Men's NCAA Tournament Favorites Go Undefeated in Sweet 16 for 1st Time Since 1985

The Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament didn't feature many unexpected results.

Favorites went undefeated with a perfect 8-0 record in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1985, per Evan Abrams of Action Network.

Teams favored by at least seven points in the 2025 tournament are also 26-1 overall, with the only loss being No. 5 Clemson's first-round defeat at the hands of No. 12 McNeese State.

While a lack of March Madness upsets isn't typical, it also sets the stage for several intriguing Elite Eight matchups.

The 2025 Sweet 16 almost included several upsets before the favorites ultimately prevailed.

No. 3 seed Texas Tech trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half against No. 10 Arkansas but stormed back to send the game to overtime. The Red Raiders eventually won due to a layup by Darrion Williams with seven seconds remaining in overtime.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Michigan State overcame an eight-point deficit in the second half against No. 6 Ole Miss to emerge with a 73-70 victory. Both teams traded buckets near the end of regulation, but a layup from Carson Cooper gave the Spartans a late four-point lead that they wouldn't relinquish.

Houston initially blew a 10-point lead to Purdue, but Kelvin Sampson drew up an inbounds play that left junior guard Milos Uzan open underneath the basket for a game-winning finish.

The Cougars, who sat at No. 2 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, escaped with a 62-60 victory and punched their ticket to the Elite Eight.

There should be several hard-fought battles with spots in the Final Four on the line. This includes an upcoming matchup featuring Cooper Flagg and Duke battling against Mark Sears and Alabama.

Both the Blue Devils and Crimson Tide scored at least 100 points in their respective Sweet 16 victories.