Michigan State has officially secured its place in the NCAA Tournament for the 27th consecutive year, marking the longest active streak in the nation. This announcement was made during the release of the 2025 March Madness bracket on Selection Sunday. Under the expert guidance of head coach Tom Izzo, who is in his 29th year at the helm, the Spartans have successfully advanced past the opening round in 21 of their previous tournament appearances.
The Spartans are entering the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the South Region, where they will face the No. 15 seed Bryant. Fans and analysts alike are eager to determine how far Michigan State will progress in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. With a season record of 27-6 and an impressive eight-game winning streak before their semifinal loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament, expectations are high. Tom Izzo is renowned for preparing his teams to excel in March, raising questions about the likelihood of another Final Four appearance for the Spartans.
Before finalizing your 2025 March Madness bracket picks, consider consulting the proven computer model at SportsLine. This advanced projection model has simulated every game in the tournament 10,000 times, consistently outperforming over 91 percent of all CBS Sports brackets in four of the last six tournaments. It accurately predicted UConn's championship run in the previous year and successfully identified 13 teams that reached the Sweet 16, as well as Alabama's Cinderella story to the Final Four as a 4-seed. The model has an impressive track record of spotting upsets, including 24 first-round surprises by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016. With such technology at your disposal, there’s no need to rely on luck when filling out your 2025 March Madness pools.
One intriguing matchup in the 2025 March Madness is the clash between No. 8 seed Mississippi State and No. 9 seed Baylor in the East Region. Mississippi State boasts the No. 6 scoring offense in the nation, averaging an impressive 79.8 points per game. Baylor will need to keep a close watch on sophomore guard Josh Hubbard, a standout shooter who averaged 18.7 points per game this season. His remarkable ability to sink three-pointers could pose a significant challenge for Baylor, especially following his six 3-pointers and 26-point performance against LSU in the SEC Tournament.
Baylor may counter Hubbard's shooting prowess with size, featuring 6-foot-7 guard Jalen Celestine and 6-foot-5 guard VJ Edgecombe in their lineup. Edgecombe, a freshman projected as a potential NBA lottery pick, has been averaging 15 points per game this season, adding another layer of complexity to this exciting matchup.
Another significant matchup to keep an eye on is the clash between BYU and VCU, a classic 6 vs. 11 seed battle. Under the leadership of head coach Kevin Young, BYU returns to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed, following a solid performance this season. Young will be eager to improve upon the previous year’s outcome, where BYU faced an early exit against No. 11 Duquesne. The Cougars enter this tournament riding a nine-game winning streak, only falling to top-seed Houston in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.
VCU, on the other hand, comes off a triumphant Atlantic 10 Championship season with a record of 28-6. Known for its defensive prowess, VCU ranks as the No. 6 scoring defense in the country, allowing just 62.5 points per game and holding opponents to a mere 39% shooting from the field, the seventh-best mark in college basketball. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest.
In the East Region, another highly anticipated matchup is between No. 3 seed Wisconsin and No. 14 seed Montana. The Badgers have showcased their strength this season by defeating three teams ranked in the top 10 and have excelled at the free-throw line, converting 83% of their attempts—crucial for success in March. Meanwhile, Montana enters the tournament after sweeping the Big Sky regular season and tournament, powered by an offense with a remarkable 50.2% field goal percentage, ranking second nationally. Five of their top seven scorers are converting at least 50% from the field, making them a formidable opponent.
As you ponder how far these major programs will advance and which Cinderella teams may emerge from the shadows during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, remember to leverage the model’s impressive track record of predicting bracket-busting upsets. Be sure to review the model's insights before finalizing your 2025 NCAA bracket picks to maximize your chances of success.
