate Cincinnati suffered with Kenyon Martin injury in 2000
+Houston (30-4, 19-1 Big 12)
Resume: KenPom: 3, Net: 3. Houston won the Big 12 championship and is making a ploy for the top overall seed in the tournament. Milos Uzan scored 25 points against the Wildcats. Sporting News Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson might have his best team yet heading into the NCAA tournament.
+Florida (30-4, 14-4 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 2, Net: 4. The Gators have won 12 of their last 13 games and deserve some consideration for the top overall seed after their run through the SEC tournament, which concluded with a 86-77 victory against Tennessee. The Gators were 5-1 against Tennessee, Alabama and Auburn this season. Don’t be surprised if they emerge as the most-popular national championship pick.
BENDER: From football to fatherhood to the Final Four? Walter Clayton’s basketball journey
No. 2 Seeds
Alabama (25-8, 13-5 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 6, Net: 6. The Crimson Tide was outscored by 20 points in the second half against Florida in the SEC quarterfinals. That will keep the Crimson Tide on the No. 2 line despite a 11-7 against Quad 1. Nate Oats still has a team capable of another Final Four run.
Tennessee (27-7, 12-6 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 5, Net: 5. The Volunteers lost to Florida in the SEC championship game, but their spot on the No. 2 line is safe. Tennessee has a 10-6 record against Quad 1, and the Volunteers did not have a loss in Quads 2-4. It’s another strong season from long-time coach Rick Barnes. who has one Elite Eight appearance in 10 seasons with Tennessee.
Michigan State (27-6, 17-3 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 8, Net: 11. The Spartans lost to Wisconsin 77-71 in the Big Ten semifinals. Michigan State is 13-4 against Quad 1 – the second-highest win total among Division I schools, but that loss to the Badgers could mean a spot on the No. 2 line, especially if it becomes a head-to-head conversation with Auburn.
+St. John’s (30-4, 18-2 Big East)
Resume: KenPom: 12, Net: 13. The Red Storm won the Big East tournament under Rick Pitino with a 82-66 victory against Creighton. That should push St. John’s up to this line, and there could be conversations about a No. 1 seed. Can Pitino take a fourth school to the Final Four?
DECOURCY: Expanding NCAA Tournament is a solution looking for a problem
No. 3 Seeds
Texas Tech (25-8, 15-5 Big 12)
Resume: KenPom: 7, Net: 7. Injuries are a factor when breaking down the Red Raiders. Chance McMillian and Darrion Williams were out in a 86-80 loss to Arizona in the Big 12 semifinals on Friday. Texas Tech has a strong ranking combination, but they might have to settle for a No. 3 seed under second-year coach Grant McCasland.
Iowa State (24-9, 13-7 Big 12)
Resume: KenPom: 10, Net: 9. BYU beat Iowa State 96-92 in the Big 12 tournament, and that early exit likely will keep the Cyclones off the No. 2 line despite a 9-6 record in Quad 1. Iowa State will make its fourth straight tournament appearance under T.J. Otzelberger, and they have advanced to the Sweet 16 twice in that stretch.
*Wisconsin (26-8, 13-7 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 12, Net: 15. Wisconsin beat Michigan State for its third straight quality victory in as many days. John Tonje continued his red-hot weekend with a game-high 32 points. The Badgers are 16-8 in Quads 1-2 and don’t have a bad loss heading into the Big Ten championship game.
Kentucky (22-11, 10-8 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 16, Net: 14. The Wildcats are one of just five schools with 11 Quad 1 victories, but they got a reality check in a 99-70 blowout loss against Alabama in the SEC quarterfinals. First-year coach Mark Pope will now face the pressure of his first tournament appearance with the Wildcats.
No. 4 seeds
Arizona (22-12, 13-5 Big 12)
Resume: KenPom: 14, Net: 12. Arizona lost to Houston in the Big 12 tournament championship, but the Wildcats improved their stock with a strong showing. The Wildcats’ are 10-9 against Quad 1 teams, and that should keep them among the top four Big 12 teams on the first four lines.
Texas A&M (22-10, 11-7 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 17, Net: 18. The Aggies lost a 94-89 double-overtime thriller against rival Texas on Thursday, which got the Longhorns off the bubble and opened the door for Kentucky to take a No. 3 seed. Texas A&M does have a 8-7 record against Quad 1.
Michigan (24-9, 14-6 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 26, Net: 25. Michigan’s seed continues to fluctuate after Tre Donaldsons buzzer beater and a 81-80 victory against Maryland on Saturday. The Wolverines also won 86-68 against Purdue in the Big Ten quarterfinals. The Wolverines are 10-7 against Quad 1 and should stick on this line as a result.
Maryland (25-8, 14-6 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 13, Net: 10. Michigan beat Maryland in the Big Ten semifinals. The Terrapins could trade lines with Michigan as a result. Maryland did win eight of its last 10 games and has a better KenPom/Net combination.
