The 2025 NCAA Match was lacking upsets and loads of drama throughout opening weekend.
However the lack of Cinderella tales and double-digit seeds advancing means a Candy 16 crammed with gigantic matchups between energy convention opponents. With solely the SEC, Massive Ten, Massive 12 and ACC represented so far within the NCAA Match, each matchup options fascinating stakes.
Right here’s a take a look at the watchability rankings of this week’s matchups with some storylines to observe for.
8. No. 1 Houston vs. No. 4 Purdue, Friday, 9:09 p.m.
As a prime seed the final two seasons, Houston misplaced within the Candy 16 to a No. 4 or No. 5 seed. Skilled Purdue makes its sixth Candy 16 journey within the final eight tournaments — returning some items from final season’s nationwide runner-up.
Even with these storylines, the second matchup within the Midwest Regional on Friday night time goes to be the slowest tempo of the Candy 16. Houston performs one of many slowest paces within the nation and likewise possesses the No. 1 adjusted defensive effectivity. Purdue is the third-slowest crew left within the subject and struggles defensively (No. 55 on KenPom).
There’s intrigue surrounding two recently-successful applications assembly in March. Purdue getting loads of followers to close by Lucas Oil Stadium must also make for a enjoyable environment.
However this recreation additionally has the possibility to be a low-scoring blowout if Houston seizes management early. A sluggish crew with a dominant protection taking part in in a soccer stadium is a possible recipe for catastrophe.
7. No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 6 Ole Miss, Friday, 6:09 p.m.
The South Area offers us the closest recreation by unfold amongst Candy 16 contests. It’s additionally an NCAA Match rematch between Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Ole Miss coach Chris Beard after Texas Tech and Beard beat the Spartans throughout the 2019 Ultimate 4.
Michigan State is deep, versatile and options some entertaining offensive weapons like Jace Richardson and Coen Carr. Shockingly, the Spartans haven’t made the Elite Eight this decade, placing some stress on this group to carry out as much as seed.
Ole Miss has by no means reached the Elite Eight and is attaining new ranges of success below Beard. They’re not essentially the most acquainted program on this setting however sport a top-25 offense (No. 24) and protection (No. 21).
Main scorer Sean Pedulla has developed a cult following this March after a buzzer-beater in opposition to Arkansas within the SEC Match and back-to-back 20-point video games in opposition to Iowa State and North Carolina.
However the Rebels completed tied for sixth within the SEC and misplaced within the convention match quarterfinals. That doesn’t make for the flashiest matchup in opposition to Michigan State.
6. No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 5 Michigan, Friday, 8:39 p.m.
Prime-seed Auburn will get examined by red-hot Michigan within the South Area.
Though the Tigers are the No. 1 total seed, they haven’t been significantly sharp over the past a number of weeks. When rolling, nevertheless, the Tigers are a deep and balanced pressure led by Participant of the 12 months candidate Johni Broome.
Broome will get the enjoyable matchup in opposition to two 7-footers within the Michigan frontcourt. Heart Vladislav Goldin has Ultimate 4 expertise as a former starter at Florida Atlantic whereas ahead Danny Wolf is an clever and artistic massive man. Underneath Dusty Could, the Wolverines play a sooner tempo (No. 58) and gained’t be afraid to match factors if wanted.
There’s additionally distinctive stress on Auburn to carry out with the Tigers solely reaching one Elite Eight over Pearl’s tenure (2019). Can Michigan’s scorching March proceed after profitable the Massive Ten convention match and rolling to the Candy 16?
5. No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 10 Arkansas, Thursday, 9:09 p.m.
Loads of expertise on the ground on this matchup within the West Area.
Texas Tech completed second within the deep Massive 12 behind convention Participant of the 12 months JT Toppin. The Crimson Raiders are No. 5 in offensive effectivity per KenPom and current loads of succesful scoring choices.
Arkansas counters with tons of expertise introduced in by head coach John Calipari throughout his first season. In Calipari’s debut yr in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks skilled loads of roadblocks earlier than coming collectively to achieve the Candy 16.
Loads of weapons get it finished for Arkansas, together with the backcourt of Johnell Davis and D.J. Wagner. The return of guard Boogie Fland from harm is one more proficient participant to maintain monitor of.
