2025 NCAA Bracket discussion

Auburn vs Michigan St
Duke vs Alabama
Florida vs St Johns
Duke vs Utah St
FINAL FOUR
Michigan St vs St Johns
Houston vs Duke
CHAMPIONSHIP
Michigan St vs. Duke
WINNER
Michigan St.

I think UC San Diego is a darling that might have pretty decent odds at making it to a Sweet 16.
Obviously it would take some luck, but I think the make-up of that team is just really solid.
I think Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, Hayden Gray, and Tyler McGhie make a pretty potent trio and I certainly don’t think the team is a championship contender or anything, but I think they were probably a heck of a lot closer to being a top 25 team than they got credit for (if they weren’t one). The perspective could always be skewed by the level of competition they had, and I think even if this is genuinely true they would have benefitted from playing other high level teams a lot more often, but I do think it’s worth recognizing that they seemed in a different tier from UC Irvine by the end of the season and Irvine was not weak sauce by any stretch.
They did also beat Utah State earlier on in the season, for whatever that’s worth (although that isn’t exactly awarding them a Sweet 16 birth all by itself).

I really like Bennett Stirtz and I feel as though he practically singlehandedly lifted Drake to a 13 win regular season, I’d love to see him get some March Madness recognition, but I don’t think that team has the juice to take out their in-state rival Missouri tbh.

I think Bryant is easily one of the better 15 seeds of recent memory, but I don’t see them taking out Michigan St. I think Wofford got CRAZY hot in their tournament and I picked them to beat Tennessee like a clown because if they (keep?) hitting like 60% of their three pointers it doesn’t matter if Tennessee has more talent or great defense, but I do recognize that’s absurdly unlikely and Tennessee is a powerhouse that is as LOW as a 2nd seed because of the ridiculous top-heavy nature of the NCAA this season.

I like High Point and think they can genuinely beat Purdue but I don’t think they have any one real standout and Juslin Bodo Bodo is going to have to put in a miraculous effort to contain Kaufman-Renn. Tyon Grant-Foster has had some god awful efficiency this season but I could see him becoming a tournament darling and rekindling some of the hype he had garnered last season, I think Grand Canyon is honestly pretty shaky but genuinely talented enough to take on teams like Maryland and Memphis in earnest if they hit their syncopation at the right time.

A few higher seeds gone out but some of the lower seeds had better records but came from lesser conferences.

Asa Newell is done with NCAA now as his team are out. Also quite a few super seniors having a high scoring farewell game. March Madness is beginning to hot up.

Colorado State well ahead vs Memphis so a 12th seed looks like its putting a 5th seed out.

Duke are thumping Mount St Marys Mount. Patrick Ngongba has been getting a few more minutes in recent games and looks an interesting prospect. He’ll likely return and could be their major big man match up option next season once Maluach is in the NBA.

Good to see Baylor get through as VJ can get at least another game in the tournament.

RMU gave Alabama a decent game and kept winning margin down to 9 points.

Donavan Dent still looks really good against this tough Marquette. His ballhandling is just so quick and shifty. Great matchup with Kam Jones her. I picked New Mexico to win this game and would have them going very deep in my bracket if they werent projected to play Michigan St. in the next round. Although I also had Utah St. going in the Elite Eight but UCLA killed them.

Did you guys see that one footed pull up three by Bennett Stirtz against Missouri? That was deliberate, he didnt have to do all that. The guy was proving a point.

Stirtz looked really good and certainly a name to keep an eye on if he declares. But with his shooting he’s going to get lots of good offers to stay in college for his final year.

UConn vs Oklahoma has the potential to be a tight game plus we get Fears and McNeeley two likely lottery picks showcasing their credentials. I see this site has shot Solo Ball up to 17th on their latest mock. I have him as a borderline first rounder if he declares.

Walter Clayton Jnr is a high second rounder for me. A team who fancies him might take him late in the first especially if it was a contender. Solo Ball would need a very good promise to declare IMO. He has had a fine season this year, won a title last year and has two years lucrative NIL money still available.

