NCAA Tournament 2025: Predictions for Men's Sweet 16 Bracket After Selection Sunday

It's been less than 24 hours since Selection Sunday, yet college basketball fans around the world are already working diligently to craft the perfect bracket.

Before the tournament officially gets under way on Thursday, bracket-makers will closely monitor this year's favorites, sleepers, and potential underdogs.

Since 2007-08, an 11-seed has made the Sweet 16 every year.

Meanwhile, UConn is attempting to win the tournament for the third consecutive year.

Can Dan Hurley's Huskies accomplish the rare feat despite likely facing No. 1 seed Florida in the Round of 32?

Below, I'll do my best to help you prepare, forecasting my Sweet 16 for this year's big dance.

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South Region

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Predictions for Sweet 16 Matchups

Auburn vs. UC San Diego

Michigan State vs. Iowa State

Despite losing three of their final four games, Auburn still ended up as the top No. 1 seed in this year's big dance.

The Tigers have won an impressive 16 of 21 Quad 1 games and boast one of the nation's best offenses, led by Wooden Award Finalist Johni Broome.

Their recent struggles shouldn't overshadow how deep this program is, and making it to at least the Sweet 16 is expected—even with a potentially challenging Round of 32 matchup against Louisville or Creighton.

In the Sweet 16, it's quite likely the Tigers will face fourth-seeded Texas A&M or 12-seed UC San Diego, who I expect to upset Michigan in the opening round.

The Tritons have won 15 straight games and rank in the top 35 of the NET Rankings, an impressive ranking for a mid-major program.

In the bottom of the draw, two-seed Michigan State could face difficulties with the winner of Marquette-New Mexico, but nonetheless should be able to advance given their dominant defense and top-tier record (13-5) in Quad 1 games this season.

In the Sweet 16, it would not be a surprise for the Spartans to face an Iowa State team that, despite being without senior guard Keshon Gilbert, is still expected to advance quite easily.

East Region

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Predictions for Sweet 16 matchups:

Duke vs. Arizona

Alabama vs. Wisconsin

Duke enters the Big Dance as a championship favorite after bulldozing their way through ACC conference play this season.

The Blue Devils won the regular season title and the conference tournament in the same season for the first time since 2005–2006 and are the only program in the nation to rank top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency per KenPom.

They should have no trouble making it to the Sweet 16, where they will likely face an Arizona Wildcats team that is in form after narrowly losing to one-seed Houston in the Big 12 conference championship game.

Meanwhile, in the bottom of the bracket, it's difficult to envision anyone having the firepower to take down either Alabama or Wisconsin, who will likely face off in the Sweet 16.

Midwest Region

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Predictions for Sweet 16 matchups

Houston vs. Clemson

Tennessee vs. Illinois

For the fourth consecutive year, Houston has won 30 games in a single season.

In just their second season in the Big 12, the Cougars won the Big 12 regular season title outright and the conference tournament in the same year, a feat that hadn't been accomplished since 2017-18 (Kansas).

Considering they haven't lost a regular season game since November 30, 2024, against San Diego State, it would take what would be considered a massive upset for the Cougars to not reach the Sweet 16.

In the Sweet 16, the Cougars may end up facing a Clemson team that fell in an ACC Conference tournament quarterfinal heartbreaker to Louisville and boasts impressive Quad 1 wins against both Clemson and Kentucky.

In the bottom of the draw, Tennessee's relentless defense and balanced offense should make them a near-lock to make the Sweet 16.

While Kentucky is the third seed in the Midwest Region, it wouldn't be a shocker to see them fall to sixth-seed Illinois in the Round of 32, who, despite their inconsistencies, has one of the most lethal offenses in the nation.

West Region

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Predictions For Sweet 16 matchups

Florida vs. Maryland

Texas Tech vs. Kansas

Florida is arguably the hottest team in the country right now after finishing the season by pouncing on Alabama and Tennessee in back-to-back games to win the SEC Conference tournament for the first time since 2014.

In his third year as head coach of Florida, Todd Golden has his most complete team yet.

The Gators rank first in offensive efficiency per KenPom, boasting a backcourt trio of Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard that is the most talented in the entire nation.

Despite likely facing back-to-back champions UConn Huskies in the Round of 32, Florida should have no trouble getting to the Sweet 16.

It is quite foreseeable that they will face four-seed Maryland, a team that has been absolutely dominant on both sides of the court.

In the bottom half of the draw, things get a bit interesting.

Texas Tech should ultimately be able to emerge in the Sweet 16.

Despite having one of the nation's top defenses and recently winning the Big East conference tournament, St. John's schedule this season falls short of the elite.

As such, it's quite possible that when you throw them against a dynamic offense such as Kansas in the Round of 32, they may simply be overmatched.

Furthermore, considering their three-point struggles, stellar defense simply may not be enough.