Tensions flares this time of year. Upsets, dark horses, heroes, villains and Cinderellas arise as the NCAA March Madness tournament began on March 18. Teams from all Division I conferences congregate in this 68-team bracket-style tournament to bring peak athletics to television. Everyone from top-25 seeded teams to no-name underdogs will compete head-to-head for the “National Championship” title.
There is no telling who could emerge as the 2025 March Madness champion. The AP (Associated Press) Top 25 poll includes dominant teams such as Auburn, Houston, Alabama, St. Johns, Tennessee and Florida. According to the poll, the Cooper Flagg-led Duke Blue Devils are the frontrunners of this competition.
In previous years, teams like Drake, NC State, Furman, FAU, Yale and San Diego State were some of the most popular Cinderellas in this tournament, knocking off powerhouse teams like Kentucky, Tennessee, Purdue and Auburn, which were stacked with future NBA players. St. Johns, Florida, Maryland, Wisconsin and Louisville all came into the 2024-25 season with few expectations but are now not only AP Top 25 teams, but serious contenders coming into the playoffs.
Apart from NBA-bound prodigies like Cooper Flagg, VJ Edgecomb, Derrick Queen, Liam McNeeley, Asa Newell and Egor Demin, the biggest players this season have included RJ Luis Jr. (St. Johns), Zuby Ejiofor (St. Johns), John Tonje (Wisconsin), Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida), and Johni Broome (Auburn).
For many players and universities, March Madness is their best way to get national exposure and popularity. Additionally, the tournament is a key chance for breakout players to display their talent for scouts to see. Over the course of the month, feelings fluctuate and the best of collegiate sports is on display.
