Elite Eight groups ranked by championship possibilities in 2025 males’s March Insanity

The 2025 males’s NCAA match solely has eight groups left standing. This has been one of many chalkiest tournaments in latest March Insanity historical past, with the higher-seeded groups advancing by the bracket with little hassle. All 4 No. 1 seeds are nonetheless alive as we attain the Elite Eight, and No. 3 seed Texas Tech is the closest factor left to a Cinderella.

Duke and Florida proceed to appear to be the favorites for the nationwide championship. It’s a toss-up proper now on which group is extra spectacular. The Blue Devils have a singular celebrity in freshman ahead Cooper Flagg and so a lot of nice items round him. Florida is a real collective, with three standout guards and one of the best huge man rotation left within the discipline. They each face stiff checks within the Elite Eight, however something lower than a title sport collision course might be a shock.

Let’s rank the eight groups left within the discipline by their nationwide championship possibilities.

8. Michigan State Spartans

Tom Izzo is on the doorstep of his ninth Closing 4 look, and like a lot of his signature groups, these Spartans get the job accomplished by doing the soiled work. Michigan State is elite at protection, rebounding, and shutting out on opposing shooters, and that’s been sufficient to get them to the regional remaining. The offense will be an eyesore at occasions, placing an enormous burden on the shoulders of freshman guard Jase Richardson. Richardson is a projected lottery choose for a cause, and his nuclear capturing and high-IQ flooring sport shined within the Candy 16 win over Ole Miss. Jaden Akins has to ship secondary scoring for the Spartans to proceed their run, and it helps when Coen Carr is trying like a human spotlight reel in transition. It normally isn’t very fairly, however Izzo’s model of ball is once more advancing far into the bracket.

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7. Texas Tech Pink Raiders

Texas Tech’s season was in imminent demise because it trailed Arkansas by 16 factors with below 12 minutes to go within the Candy 16. That’s when the Pink Raiders determined the lock in, ending regulation on a 29-13 run to power time beyond regulation and ultimately push their manner into the Elite Eight. Star ahead Darrion Williams had a tough capturing night time till he took over late, hitting a three-pointer to tie the sport on the finish of the second half, after which hitting the game-winning layup with seven seconds left in OT. The mix of Williams and massive man JT Toppin offers the Pink Raiders an opportunity in any matchup. Maintaining freshman wing Christian Anderson going (22 factors within the Candy 16) would give them the supplemental scorer they want. Texas Tech’s perimeter protection can nonetheless be a bit shaky which is an enormous concern in opposition to Florida, however this group clearly is aware of the best way to dig deep and let their stars carry them throughout the end line.

6. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee is again within the Elite Eight for the second straight season, and it’s nonetheless searching for this system’s first-ever Closing 4 look. The Vols get it accomplished on the defensive finish, and so they suffocated UCLA within the spherical of 32 and Kentucky within the Candy 16 to get again to the regional remaining. Zakai Zeigler is the heart-and-soul of the Vols as a pint-sized fifth-year level guard, and he placed on a present with 18 factors and 10 assists over the Wildcats. Zeigler’s stunning offensive aggression paired properly with Chaz Lanier’s perimeter scoring to maintain the Vols’ buzzing. Tennessee vs. Houston might be a showdown of the nation’s two greatest defenses remaining. With buckets at a premium, Zeigler sustaining his scorching play might be important.

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5. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama was a nationwide title favourite coming into the season. Whereas the Crimson Tide have been a very good group all yr, their championship ceiling hasn’t come out a lot. That modified within the Candy 16 in opposition to BYU, when Alabama torched the nets for one of many nice offensive performances you’ll ever see. The Tide scored 113 factors, ripped 25 made three-pointers at a 49 p.c clip, and persistently obtained the free throw line of their rout of the Cougars. Mark Sears was at all times the participant that might make this group go. He didn’t reside up the preseason Nationwide Participant of the 12 months hype, however he nonetheless has an opportunity to be a March Insanity hero. Sears’ 10 made three-pointers vs. BYU have been proof that he can nonetheless takeover a sport when he’s scorching. With mighty Duke looming subsequent, Sears must one way or the other be one of the best participant on the ground once more if Bama needs to make a second straight Closing 4 look.