Never would have thought Arkansas could beat St. Johns let alone stand a chance. Coach Cals team has turned things around when it matters and he deserves a bit more respect than he is given. People tend to label him as just a good recruiter but time and time again he has proven to be successful in building and coaching some of the best teams in college basketball.

The emergence of Jonas Aidoo has been a big part in the Razorback’s success and its probably gonna get him into the NBA.

Depth will be a key factor in the tournament and not many teams have tended to go more than 8 deep in conference play but rosters with more scoring on the bench might do better than those with just a good 5 or 6 man rotation.

Both Wolverines and Aggies have had a bench guy go for 26 points tonight in their game. Goldin had another excellent game but does being pushing 24 count more in his chances of being drafted.

JT Toppin is having another good game for Texas Tech. Creighton is currently ahead vs Auburn at HT which could be the biggest shock so far. Johni Broome will have to get his scoring sneakers on. A couple of Creighton guys are having great 3 point shooting games so that looks the difference. A freshman called Jackson McAndrew is 4 out of 5 from beyond the 3 point line. He’s a guy I’ve not really noticed this season but he’s 6ft 10ins and if he can continue to develop could be a guy to watch next season and beyond in college.

Trey Kaufman-Renn had another huge game for Purdue. Surely he has to be considered a legit prospect now.

I picked Houston to win but Gonzaga is gonna be tough to beat. Something tells me theres an upset in the works.

Rick Pitino should not have benched RJ Luis. You gotta live and die by your stars in 2025 college hoops. These are pro athletes now with $$$ behind them. I’d imagine it maybe more difficult for hiom to recruit top athletes after this.

Darrion tickets a lot of boxes for today’s NBA, he has decent size, a developing creative game and good 3 point range. Certainly one to put in the notebooks if he declares.

Auburn back ahead but they will need to step up a gear if they get through as other teams have looked stronger IMO.

LJ Cryer had a big first half. BYU nearly 10 clear of higher seeded Badgers with no points yet from the Badgers bench.

The Badgers came back against BYU so lets see what Denim does now.

A name who was once high on a number of mocks but has fallen out of favour Aday Mara I noticed is having a decent game for UCLA Bruins. He hasn’t seen major game time in the last couple of years but has been playing a bit more recently. He is still only 19 years old and remains a potentially good shot blocking presence. Whilst he may not transition into an NBA player he’ll likely have a nice career back in Europe at least.

One of sports great myterious will always be hopw year after year Uconn manages to outperform their ranking ion the NCAA tournament. Doesnt matter the coach, players, decade they always have these teams and they are leading the dance tonight against Florida as well.

I really would not mind if Toronto drafted Proctor or Sion James with their 2nd round pick but the way they are playing I’m not sure either one of them will be available.

Illinois is starting to find success with Kentucky switching everything by getting their big to guard Boswell. Amari Williams got crossed up very badly by Boswell then sent to the bench.

Just as I wrote that Kentucky stopped switching which is also good for Illinois.

Nique Clifford has been the best player in the Col St Maryland game. I’ve been a big fan of his all year and Im always a big fan of Mountain West players and teams but at 23 years old it is going to be a tough sell to have him picked high in the draft. I have seen him go late lottery in some mocks though and really dont see how he doesnt end up being a good NBA player with how versatile his game is.

New Mexico St vs Michigan should be another great game. Out of all the teams in the topurnament Michigan St had the most fastbreak poiints this season and New Mexico had the 2nsd most. Should be exciting.

Derrik Queen with the game winner!! Lets go Terppsss!!!

Telling your coach give me the mf’ing ball in the timeout and then hitting the gqamewinner is legendary stuff.

Close first half Maryland vs Florida. Should be a fun finish. Really want Maryland to win it all this year, I’ve been a fan since the first time I watched Queen play. The other team I wouldnt mind seeing win is Michigan St. I think Duke has the best team though and I picked Florida to win this game in my bracket.

Derik Queen has had another great game with 27 points against No 1 seeded Gators. But the Gators bench made the difference with Haugh and Aberdeen both hitting double figures.

The Crimson Tide went on a Steph like 3 point shooting spree and thrashed BYU. and are back in the Elite 8. They could well give Duke their toughest game if they play like that if the team’s meet.

