March Madness Predictions: Auburn and Duke Are Strong Contenders

LEXINGTON, Ky. — As the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament approaches, analysts are buzzing about the potential outcomes of March Madness, especially with former coach Jay Wright backing the Auburn Tigers as national champions. Wright, a CBS analyst and former NCAA champion with Villanova, declared, “I have the Auburn Tigers starting and finishing the season as national champs,” during a broadcast.

Auburn earned the No. 1 overall seed for the 2025 NCAA Tournament after finishing the season strong, despite losing three of their last four games. The Tigers’ record of 16-5 in Quad 1 games and a perfect 6-0 in Quad 2 games solidified their top position. Wright predicts Auburn will face Houston in the championship game, with Duke and St. John's advancing to the Final Four.

Leading the Tigers is Johni Broome, the SEC Player of the Year, but their recent struggles have raised eyebrows. After a disappointing finish in the SEC Tournament, where they faced significant challenges, their potential to navigate through the tournament remains a hot topic.

“March Madness is defined by its unpredictability,” noted Wright. “Every year, there are Cinderella stories and shocking upsets. Auburn’s recent form does concern me, but they’ve shown they can compete at the highest level.”

The NCAA Tournament kicks off with the First Four games on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the first round beginning on Thursday. This year’s bracket is packed with contenders, including Duke, projected as a favorite as they bring a well-rounded team led by standout freshman Cooper Flagg, also a strong candidate for national player of the year.

Duke, ranked first in its region, is coming off a successful ACC Tournament run and holds a remarkable record of 54-10 as a No. 1 seed in tournament history. Analysts see Duke’s combination of elite talent and depth as a major advantage, especially with a favorable path in the East Region.

However, potential pitfalls remain. Duke’s star rookie Maliq Brown is dealing with an injury that could affect their performance as the games progress. “If Brown can’t play, we lose a key piece,” said Wright. “But Duke has shown they can adapt and win.”

The predictions differ widely across analysts, with some projecting St. John’s, now coached by Rick Pitino, to have a resurgence in the tournament following their first Big East championship in 25 years. The Red Storm aim to reach their first Final Four since 1985, and their previous form suggests they could also make a significant run.

With the first round upon us, analysts must decide which teams will rise through the chaos. Auburn, Duke, and St. John’s all hold promise, but teams like Alabama, Florida, and Michigan State are also expected to contend strongly.

The unpredictability of March Madness means anything can happen, from miraculous upsets to dominant performances. As the tournament unfolds, fans will be on the edge of their seats, awaiting the next Cinderella story.