4. Houston Cougars

Houston’s aggressive hedges in ball display actions met its match in opposition to elite Purdue level guard Braden Smith within the Candy 16. Smith was capable of prolong his dribble and discover open shooters throughout the court docket in a manner most groups can’t in opposition to the Cougars. Houston wanted to win this with offense, and head coach Kelvin Sampson’s lovely ATO with two seconds left delivered the victory. Milos Uzan might be remembered for hitting the game-winner because the inbounds passer, however his three-point capturing (6-of-9 from deep) and playmaking stored Houston in entrance properly earlier than that. Uzan is popping into precisely what Houston’s offense wanted to keep away from lengthy droughts. If it needs to make the Closing 4 for the second time below Sampson, LJ Cryer wants to search out his comfy zone, too. Houston-Tennessee is about to be the last word rock battle, however that’s simply the best way the Cougars prefer it.

Photograph by Wealthy von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs

3. Auburn Tigers

Michigan had Auburn on the ropes within the Candy 16 with a nine-point benefit within the second half. The Tigers have been pounding the ball inside star Johni Broome on the block, however Michigan’s measurement was forcing him into misses and turnovers. Lastly, Bruce Pearl remembered his group has a couple of strategy to win. Auburn began getting its guards free going downhill, and all of a sudden the Wolverines’ lead evaporated and the Tigers have been going to the Elite Eight. Tahaad Pettiford is a hell of a changeup for the Auburn offense as an extremely slippery guard who creates a lot house in any path and has exceptional capturing contact. Denver Jones additionally discovered his offense off the bounce in opposition to Michigan, hitting some acrobatic photographs when the post-ups weren’t dropping. Auburn was one of the best group within the nation for the primary 80 p.c of this season, however they simply haven’t appeared proper for the reason that finish of the common season. This win was a reminder that the Tigers nonetheless have the horses to tug away from anybody, supplied Pearl is pushing the fitting buttons.

2. Florida Gators

Florida’s depth and steadiness have been on full show in its Candy 16 win over Maryland. The Gators had six gamers rating in double-figures led by Will Richard’s 15 factors. Florida was capable of cease Maryland’s highly effective inside scoring assault whilst star heart Alex Condon turned his ankle because of its unbelievable entrance court docket depth. Head coach Todd Golden has this group buzzing proper now: Walter Clayton Jr. is a star who can drag the Gators over the end line, Richard and Alijah Martin are nice defenders who can rating on cuts and drives, and there’s a lot measurement up entrance to scrub the glass and defend the rim. Florida looks like a particular group proper now largely as a result of all the items match completely. Winners of 15 of their final 16 video games in opposition to a powerful schedule, the Gators don’t plan on slowing down anytime quickly.

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1. Duke Blue Devils

Cooper Flagg performed arguably one of the best sport of his transcendent younger profession in Duke’s Candy 16 win over Arizona, ending with 30 factors, seven assists, six rebounds, and three blocks within the win. Flagg impacts the sport in each space, and his latest growth as a three-point shooter (43 p.c from deep since turning 18 on Dec. 21) and lead ball handler is the stuff of superstars. Duke is excess of a one-man present, although. Fellow freshman Khaman Maluach is the most important participant left within the match and is a power on the rim on each ends due to his measurement. Kon Knueppel is Duke’s third freshman lottery choose who retains the offense going with shot-making and pick-and-roll creation. Sion James is the unsung hero as a 6’6 Swiss Military Knife who defends each place, handles and passes in transition, and is all of a sudden scorching as a shooter. Duke checks each field for a nationwide championship group. The stress is on Jon Scheyer to ship, as a result of the Blue Devils’ greatest sport feels higher than anybody else’s.