Seattle, WA – The 2025 NCAA Tournament is set to kick off this Friday, and the Maryland Terrapins are looking to make a strong impression as a No. 4 seed in the West Region. After finishing the season with a solid record, winning 14 of their last 18 games, the Terps are hoping to turn their recent near-misses into triumphs. Their last four losses all came down to the wire, with opponents hitting game-winners in the final ten seconds. Now, they will face No. 13 seed Grand Canyon at approximately 4:35 p.m. ET.
The Michigan Wolverines, who emerged champions of the Big Ten Tournament, have also made their mark as a No. 5 seed in the South Region, set to clash with No. 12 seed UC San Diego. The question on many playoff watchers’ minds is whether Michigan can carry their momentum forward or if the Tritons could pull off a surprise in this year’s brackets.
As fans fill out their brackets, one intriguing matchup in the East Region stands out: No. 8 seed Mississippi State taking on No. 9 seed Baylor. Mississippi State is known for its strong defense, averaging 9.2 steals per game, which places them 16th in the country. Baylor counters with their star forward, Norchad Omier, who has been a force on the court, averaging 15.9 points and 10.9 rebounds this season.
The East Region also features an interesting 6 vs. 11 matchup between BYU and VCU. With a new coach at BYU this season, players like Richie Saunders and Trevin Knell are stepping up alongside some fresh talent. VCU, under second-year coach Ryan Odom, has been making waves with their efficient play, ranking high in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
In another noteworthy matchup, No. 3 seed Wisconsin will go head to head with No. 14 seed Montana. Montana has shown impressive offensive capabilities, with a top ten effective field goal percentage. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is known for their struggle against double-digit seeds in recent tournaments.
As the countdown to tip-off begins, fans are eager to see which major programs advance and whether any underdogs will capture the spotlight this March Madness. For those looking for an edge in their predictions, several models have been simulating matchups and analyzing data, helping bracketologists make better-informed choices.
As the tournament unfolds, excitement builds about which teams will shine and which upsets could shake the college basketball landscape. Tune in as the journey through the 2025 NCAA Tournament begins!