No. 5 seeds
Purdue (22-11, 13-7 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 19, Net: 19. The Boilermakers lost to Michigan and likely will fall behind t in the Big Ten pecking order as a result. Purdue is 15-11 in Quads 1-2 and does not have a bad loss. Matt Painter has work to do in order to lead the Boilermakers back to the Final Four.
Clemson (27-6, 18-2 ACC)
Resume: KenPom: 18, Net: 22. The Tigers rallied late, but a wild 76-73 loss to Louisville likely drops Clemson to this line. A 4-2 record against Quad 1 will be a difference here despite the strong conference record in the ACC.
Louisville (27-7, 18-2 ACC)
Resume: KenPom: 23, Net: 23. Louisville enjoyed a nice run in the ACC tournament under Pat Kelsey, but it fell short against the Blue Devils. Guard Terrence Edwards Jr. averaged 25 points per game in the ACC tournament. The Cardinals might be one line below this when the bracket is released.
BYU (24-9, 14-6 Big 12)
Resume: KenPom: 24, Net: 24. The Cougars had their nine-game winning streak snapped in a 74-54 loss to Houston. Still, BYU is 7-6 in Quad 1 with two Quad 2 losses. The Cougars will hover between the No. 5 and No. 6 line, and it could go either way.
No. 6 seeds
Oregon (24-9, 12-8 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 31, Net: 29. The loss to Michigan State should not affect the Ducks’ seeding too much. Oregon is 9-6 in Quad 1 and will also hover between the No. 5 and No. 6 line.
Ole Miss (22-11, 10-8 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 25, Net: 28. Sean Pedulla hit a 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left to secure a 83-80 victory against Arkansas. Ole Miss lost 62-57 to Auburn in the quarterfinals. The Rebels own a 6-9 record against Quad 1, but they do not have a loss outside Quad 2.
Illinois (21-12, 12-8 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 20, Net: 17. Illinois had its four-game winning streak snapped in a 88-65 loss to Maryland in the Big Ten quarterfinals. The Illini have a 8-9 record in Quad 1, however, and they should hold on this line.
UCLA (22-10, 13-7 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 27, Net: 27. The Bruins have a 9-7 Quad 1 record, but there is little room for improvement after a 86-70 loss to Wisconsin in their first Big Ten tournament game. UCLA will make its fourth tournament appearance in the last five years under Mick Cronin.
No. 7 seeds
Missouri (22-11, 10-8 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 15, Net: 16. The Tigers lost to Florida in the SEC quarterfinals. Missouri’s resume is being under-valued a touch. The Tigers have a 7-10 record against Quad 1 without a loss in Quads 2-4. Dennis Gates has Missouri in the tournament for the second time in three years.
Saint Mary’s (28-5, 17-1 West Coast)
Resume: KenPom: 22, Net: 21. The Gaels dropped from No. 5 to No. 6 after the 58-51 loss to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference tournament. Saint Mary’s has a 4-3 record against Quad 1.
Kansas (21-12, 11-9 Big 12)
Resume: KenPom: 21, Net: 20. Kansas is a prime candidate to be over-seeded after splitting its last 10 games. That included three losses in four tries against ranked teams. Will the Jayhawks fall to the No. 8 line? Bill Self has a challenge heading into the tournament.
+Gonzaga (25-8, 14-4 West Coast)
Resume: KenPom: 9, Net: 8. The West Coast Conference champions are tough to seed. Will they be put a line or two below regular-season champion Saint Mary’s? Gonzaga ranks second in the nation in scoring offense at 86.6 points per game.
No. 8 seeds
*Memphis (28-5, 16-2 American)
Resume: KenPom: 51, Net: 48. Memphis held off Tulane 78-77 in the American Athletic Conference semifinals. PJ Haggerty scored 18 points and hit 14 of 14 free throws. Tigers coach Penny Hardaway is in line for a third straight tournament appearance, and a strong 6-1 Quad 1 record helps their case to move up. Bubble teams need Memphis to win the AAC. Is this too low?
Creighton (24-10, 15-5 Big East)
Resume: KenPom 36, Net: 37. Creighton lost to St. John’s in the Big East championship, and Marquette and UConn have better rankings combinations. The Bluejays split with Marquette and won two of three against UConn. That’s our justification for this line.
Mississippi State (21-11, 8-10 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 32, Net: 34. The Bulldogs’ late-season slide – which led to losses in five of their last seven games – continued against Missouri in the SEC tournament. That means sitting on the No. 8 line for the second consecutive season.
UConn (23-10, 14-6 Big East)
Resume: KenPom 35, Net 32. UConn or Marquette will take this spot. The Huskies are 13-9 against Quads 1-2. The Golden Eagles are 10-9. The Huskies, the two-time defending national champions, get the slight benefit of the doubt.
SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year
Rest of the field
No. 9 seeds
Marquette (23-10, 13-7 Big East)
Resume: KenPom: 28, Net: 26.
New Mexico (26-7, 17-3 MWC)
Resume: KenPom: 41, Net: 42.
Georgia (20-12, 8-10 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 34, Net: 33.
Baylor (19-14, 10-10 Big 12)
Resume: KenPom: 29, Net: 30.
No. 10 seeds
Arkansas (20-13, 8-10 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 40, Net: 40.
+VCU (28-6, 15-3 Atlantic-10)
Resume: KenPom: 30, Net: 31.
+Colorado State (25-9, 16-4 MWC)
Resume: KenPom: 45, Net: 50.
+Drake (30-3, 17-3 OVC)
Resume: KenPom: 58, Net: 56.
Utah State (26-7, 15-5 MWC)
Resume: KenPom: 51, Net: 37.
No. 11 seeds
+Drake (30-3, 17-3 OVC)
Resume: KenPom: 58, Net: 56.
Vanderbilt (20-12, 8-10 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 49, Net: 48.
Oklahoma (20-13, 6-12 SEC)
Resume: KenPom: 38, Net: 43.
**West Virginia (19-13, 10-10 Big 12)
Resume: KenPom: 53, Net: 51.
**San Diego State (21-9, 14-6 MWC)
Resume: KenPom: 46, Net: 52.
No. 12 seeds
+McNeese (27-6, 19-1 Southland)
Resume: KenPom: 58, Net: 56.
+Liberty (28-6, 13-5 C-USA)
Resume: KenPom: 62, Net: 60.
+UC-San Diego (30-4, 18-2 Big West)
Resume: KenPom: 36, Net: 35.
**Texas (19-15, 6-12 SEC)
Resume: KenPom 44, Net 39.
**Indiana (19-13, 10-10 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 48, Net: 54.
No. 13 seeds
+Yale (22-7, 13-1 Ivy)
Resume: KenPom: 74, Net: 72.
+Grand Canyon (26-7, 12-1 WAC)
Resume: KenPom: 93, Net: 92.
+High Point (29-5, 14-2 Big South)
Resume: KenPom: 84, Net: 82.
+Akron (28-6, 17-1 MAC)
Resume: KenPom: 99, Net: 91.
No. 14 seeds
+Lipscomb (25-9, 14-4 Atlantic Sun)
Resume: KenPom: 83, Net: 84.
+Troy (23-10, 13-5 Sun Belt)
Resume: KenPom: 98, Net: 99.
+UNC-Wilmington (27-7, 14-4 CAA)
Resume: KenPom: 105, Net: 102.
+Montana (25-9, 15-3 Big Sky)
Resume: KenPom: 157, Net: 141.
No. 15 seeds
+Robert Morris (26-8, 15-5 Horizon)
Resume: KenPom: 139, Net: 139.
+Wofford (19-15, 10-8 Southern)
Resume: KenPom: 120, Net: 131.
+Bryant (22-11, 14-2 America East)
Resume: KenPom: 149, Net: 141.
+Omaha (21-12, 13-3 Summit)
Resume: KenPom: 156, Net: 160.
No. 16 seeds
+Norfolk State (24-10, 11-3 MEAC)
Resume: KenPom: 180, Net: 183.
+SIU Edwardsville (22-11, 13-7 OVC)
Resume: KenPom: 217, Net: 216.
+**American (22-12, 13-5 Patriot)
Resume: KenPom: 237, Net: 226.
+**Mount St. Mary’s (22-12, 12-8 MAAC)
Resume: KenPom: 250, Net: 236.
+**Alabama State (19-15, 12-6 SWAC)
Resume: KenPom: 273, Net: 274.
+**Saint Francis, Pa. (16-17, 8-8 Northeast)
Resume: KenPom: 311, Net: 297.
Bubble watch
North Carolina (22-13, 13-7 ACC)
Resume: KenPom: 33, Net: 36. Like everyone else, we debated this week. North Carolina has the brand, but the committee will not be able to escape the ridicule of letting a team with a 1-12 record against Quad 1 into the tournament. We won’t be surprised, however, if the Tar Heels get in ahead of Texas or Indiana. For now, San Diego State will cash in that 73-70 win against Houston and take the final spot.
Xavier (21-11, 13-7 Big East)
Resume: KenPom: 43, Net: 45. The Musketeers lost 87-85 to Marquette in a heart-breaker, and that pushes the Musketeers back to the bubble. Can Xavier overcome a 1-9 record against Quad 1 and get in ahead of North Carolina or Boise State? This is the committee’s toughest decision.
Boise State (24-10, 14-6 MWC)
Resume: KenPom: 50, Net: 44. The Broncos might end up in the field, but they were on and off the bubble before a 69-56 loss to Colorado State in the Mountain West Conference championship game. Will the conference get five teams in?
Ohio State (17-15, 9-11 Big Ten)
Resume: KenPom: 39, Net: 41. The Buckeyes lost to Iowa 77-70 in the Big Ten tournament. Ohio State does have a 6-11 record against Quad 1, but they also have four Quad 2 losses.