Its crazy to see Arkansas in the sweet 16. They were out of sorts at points this year, I thought they were done for yet here they are thoroughly outplaying Texas Tech in the 1st half.

Arizona gave Duke a good game. I didn’t watch the match but looking at the highlights the Wildcats got back within about 5 with decent time on the clock. It wasn’t that the game was over and Duke took their foot off the pedal or went to their bench guys. Cooper pretty much needed to have his game otherwise it could have been much closer.

Duke vs Alabama could be an outstanding game. I hope the Crimson Tide still have their shooting range as we will then see if Cooper has to step up again.

Im not sure how high Clayton Jr. can go being 22 and measuring at 6’2.5 w/o shoes and a 6’4 wingspan, but hes defenitely proven he is an NBA talent. I’ve seen him have some phenomenal games and he makes alot of difficult shots look easy. Theres defenitely a role for him at the next level. Very and poised solid player.

Duke’s done a great job of just controlling this game, Bama has had their runs but Duke always calms down and hits them back. Duke is forcing Alabam into situations where they are uncomfortable and and Alabam has been forcing the issue. They completely shutdown Alabama’sfastbreak.

Maluach has been incredible here. He has been a monster under the rim but has also been switched onto Sears a few times and Alabam quickly learned that was not only something they cannot exploit but also something they want to stay away from.

Philon has been Alabam’s best player. I think hes a lock for the 1st round. Hes got special instincts/anticipation.

Duke can guard teams 5 feet outside of the three point line because they always have Flagg and/or Maluach lurking in the help position. Very good defensive team performance.

Sears only hitting 6 points effectively meant there was no way Alabama could win unless Duke had a useless shooting night. Maluach playing alongside Flagg has meant his basic numbers won’t ever jump out but he has size and a good understanding for the game. After Flagg I expect him to be the next big drafted and I think he stands a legit chance of going at Number 5.

Kon Knueppel looks a certain lottery pick and I agree Philon did his chances no harm and will have suitors in mid to late first round if he enters.

With players already entering the portal and getting transfers I wonder if some of the guys who are possible draftees start testing the waters to see what NIL offers they might get and then have something to gage their draft status against.

Johni Broome is the difference in this game. The guy is in beast mode.

Were a couple of Yaxel’s early college years in a junior programme and not at full NCAA level?

That is the only reason I can think of why he’d be able to enter the portal. If he could get another years NIL money compared to possibly only getting a two way deal I could see him looking to max out his college eligibility.

Yaxel pushing 23 is a bit like Goldin pushing 24 as far as their upside is concerned. But Yaxel with his playmaking ability as a forward would be of huge interest to a lot of colleges.

Yaxel I like his versatility too and can play 3 to 5 possibly in the NBA. I guess he is keeping all options open and being 23 this year is going to pretty much count against him as much as being 24 next year. With so many super seniors having to declare this year if he can get another year’s eligibility or more then he can likewly make more staying in college.

He’d be pretty near the top of any transfer list if we assume that a number of the top guys who remain in college will stay on their current teams if they return. I’ve not seen an updated list of top players who have entered the portal for a few days so I’m only going on my on view.

Didnt they fix it so you can enter the transfer portal but still enter the draft process. Actually I’m pretty sure Johni Broome did that after his sophmore year.

You can never have enough options and it gives players bargaining power if they know there is NBA interest and it puts them in closer contact with the NBA teams maybe have a meeting or two. If they come across well there then it does them no harm when they do declare/have to declare.

The top prospects pretty much want to get to the NBA ASAP to get towards the 2nd contract but those a tier down or works in progress can certainly use NIL money in their favour.

Norrin it looks like your guy Wooley transferred to Louisville!!!

Jayden would be pretty much the highest ranked player on next year’s mocks to enter the portal. He’d have been a lottery pick this year IMO if he had been eligible. I’d think one of the powerhouse Unis would have a lot of interest in him. Duke with Maluach and Flagg both pretty likely to declare could pair him with Cam Boozer. UConn could be a good landing space too. If Danny Wolf stays at Michigan you could have a great pairing there too.

Donavan Dent to UCLA is a big one
Bennett Stirtz to Iowa
Tucker DeVries to Indiana
Joson Sanon to St Johns
Obi Agbim to Baylor
Dailyn Swain to Texas
Oscar Cluff to Purdue

I guess if Unis have a billionaire former student who will put up a load of NIL money then top none certain NBA talent would likely go there for a pay day.
What if someone offered stupid money for guys to stay in college. Might we see guys who aren’t guaranteed high picks but a top college player staying in college longer. Cooper Flagg is rumoured to make nearly $6 million this season. AJ Dybantsa is supposed to have a$5 million plus deal for next season.
Mark Sears and RJ Davis who will likely be 2nd round picks at best both made over $2.5 million each this season so have had a good payday before they go to the full pro ranks.

Yaxel and Wolf in the frontcourt as a pair of prolific rebounding and creative point forwards would be great to watch. Yaxel could actually be an upgrade on Goldin who formed one of the best NCAA frontcourts with Wolf this season. Cadeau is a good pick up too and should improve in his final two years in college.

Yaxel exploring draft options too, is he looking to play one off against the other and trying to secure the highest possible place he can be picked. For example the 30th pick last year Baylor Scheierman is making just under $2.5 million this year and $2.6 million next season which could be similar to Yaxel’s NIL deal.

Or could Yaxel be looking at being a 2nd round pick and getting the sort of guaranteed deal for 3 years that Bronny got. I don’t think first round picks can have the 3rd year guaranteed regardless can they?

Walter Clayton is taking over this Final Four game.

Im just gonna go ahead and say it. Auburns been getting the favorable whistle all game.

Clayton has gone up a gear in the 2nd half.

Thats game. Florida does it again.

Florida have good size so can mix it with Flagg and Maluach on the boards. Would Duke put Flagg on Clayton in the Final if they get through I wonder?

Great comeback from Houston and a wonderful team effort to shut down the rest of Duke’s scoring apart from Copper and Kon.

The title game is too close to call between two experienced teams. Clayton has been huge over the last couple of games and you could say his efforts deserve a title but Houston has never won a final and have been very close over last few years.

I just wonder would Duke have lost such a lead if Mike K had been their head coach?

Also imagine Coach K having been able to use the transfer portal. I could have seen Mike K carefully selecting high calibur complimentary players to have gone around his star freshmen and being even stronger than they were on occasion in some of his later years.

Duke would have got good NIL money and any player looking to improve their game whilst in college would surely have wanted to play under one of the greatest NCAA coaches ever.

I’m edging towards Florida if Clayton keeps his hot streak up. But Houston shut down Flagg and co so could do the same to Florida and it would be a first title for them too.

I’m pretty neutral about who I’d root for so I just hope everyone enjoys the game.

I got Houston in a nailbiter.

Is Tugler vs. Chinyelu the largest h2h ape index matchup of all time?

I also just wanna point out the mock draft has been absolutely terrible this year. Ive always been supportive of this site even was a bit of a homer in the draftexpress vs nbadraftnet days. But not this year. I’ll admit its gotten better with this recent mock but its still just bad.

Whats the deal with Boogie Fland. Whoever is doing the mock why cant you give it up? He’s not going in the lottery , if he was he wouldnt have returned to play. Then theres Khaman Maluach, Even if you are down on the guy it doesn’t change the fact that he’s getting looks in the lottery and even in the top 5 teams are gonna be looking at him. The mock draft is not a big board its projecting what who teams are gonna pick.

Anyways thats my rant. I was just thinking about people that just pop in to check out the site maybe once a month to see where the prospects are ranked they will see Fland at #11 and Maluach at #21. Solo Ball ahead of McNeeley?Chaz Lanier is another guy, hes been high all year. Whos cutting these guys cheques this year? Cmon man!

A few thoughts. Theyre just taking the ball right out of Claytons hands, hes done pretty well making the right play not forcing bad shots but its pretty clear Florida cant beat Houston if Clayton doesnt have a big night or at least get hot.

The elevated court is beyond dumb.

Cryer is gonna get a job in the NBA for sure. Hes had moments where he was a lights out shooter.

Houston’s gonna go undefeated next year. Cenac Jr and Harwell coming in. Uzan and Sharpe likely returning, plus Tugler. I dont see how anybody can top that.

