Here’s a printable NCAA tournament bracket as March Madness finally arives.
The 2025 men’s NCAA tournament is going to be special. The field of 68 will be announced on Selection Sunday on March 16. The NIL and transfer portal has leveled the playing field, creating a wide open tournament where so many programs rightfully believe they can make a deep run.
Duke was poised to enter March Madness as the favorite to win it all, but Cooper Flagg’s ankle injury has thrown a massive wrench into that projection. Flagg missed the rest of the ACC tournament after suffering the injury in Duke’s opener, but he’s expected to try to play on it later this week. Auburn was looking like a strong No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, but it’s suddenly lost three of its last four games, including a tight defeat to Tennessee in the SEC tournament semifinals. Florida is rolling right now and will be a trendy pick to win it all after it blasted an excellent Alabama team in the SEC tournament semifinals.
From Cinderellas to bracket busters to a look at the top players in the field, SB Nation will have you covered before the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament kicks off on Thursday, March 20. The full bracket will be announced at 6 p.m. ET on CBS on Selection Sunday. Download your blank 2025 NCAA tournament printable bracket here.
Here’s everything you need to know about Selection Sunday.
How to watch Selection Sunday 2025
March Madness important dates
Here are the dates you need to know for the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament. The Final Four and national championship game will be played at the the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
- Selection Sunday: March 16
- First Four: March 18 and March 19
- First round: March 20 and March 21
- Round of 32: March 22 and March 23
- Sweet 16: March 27 and March 28
- Elite Eight: March 29 and March 30
- Final Four: April 5
- National championship game: April 7
Who to pick in your men’s March Madness bracket
Duke feels like the best overall team in the field … if Cooper Flagg is healthy. It’s possible that Flagg’s ankle sprain will mean Duke is a less popular pick in your bracket pool, but I’d still expect plenty of people to be on the Blue Devils.
Auburn, Florida, and Alabama are all legitimate national title threats coming out of the SEC. No Big Ten team has won the national championship since 2000 Michigan State. One of the big stars on that team was Jason Richardson, and now his son Jase Richardson is emerging as a NBA lottery pick and the Spartans best player. MSU, Maryland, and Wisconsin all feel like possible Final Four threats out of the Big Ten.
Can Houston finally breakthrough? The Cougars are an elite team every year under Kelvin Sampson, but their best run under the coach was making the 2021 Final Four. Houston is again an elite defense and rebounding team, but the question will always be their offense. The Cougars rank in the top-10 of offensive efficiency this year, but they need guards Milos Uzan and LJ Cryer to be on to have the necessary firepower.
Want an early Cinderella pick? The Drake Bulldogs fit the mold. First-year head coach Ben McCollum was coaching at the DII level a year ago at this team. He brought a few playres from his Northwest Missouri team over with him, including star guard Bennett Stirtz. Stirtz is the best mid-major player in the country, and could become a household name during March Madness.
UConn is trying to become the first men’s team to three-peat since John Wooden was at UCLA. Don’t count on it: the Huskies have been up and down all year because of a shaky defense. The Big East team best prepared to make a run is St. John’s under the guidance of Rick Pitino. It would be so fun to see Pitino get one more shot in the spotlight. The Red Storm can’t make many outside shots, but their defense is phenomenal and forward R.J. Luis is becoming an athletic, two-way stud.
There’s nothing better on the sports calendar than March Madness. Finally, it’s here.
