Grant White

Top Picks to Win NCAA Tournament: Duke & Florida Lead

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25646067-scaled-e1742366204474-768x432.jpg

&lt;oc-connect-widget slot-id="Fm7vY-zIrhkMNAxwOohsD"&gt;&lt;/oc-connect-widget&gt;
Potential Matchup: Round of 32 
Plausibility: Very Likely
If the basketball Gods are fair and just, this will be the second-round matchup that everyone looks forward to. The Houston Cougars and Gonzaga Bulldogs are two of the most efficient teams in the country. The Zags rank ninth in KenPom net efficiency ratings, with the Cougars checking in at third. Both squads are favorites in the Round of 64, and if everything goes as planned, we could have an instant classic this weekend.

Midwest Region: (9) Gonzaga Bulldogs vs (1) Houston Cougars

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25644053-1-scaled-e1742366185717-768x432.jpg

Potential Matchup: Round of 32 
Plausibility: Very Likely
Much of the joy of the NCAA Tournament comes from watching contrasting styles versus unfamiliar opponents. That's exactly what we could get in the second round, with the Alabama Crimson Tide taking on the St. Mary's Gaels. Alabama plays with reckless abandon on offense, while the Gaels prioritize stout defensive play. On a neutral court, there's no telling whose brand of basketball would prevail.

East Region: (7) St. Mary's Gaels vs (2) Alabama Crimson Tide

https://web.sportsgrid.com/assets/images/bet365_slideshow_v2.webp

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25683241-scaled-e1742366168780-768x432.jpg

<div class="c-message_attachment__row"><a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/picks" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-qa="message_attachment_title_link">Free Expert CBB Picks | Best CBB Picks Today | SportsGrid</a></div>
<div class="c-message_attachment__row">SportsGrid is the streaming network dedicated to bringing you the best CBB picks today! Filter our expert CBB picks by rating, games, markets &amp; start times.</div>
Potential Matchup: Sweet Sixteen 
Plausibility: Likely
Past iterations of the Arizona Wildcats have valued interior play, but their trio of elite guards has kept this year's Wildcats afloat. Stacking Arizona's big three against the Duke Blue Devils' scoring trio could be the recipe for one of the most entertaining games of the tournament. If everything goes as planned, the fourth-seeded Wildcats would face the top-seeded Blue Devils in the Sweet Sixteen.

East Region: (4) Arizona Wildcats vs (1) Duke Blue Devils

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25680532-scaled-e1742366122806-768x432.jpg

Potential Matchup: Sweet Sixteen 
Plausibility: Unlikely
<div class="c-message_attachment__row"><a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/player-props" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-qa="message_attachment_title_link">CBB Player Prop Bets | Best CBB Player Props Today | SportsGrid</a></div>
<div class="c-message_attachment__row">SportsGrid is dedicated to bringing you the best CBB player props today! You can filter our expert CBB player prop bets by rating, games, markets &amp; start times.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Assuredly, the BYU Cougars versus the Alabama Crimson Tide would end up being one of the highest-scoring games of the tournament, if not of all-time. Both teams rank inside the top 11 in offensive efficiency, but we've seen BYU dial up the intensity more recently. The non-stop action would be akin to an all-star game, with little to no effort being emphasized on defense. If these teams end up meeting in the Sweet Sixteen, whatever the total is, bet the over.</div>

East Region: (6) BYU Cougars vs (2) Alabama Crimson Tide

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25626661-scaled-e1742366106656-768x432.jpg

Potential Matchup: Elite Eight 
Plausibility: Unlikely
There's nothing quite like an in-state rivalry game, particularly on the biggest stage. We saw the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines battle it out twice this season, and we were robbed of the trilogy in the Big Ten Tournament. Nevertheless, these teams can still meet once more this season, if the Spartans and Wolverines make it to the Elite Eight. Michigan might finally be able to avenge those regular season losses.