Arkansas as a program reached the Elite Eight twice for the reason that final time Calipari reached one in 2019 at Kentucky. So though Arkansas is the one remaining double-digit seed, there’s distinctive weight on Calipari to make an influence in March at his new program — significantly since Kentucky continues to be within the match as properly.
4. No. 1 Duke vs. No. 4 Arizona, Thursday, 8:39 p.m.
Duke faces Arizona and star guard Caleb Love. Despite the fact that the Blue Devils have Cooper Flagg and two different potential lottery picks, the historical past between Love and the Blue Devils takes heart stage right here.
Love and the Blue Devils comes with loads of historical past. The previous North Carolina guard’s dagger three helped the Tar Heels beat the Blue Devils throughout the 2022 Ultimate 4 to finish Coach Okay’s Corridor of Fame profession.
Final season, Arizona and Love beat Duke on the street. Between Love’s two colleges, the senior completed 3-1 at Cameron Indoor Stadium — waving goodbye to Duke followers on his means out.
So there’s historical past between Duke and Arizona principally because of a one-player rivalry that someway continues to reside on.
3. No. 1 Florida vs. No. 4 Maryland, Thursday, 6:39 p.m.
Florida will get one other check from No. 4 seed Maryland and the Crab 5.
The Gators wanted every part to get previous two-time defending champion UConn within the Spherical of 32. However Walter Clayton Jr. delivered heroic photographs down the stretch to ship the Florida win.
The backcourt of Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard is enjoyable to observe. Florida’s offense runs artistic units that make the most of the in depth passing skills of its deep frontcourt.
Talking of heroics, Maryland freshman massive man Derik Queen hit the shot of the NCAA Match to this point along with his buzzer-beating runner to beat Colorado State within the second spherical. A resurgent yr for the Terps is led by Queen, a possible one-and-done lottery choose, and 4 different Maryland scorers placing up no less than 12 factors per recreation.
This recreation gives expertise, versatility, potential execs and it might be the perfect likelihood a No. 1 seed is actually examined.
2. No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 6 BYU, Thursday, 6:09 p.m.
This East Area battle places loads of offensive expertise collectively taking part in at an uptempo tempo. Alabama is attempting to make its second consecutive Ultimate 4 look. Underneath first-year head coach Kevin Younger, BYU is trying to achieve its first Elite Eight since 1981.
Alabama will get up-and-down the ground with its No. 1 tempo. Whereas BYU prefers to play a mid-tempo contest, the Cougars’ No. 9 total offense is greater than able to matching factors with any crew within the nation when rolling.
The Crimson Tide commonly attain 90 factors in wins this season with 5 gamers averaging double-figures. All-American-caliber guard Mark Sears is electrical with the ball in his palms with loads of expertise round him.
BYU’s offense is run by way of a possible lottery choose in guard Egor Demin. Richie Saunders has put up massive scoring video games in latest Cougars wins over Wisconsin and Iowa State.
With a recreation that might simply play into the 90s, an in depth, uptempo recreation can be nice to see on this one.
1. No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 3 Kentucky, Friday, 6:39 p.m.
A basic SEC rivalry will get a 3rd assembly between these two groups and a primary within the NCAA Match after 241 earlier conferences. Kentucky swept Tennessee throughout the common season. Now these groups meet in entrance of a giant crowd within the Midwest Area in Lucas Oil Stadium.
Tennessee is taking part in properly throughout March, together with a win over Auburn within the SEC Match semifinals. Making a 3rd straight Candy 16 look, the Vols are skilled and crammed with veteran scorers, led by switch Chaz Lanier. Head coach Rick Barnes has a historical past of early NCAA Match exits as Tennessee seems to make the Ultimate 4.
Kentucky shot the ball properly in two wins over Tennessee and averaged 76.5 factors per recreation. The Wildcats are coming in very assured. Guard Lamont Butler stated Kentucky would win in opposition to Tennessee after the Spherical of 32 win over Illinois. Head coach Mark Pope permits a free-flowing offense that’s No. 11 in offensive effectivity and No. 26 in tempo.
Taking this type of rivalry to the postseason ought to make for a memorable matchup.