March Madness 2025: Expert Insights and Strategies for Bracket Success

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — March Madness is officially here, and college basketball fans are gearing up for the excitement of the NCAA Tournament, which begins with the first-round games on March 20, 2025. As anticipation builds for this annual spectacle, sports analysts at The Athletic are providing comprehensive insights to help fans navigate their brackets and make informed predictions.

The tournament comprises 68 teams divided into four regions, with each region containing 16 seeds. The highly competitive format is single-elimination, leading to the creation of the highly coveted Final Four. This year’s tournament promises to be especially thrilling, with a resurgence in viewership for women’s games. A notable matchup last year featured Iowa’s Caitlin Clark against South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, which drew an average of 18.7 million viewers.

“This year, we’re providing expert analysis, predictions, and betting odds to ensure fans are equipped for all tournament-related activities,” said Michael Waterloo, The Athletic’s basketball analyst. “Whether it’s filling out brackets or considering bets, understanding the teams is essential.”

Expert predictions indicate that teams like South Carolina and Connecticut are emerging as favorites following Selection Sunday, with Florida being the surprising national championship pick, according to Austin Mock. His projections are based on extensive simulations of this year’s bracket.

Moreover, The Athletic’s Bracket Breakers team is utilizing a predictive model called Slingshot, developed in collaboration with the Furman University Mathematics Department. This model aims to highlight potential upsets throughout the tournament.

“Using statistical analysis, we can identify underdogs that may have a legitimate chance of upsetting higher-ranked teams,” said Jordan Brenner, a bracket analyst. “For instance, teams like High Point could make headlines by defeating powerhouses like Purdue.”

As teams prepare to hit the court, it’s critical for fans to stay vigilant about potential upsets and underdog success stories. Statistically, lower-seeded teams frequently pull off surprises during the first two rounds, making those picks crucial for bracket success. Experts advise avoiding early-round upsets for No. 1, 2, or 3 seeds, as these scenarios are rare.

Through analyzing winning trends, analysts have revealed that on average, No. 1 and No. 2 seeds win approximately 70 percent of the time in their matchups. In history, only two No. 1 seeds have lost to No. 16 seeds, which emphasizes the high probability of top-seeded teams advancing.

For those new to filling out brackets, The Athletic offers guidance to simplify the experience. They recommend focusing on seed rankings and identifying potential upsets, as well as relying on personal preferences to make entertaining choices.

“Basketball is about enjoyment; our goal is to make brackets less intimidating,” said J.J. Bailey, who specializes in NCAA Tournament advice. “Watching the tournament should be a fun experience, regardless of your basketball knowledge.”

The opening weekend of March Madness will follow an exhilarating schedule, with half of the participating teams competing on Thursday and the other half on Friday. Following this, the tournament will systematically narrow down to the Sweet 16 by Sunday.

As brackets finalize, avid fans can look forward to a thrilling month filled with dramatic games, unexpected outcomes, and the quintessential excitement that March Madness brings. As Championship Week approaches, all eyes will be on the court to see which teams advance further into the tournament.

“Keep one eye on the games and the other on your bracket—this is the time to immerse yourself in college basketball!” added Tess DeMeyer, a college basketball expert at The Athletic.