South Region: (2) Michigan State Spartans vs (5) Michigan Wolverines

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25697589-scaled-e1742366089805-768x432.jpg

Potential Matchup: Elite Eight 
Plausibility: Likely
When the tournament committee put together their rankings, they must have been hoping for the St. John's Red Storm and Florida Gators to meet in the Elite Eight. According to KenPom, Florida ranks first in the country in offensive efficiency. Likewise, the Johnnies are the top-ranked defensive squad. Consequently, this would be the premier matchup of the tournament, pitting strength against strength. Fingers crossed, the West Region plays out the way it should.

West Region: (2) St. John's Red Storm vs (1) Florida Gators

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25706662-scaled-e1742366071329-768x432.jpg

<div class="c-message_attachment__row"><a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-qa="message_attachment_title_link">March Madness 2025 Bracket - NCAA Tournament | SportsGrid</a></div>
<div class="c-message_attachment__row">Follow the 2025 NCAA March Madness Men's Bracket for realtime scores, game times, stats, and more. Stay updated on all the tournament action!</div>
<div>
Potential Matchup: Elite Eight 
Plausibility: Very Unlikely
</div>
<div>This is the poetic matchup that every college basketball fan should be rooting for in the Elite Eight. The North Carolina Tar Heels and Creighton Bluejays have come up short of expectations this season. However, a deep run in the NCAA Tournament would all but erase all of those lackluster efforts. If these teams meet up in the Elite Eight, one would be guaranteed a spot in the Final Four, changing the narrative of their entire campaign.</div>

South Region: (11) North Carolina Tar Heels vs (9) Creighton Bluejays

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25682793-scaled-e1742366253846-768x432.jpg

Potential Matchup: Final Four 
Plausibility: Extremely Unlikely
Imagine the hoopla around Rick Pitino facing off against his former school. Pitino was behind the Louisville Cardinals' helm for 17 years before a 'pay for play' scandal ended his tenure. A brief reprieve overseas and Pitino was brought on to lead St. John's back to glory. He could have a chance to avenge his departure, but the chances of that happening appear unlikely.

Final Four: (8) Louisville Cardinals vs. (2) St. John's Red Storm

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25682540-scaled-e1742366046198-768x432.jpg

Potential Matchup: Final Four 
Plausibility: Coin Toss
Analytically, the Houston Cougars and Duke Blue Devils are comparable. Houston ranks third in net efficiency, falling two places shy of the top-ranked Blue Devils. While Duke wields an offensive advantage, the Cougars play a more ferocious brand of defensive basketball. Watching these teams duke it out at the Alamodome is the dream matchup everyone should be rooting for.

Final Four: (1) Houston Cougars vs (1) Duke Blue Devils

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25678558-scaled-e1742365989762-768x432.jpg

Shoot your shot! Cash in with our four- and five-star <a class="c-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/picks" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/picks" data-sk="tooltip_parent">College Basketball Picks</a> and buzzer-beating <a class="c-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/player-props" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/player-props" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Player Props</a>.
Potential Matchup: National Championship Game 
Plausibility: Extremely Unlikely
After what we witnessed in the ACC semifinal, how could you not be rooting for this rematch in the National Championship Game? The North Carolina Tar Heels erased a 21-point halftime deficit versus Duke, only to collapse in the waning moments of the contest. Ultimately, the Tar Heels did just enough to be included in the field of 68, but their season won't be complete unless they find a way to atone for their missteps versus their hated rival.

National Championship: (11) North Carolina Tar Heels vs (1) Duke Blue Devils

March Madness 2025: The Top 10 Dream Matchups We Want

A&amp;amp;E's new reality series dives into NFL stadium security and what happens, showcasing wild incidents and unexpected drama, first up is the Cleveland Browns.

Exploring Stadium Security on A&E's New Reality Show

Discover the Chicago White Sox's 125th anniversary desserts: a celebration cake shake and a chocolate s'mores milkshake. Both are incredibly sugary treats.

Exploring the Chicago White Sox's Sugar-Sweet Desserts

The Utah Jazz lead the Washington Wizards 107-90. Tickets at $2; entry totals $4.85 yet Gabriel Morency and Cam Stewart still wouldn't attend the game.

