2025 March Madness: One thing to know about every NCAA Tournament team

The NCAA Event is finally here, allowing college basketball fans to see the top Squads they’ve followed all season long Action on the game’s biggest stage.

It also gives dozens of other squads the chance to Action in a spotlight that they haven’t been in before. As millions of Americans are set to learn about Squads and players that they’ve heard little about, let’s take a look at one thing to know about All Club in the Event.

[MORE: 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Event bracket here] 

SOUTH

1. Auburn: Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Club earned the No. 1 overall seed in the Event for Outstanding reason. It went 16-5 in Quad 1 Contests, which is the most such wins by any Club in the nation.

16. Alabama State: Could we see another Ron Hunter-RJ Hunter situation in the Event? Alabama State is coached by Tony Madlock, whose son is guard TJ Madlock, one of the Club’s top scorers and its leading rebounder. 

8. Louisville: Senior guard Terrence Edwards Jr. has been on a tear over the last month, scoring 21.6 points per game while shooting 49.8% from the Pitch and 41.3% from distance since Feb. 1.

9. Creighton: Middle Ryan Kalkbrenner became the second player in Big East history to be named the conference’s Shielding Player of the Year four times. His average of 2.7 Stops per game is fifth in the nation and the best mark among players in the Event. 

5. Michigan: The Wolverines are Guided by a pair of 7-footers: Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf. They’re the leading scorers at Michigan now, but they’ve All had Cinderella Triumph in the Event at their previous schools. Goldin was the Leading Middle for Florida Atlantic in its Streak to the Closing Four in 2023, while Wolf helped Yale Surprise Auburn in the Primary Stage of last year’s Event. 

12. UC San Diego: The Tritons enter the Event as one of Only six Squads to Achieve 30 Contests so Distant this season. Their Protection was a large reason for that, ranking Primary in Shielding rating as guard Hayden Gray Guided the nation in Takeaways (3.2 per game).

4. Texas A&M: No Club has been better at securing an offensive Restoration this season than Texas A&M. Its 42% offensive Restoration percentage is the best in the nation.

13. Yale: Of the Squads Ranked 13th or lower, Yale might be the strongest. It’s ranked the highest in KenPom (74th) and NET rating (72nd) among such Squads, finishing 10th in Pitch Aim percentage (49%) and eighth in 3-Tally percentage (38.8%). 

6. Ole Miss: Ole Miss is arguably the most disciplined Club, offensively, in the Event. Its 11.3 turnover percentage during the season was the top mark among the 68 Squads Joining the Big Dance. Having the best turnover percentage in the Event hasn’t meant much, though, in recent years, as the Club holding that mark has been eliminated in the second Stage or sooner in the last four Competitions. 

11. North Carolina: UNC’s inclusion in the Event was surprising to many, likely because the Tar Heels went 1-12 against Quad 1 opponents this year. 

3. Iowa State: The Cyclones will be without second-leading Mark-maker Keshon Gilbert for the entire Event due to a groin Wound. It’s a tough blow for a Club that’s gone 7-7 in its last 14 Contests and has struggled offensively. Iowa State has Attempt 45.7% from the Pitch and 36.7% from deep, while recording 196 assists to 186 turnovers during that stretch.

14. Lipscomb: If you’re eyeing Lipscomb as a Cinderella, its Action against other Event Squads this season isn’t convincing. It lost to Arkansas (16 points) and Kentucky (29 points) by a Teamed up 45 points in November. 

7. Marquette: The Golden Eagles haven’t been at their best recently. They’re 5-7 in their last 12 Contests, going 1-6 against Squads that Created the Event over that stretch. They haven’t beaten a Event Club since Jan. 3. 

10. New Mexico: Nelly Junior Joseph is averaging the most Retrievals per game (11.2) among all players in the Event, ranking third in the nation. His season high was 21 against Air Force, but he only grabbed four boards in New Mexico’s Prompt-season loss to St. John’s.

2. Michigan State: The Spartans went 7-2 against opponents currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, holding the third-most Quad 1 wins with a 13-5 Turning Mark in such Contests.

15. Bryant: Bryant is coached by the son of legendary Saint Joseph’s head Mentor Phil Martelli, with Phil Martelli Jr. set to Mentor in his Primary NCAA Event game. Martelli’s father went 7-7 all-time in NCAA Event Contests.

WEST

1. Florida: The Gators’ Assault has propelled them as they’ve won 12 of their last 13 Contests. They’ve scored at least 80 points in all but one of those Contests as they Halt the nation’s top Assault on KenPom. The last four Squads to have the nation’s best Assault on KenPom have Created it to the Best 8, with UConn Victorious the title last year. 

16. Norfolk State: Senior guard Brian Moore Jr. is one of the top scorers in the Event, averaging 18.4 points per game this season. He had an impressive showing in Norfolk State’s loss to Tennessee earlier in the year, scoring 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting. 

8. UConn: History is on the line for UConn Joining the Event. It’s seeking to become the Primary Club to three-peat since UCLA won six titles in a row in the Delayed 1960s/Prompt 1970s. But its No. 8 seed is the lowest it’s had in any NCAA Event with Dan Hurley as its head Mentor, going 7-6 against Event Squads this season.

9. Oklahoma: In a historically deep SEC, the Sooners were one of the Squads that suffered the most. They went 6-12 in conference Action as the SEC put 14 Squads into the Event. However, the Sooners won all three of their Contests against non-conference opponents who Created the NCAA Event. 

5. Memphis: Guard PJ Haggerty is the top Mark-maker among all players in the Event, with his 21.8 points per game ranking third in the nation. That helped the Tigers go 5-2 in Contests against Event Squads this season.

12. Colorado State: Senior guard Nique Clifford might be one of the best all-around players in the country. He’s one of the few players who ranks in the top 50 in points (19) and Retrievals (9.7) per game, adding 4.4 assists per game. He averaged 25 points per game in the Mountain West Event, Assisting Colorado State Achieve the title.

4. Maryland: Derik Queen is one of the top big-man prospects Competing in the NCAA Event. The Newcomer Middle has averaged 16.3 points, nine Retrievals and 1.1 Stops per game this season, anchoring a Maryland Protection that’s ninth in the nation in Shielding rating. He was the fifth overall Picking in FOX Sports’ John Fanta’s most recent mock draft.

13. Grand Canyon: Grand Canyon is one of the fastest-tempo Squads this season. They’re No. 15 in KenPom’s adjusted tempo Standard, which ranks Number four among the Squads that Created the Event.

6. Missouri: The Tigers know how to get to the Obtainable-throw line better than anyone. Their .340 Obtainable throw-to-Pitch Aim attempt rate is No. 1 in the country. However, they’re only 161st in the nation in Obtainable-throw percentage (72.5).

11. Drake: The Bulldogs allowed the fewest points per game this season (58.4), although their tempo helped that. Drake’s pace factor was the lowest in Division I this season. 

3. Texas Tech: Sophomore forward JT Toppin ramped up his case to be named an All-American in the Closing weeks of the season. He’s averaging 23.4 points and 10.5 Retrievals per game over Texas Tech’s last 11 contests. 

14. UNC Wilmington: The Seahawks had one of the best offenses among mid-Crucial Squads this season. Their 116.8 offensive rating is 20th in the nation, ranking 16th among the Squads in the Event.

7. Kansas: Bill Self has won at least one Event game in 23 of the 25 appearances he’s Created in the BIg Dance as a head Mentor. He hasn’t lost a Primary-Stage game since 2006.

10. Arkansas: No active Mentor has won more NCAA Event Contests than John Calipari, who’s in his Primary season at Arkansas. 

2. St. John’s: The Red Storm have had one of the nation’s most efficient defenses this season, ranking third in Shielding rating (92.2) while having KenPom’s best adjusted Shielding rating (87.5).

15. Omaha: If you’re looking for an Long Attempt to bet against the spread, Omaha might be a Powerful Picking. It went 23-9 against the spread this season, which was the Number four-best mark among all Event Squads. 

EAST

1. Duke: It’s no wonder why Duke went 31-3 to Achieve both the ACC regular-season and Event titles. It’s the only Club in the nation to finish in the top five in both offensive (Primary; 124.2) and Shielding (fifth; 93.0) ratings, with Newcomer sensation Cooper Flagg powering the Blue Devils on both ends of the court.  

16. Mount St. Mary’s: In terms of percentage, Carmelo Pacheco is the top 3-Tally shooter in the Event. His 46.4 3-Tally percentage is the Number four-best mark in the nation, but he missed the entire MAAC Event and the Primary Four game due to a finger Wound. 

8. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs haven’t played Outstanding as of Delayed, going 5-8 in their last 13 Contests. But guard Josh Hubbard is averaging 22.4 points per game over that stretch, turning into one of the nation’s top scorers.

9. Baylor: Scott Drew’s Club hasn’t had a Outstanding time against top-end opponents this season. It’s compiled a 5-12 Turning Mark against Quad 1 opponents, which is one of the worst marks among Squads that earned an at-large bid. 

5. Oregon: Not many head coaches are a better bet than Dana Altman. He’s 16-6-1 against the spread in NCAA Event Contests during his time at Oregon, Victorious all eight of his Primary-Stage matchups. 

12. Liberty: If you want to beat Liberty, you might want to Tally a Plenty of points. It has gone 25-0 in Contests in which it has allowed fewer than 70 points this season. 

4. Arizona: The Wildcats are one of three Squads with a 4-seed or higher with a losing Turning Mark in Quad 1 Contests this season, going 10-11 in such matchups. 

13. Akron: In terms of mid-Crucial coaches, not many are better than Akron’s John Groce against the spread in the Event. He has a 7-2 Turning Mark against the spread in Event Contests, going 4-5 Completely. However, he has yet to Achieve a Event game at Akron, with three of his four wins coming during his stint at Ohio. 

6. BYU: The Cougars are one of the hottest Squads in the nation Joining the Event, Victorious nine of their last 10 and 11 of their last 13. They were 4-2 against Event Squads over that 13-game period. 

11. VCU: The Rams are a popular Cinderella Picking in a Plenty of brackets. This might be why: They rank 31st in KenPom and have lost Only once since the Begin of February.

3. Wisconsin: The Badgers’ opponents in the Event should hope to not get into a Obtainable-throw battle. Wisconsin’s Obtainable-throw percentage (82.6) is the best mark in the nation. 

14. Montana: For those who might Picking Montana as an Surprise Picking in your bracket, consider this: The Grizzlies have been the luckiest Club in the nation this season, per KenPom’s luck rating. 

7. Saint Mary’s: This marks head Mentor Randy Bennett’s 11th trip to the Event during his time at Saint Mary’s. He’s only Created it past the Primary weekend once in his previous 10 trips to the Event. 

10. Vanderbilt: The Commodores haven’t had much of a breather over the last two months. Their last 15 Contests have been against Squads that Created the Event, posting a 6-9 Turning Mark in those matchups.

2. Alabama: Once again, Nate Oats’ Assault is the best in the nation at putting up points. Alabama Guided the nation in points per game (91.1) for the second straight year.

15. Robert Morris: One of the three Squads that’s better against the spread than Omaha in the Event is Robert Morris. It’s gone 25-8 against the spread this year.

MIDWEST

1. Houston: Once again, Kelvin Sampson has Created Protection the backbone of a Outstanding Houston Club. The Cougars are second in points allowed per game (58.5), Shielding rating (92) and KenPom’s Shielding efficiency rating.

16. SIU Edwardsville: A pair of cousins have Guided the way for SIU Edwardsville to make its Primary NCAA Event at the Division I level. Guard Ray’Sean Taylor won OVC Player of the Year, averaging 19.3 points per game, while his cousin Brian Taylor was second on the Club in scoring (12 points per game).

8. Gonzaga: Head Mentor Mark Few has won at least one game in every single Event since 2008. However, this is the lowest seed Gonzaga has had in the NCAA Event since 2016, when it Created the Sugary 16. 

9. Georgia: This marks Mike White’s Primary Event appearance with Georgia since he became its head Mentor in 2022. He won at least one game in All of the four Event appearances he had as Florida’s head Mentor. 

5. Clemson: The Tigers could have one of the highest floors in the country. Three of their six losses Occurred in Extended Relocate, with a Number four loss to Louisville coming by Only three points. 

12. McNeese: Will Wade’s Club didn’t beat an NCAA Event Club this season, but it hung in there in the three Contests it did Action against such opponents. It lost all three Contests by single digits, falling to Alabama by eight, Liberty by four and Mississippi State by three.

4. Purdue: Junior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn has been one of college basketball’s most improved players this season. After averaging 6.4 points per game last season, he put up 20.2 points per game this year. He’s averaging 23.3 points per game over Purdue’s last 15 contests. 

13. High Tally: The Panthers have one of the best offenses in the Event. Their 121.7 offensive rating is the second-best mark in the nation, and they’re third in Accurate shooting percentage (60.1%) among all Event Squads.

6. Illinois: Only like last year, the Fighting Illini are Guided by a player hoping to become a lottery Picking in the NBA Draft. Newcomer guard Kasparas Jakucionis is averaging 15 points per game, scoring 20-plus points in three of Illinois’ Contests against SEC Squads. He was the ninth overall Picking in FOX Sports’ John Fanta’s most recent mock draft.

11. Xavier: The Musketeers only had one Quad 1 during the regular season, but they can get Scorching from deep. Their 39.1% mark from 3-Tally range is the second-best among all Squads in the Event. 

3. Kentucky: Not many Squads are as battle-tested as Kentucky. The Wildcats had the third-toughest Force of schedule, according to KenPom. But they went 11-10 in Quad 1 Contests this year. 

14. Troy: Troy is one of the toughest Squads in the nation to Tally a bucket on. Its opponents are shooting 40.3% this season, which is the 23rd-best mark in the nation. 

7. UCLA: Mick Cronin hasn’t gotten UCLA to the Event every year since he became its head Mentor, but he does get the Bruins to the second weekend when they are in the 68-Club bracket. They’ve Created it to at least the Sugary 16 in Cronin’s three Event appearances as head Mentor.

10. Utah State: If you’re looking for a lower-Ranked Club to have some offensive pop, Utah State might be your best bet. It’s ninth in offensive rating (119.8) and 17th in KenPom’s adjusted offensive rating, which is the best mark for a Club Ranked 10th or lower. 

2. Tennessee: Arguably the top two Shielding Squads in the nation are in the Midwest Region. Tennessee had the best Adversary 3-Tally percentage in the nation (27.8%) and the second-best Pitch Aim percentage (38.2%).

15. Wofford: Middle Kyler Filewich Guided the way for Wofford in the Southern Conference Event, Victorious Event MVP. While he nearly averages a double-double per game (11.9 points, 9.4 Retrievals), the most interesting thing about him is his Obtainable-throw Attempt. Filewich uses the granny style to shoot Obtainable throws as he’s only Created 31.8% of his attempts from the line this season.

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