What a game.

I want OT.

You gotta feel bad for Sharpe after this one.

Just watched the final highlights and that was an old school tough basketball game. I know these games are only 40 minutes but it was a real grind without the lights out scoring and shooting we get in the NBA. If one team had been in shooting mode then they could have easily won it.

Houston were unlucky and kept Clayton to only 11 points.But Houston have a good incoming class and like Duke should be contenders again next season. Florida will need to rebuild but as Champions will be a very attractive prospect for any top transfers.

It will be interesting to see who decides to stay in college as this could hugely impact which teams will be NCAA contenders next season. Also still waiting to see who Nate Ament and Tyran Stokes commit to for next year. Nate is a consensus top 5 recruit and even listed as 3rd best on some early mocks, so he could shoot a team up the recruiting rankings if he decides to join them.

Cedric Coward – Has entered the portal.
Jamir Watkins- Entered the portal.
Darrion Williams – Entered the portal. (I was actually hoping he wpuld be available for the Raptors 2nd round pick).
Ian Jackson – Entered the portal
Xavian Lee – Entered the portal.
Kenan Catchings – Entered the portal.
Tyler Harris Entered the portal.
Aaronn Bradshaw
Zvonimir Ivisic to Illinois to play Entere Entered the portal.d the portal.with his brother. That should be fun.
Robert Wright of Baylor goes to BYU to replace Demin. Thats a huge opickup for the Cougars.
Tre Donaldson to Miami
Jalil Bathea to Alabama
Mackenzie Mgbako to NC State (dont like this one at all for Mgbako)
Vyctourious Miller to Oklaholma State
Corey Chase to Ole Miss

News broke out that Blake Harper was committing to Maryland but he shot down that rumor fairly quickly. Georgetown and Virginia Tech seem to also be in play.

Jaron Pierre Jr. is leaning towards going to Kentucky it seems. Kentucky has arguably the best transfer class right now. Quaintance; Lowe (Pitt), Dioubate, Kam Williams. They are also interested in Xavier Lee. Its very cleak UK has deep pockets.

Michigan also has a great class with Landeborg, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson (Illinois) to replace Goldin and Wolf but they also lost Donaldson and Walters.

Aday Mara was high on mocks a couple of years back but struggled at UCLA for his first season and a half. But seemed to be getting to grips with the NCAA towards the end of his Soph season. He only turned 20 last week and as a 7ft 3ins prospect is still a guy who could develop. Rasher Fleming and Danny Wolf both really shone in their junior year and Aday could do similar.

I noticed on ESPN’s top 100 transfer guys that some guys who had already played 4 full seasons or more had entered the portal. ESPN actually said they don’t know how these guys would get extra eligibility.

My thought would be if these guys tried to do it might the likes of Johni Broome try to get an extra year. If he is a later first round or early 2nd round guy he could make better money in college if he could get an extra year’s eligibility. The sort of money JT Toppin is making, I’d think BRoome could make similar.

Mara I’d see as much more of a defensive anchor than Wolf was and Mara isn’t the ball handler that Wolf is. Yaxel I’d say would be more like for like for Wolf with Mara taking the Goldin role.

However Maea and the Wolverines are a good fit for each other.

I was once the person who thought Mara could be better than Zach Edey bit I don’t go on about that.

Mara did have some nice passing in his early highlights reel so hopefully Dusty May can revive that part of his skillset.

PJ Haggerty of Memphis Tigers has entered the portal. He’d be a top 3 guy on that list for me and probably one of the top couple of “free agents”. He has two seasons of eligibility left which makes him even more valuable. I’ve no idea where he might go but Florida lost Clayton and Alabama lost Sears so he could be options there.

5 star prospect Shelton Henderson decommitted from Duke. Pretty big news.

I feel like we need a new thread.

Talk that Shelton may go to Miami Hurricanes as Jai Lucas who was on Duke’s staff has taken on HC role there and had played a part in recruiting Shelton. Also Houston mentioned. Duke still have 3 top 20 freshmen incoming and could land Nate Ament plus they will likely add a quality guy or two from the transfer portal so I’d not worry too much about them.