NBA Game Highlights: Utah Jazz Lead The Washington Wizards

LATEST VIDEOS

March Madness preview today,March Madness preview,March Madness preview for today,March Madness betting preview,today's March Madness preview,March Madness predictions today,March Madness predictions,March Madness predictions for today,March Madness betting predictions,today's March Madness predictions,March Madness betting odds,betting odds March Madness,betting odds for March Madness,March Madness futures today,March Madness futures,March Madness futures for today,March Madness betting futures,today's March Madness futures,March Madness odds betting,betting odds for March Madness futures,Alabama Crimson Tide,Alabama  AL,SEC,NCAA Division I,Arizona Wildcats,Arizona  AZ,Big 12,BYU Cougars,BYU  UT,Creighton Bluejays,Creighton  NE,Big East,Duke Blue Devils,Duke  NC,ACC,Florida Gators,Florida  FL,Gonzaga Bulldogs,Gonzaga  WA,West Coast,Houston Cougars,Houston  TX,Louisville Cardinals,Louisville  KY,Michigan Wolverines,Michigan  MI,Big Ten,Michigan State Spartans,Michigan State  MI,North Carolina Tar Heels,North Carolina  NC,Saint Mary's Gaels,Saint Mary's  CA,St. John's Red Storm,St. John's  NY

keywords

twitter:card

twitter:title

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumnbail-webp/article/2067808-1920x1080.webp?v=1742461989

twitter:image

thumbnail

google

A neverending amount of matchups could come to fruition in this year's March Madness bracket. What are the top ten tournament games everyone is hoping for?

description

expires

robots

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

March Madness: Bracket Predictions For Every NCAA Tournament Game

March Madness: 5 Things We Learned About the North Carolina Tar Heels

Dick Vitale’s 2025 NCAA Tournament Picks, Final Four, and Champion

March Madness West Region: Odds, Picks, Cinderella, and Winner

Jay Bilas's 2025 NCAA Tournament Picks, Final Four, and Champion

Top 30 Men's College Basketball NIL Rankings Going Into March Madness

5 Candidates for Indiana Hoosiers Head Coaching Job

NCAAM: Top 20 Players Who Entered the CBB Transfer Portal

March Madness Prediction: Duke, Houston, Florida and Auburn's Case Against the Field

March Madness 2025: 10 Bracket Busters Set for Cinderella Runs

NCAA Tournament Bracket Pick'em Tool

March Madness West Region Preview

March Madness East Region Preview

March Madness South Region Preview

March Madness Midwest Region Preview

CBB Transfer Portal Player Rankings

SportsMillions.com: Pick'em, Blitz'em and Social Casino

Comment

Home

Articles

SportsGrid is your source for the best sports bets today. Watch SportsGrid for live sports news coverage, scores, odds, moneylines, sports betting tips & more.

sportsgrid.com

Ferrall Coast To Coast

College Football Today

NFL Pro Football Today

Bare Knuckle Fighting Main Event

The Early Line Live

SportsRage Tonight Live

NewsWire Live

The Bostonian Vs. The Book

Bare Knuckle Fighting Knuckle Up

MODUS Super Series Darts

Gametime Decisions Live

Fantasy Sports Today

The Smylie Kaufman Show

NHL Today

Ferrall Coast To Coast From Super Bowl Week

Ferrall Coast To Coast Live From Super Bowl Week

NFL Super Bowl Pro Football Today

OUR SHOWS

Analyzing team statistics and plus-minus with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers out of the lineup compared to Luka Doncics impact since joining the Lakers

Impact of LeBron’s Absence on Team Performance Examined

LATEST SPORTSGRID VIDEOS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on and how to watch SportsGrid today.

Where to Watch SportsGrid | How to Watch SportsGrid | SportsGrid

Samsung TV Plus

Roku TV

FireTV

LG Channels

Vizio

Xiaomi

VIDAA

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Connected TV’s

FREE ON MY TV

Amazon Prime Video

YouTube TV

FuboTV

Plex

Sling Tv

FreeCast

Local Now

Stremium

Rad TV

Free Live Sports

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Streaming services

LIVE STREAMING SERVICES

Sirius XM

Sports.Tv

YouTube

Download the new SportsGrid app, watch on SportsGrid.com or our YouTube Channel

WEB/MOBILE

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following platforms

ALL PARTNERS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on:

MORE ARTICLES

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos