The 2025 NCAA Match was lacking upsets and lots of drama throughout opening weekend.
However the lack of Cinderella tales and double-digit seeds advancing means a Candy 16 stuffed with gigantic matchups between energy convention opponents. With solely the SEC, Large Ten, Large 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 look at for.
8. No. 1 Houston vs. No. 4 Purdue, Friday, 9:09 p.m.
As a high 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 evening goes to be the slowest tempo of the Candy 16. Houston performs one of many slowest paces within the nation and in addition possesses the No. 1 adjusted defensive effectivity. Purdue is the third-slowest staff left within the subject and struggles defensively (No. 55 on KenPom).
There’s intrigue surrounding two recently-successful applications assembly in March. Purdue getting lots of followers to close by Lucas Oil Stadium also needs to 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 staff with a dominant protection enjoying 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 through 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 strain 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 underneath 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 event 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 general seed, they haven’t been notably sharp over the past a number of weeks. When rolling, nonetheless, the Tigers are a deep and balanced power led by Participant of the Yr 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. Below Dusty Could, the Wolverines play a quicker tempo (No. 58) and gained’t be afraid to match factors if wanted.
There’s additionally distinctive strain 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 Large Ten convention event 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 Large 12 behind convention Participant of the Yr JT Toppin. The Purple 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 succeed in the Candy 16.
Loads of weapons get it executed for Arkansas, together with the backcourt of Johnell Davis and D.J. Wagner. The return of guard Boogie Fland from damage is one more gifted participant to maintain observe of.
Arkansas as a program reached the Elite Eight twice for the reason that final time Calipari reached one in 2019 at Kentucky. So regardless that Arkansas is the one remaining double-digit seed, there’s distinctive weight on Calipari to make an affect in March at his new program — notably since Kentucky continues to be within the event as properly.
4. No. 1 Duke vs. No. 4 Arizona, Thursday, 8:39 p.m.
Duke faces Arizona and star guard Caleb Love. Though the Blue Devils have Cooper Flagg and two different potential lottery picks, the historical past between Love and the Blue Devils takes middle 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 through 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 approach out.
So there’s historical past between Duke and Arizona largely because of a one-player rivalry that by some means continues to reside on.
3. No. 1 Florida vs. No. 4 Maryland, Thursday, 6:39 p.m.
Florida will get one other take a look at from No. 4 seed Maryland and the Crab 5.
The Gators wanted the whole lot to get previous two-time defending champion UConn within the Spherical of 32. However Walter Clayton Jr. delivered heroic pictures down the stretch to ship the Florida win.
The backcourt of Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard is enjoyable to look at. Florida’s offense runs inventive units that make the most of the intensive passing skills of its deep frontcourt.
Talking of heroics, Maryland freshman massive man Derik Queen hit the shot of the NCAA Match thus far together 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 not less than 12 factors per recreation.
This recreation gives expertise, versatility, potential professionals and it could possibly be the very best likelihood a No. 1 seed is really examined.
2. No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 6 BYU, Thursday, 6:09 p.m.
This East Area battle places lots of offensive expertise collectively enjoying at an uptempo tempo. Alabama is attempting to make its second consecutive Ultimate 4 look. Below first-year head coach Kevin Younger, BYU is making an attempt to succeed in 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 general offense is greater than able to matching factors with any staff within the nation when rolling.
The Crimson Tide often 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 arms with loads of expertise round him.
BYU’s offense is run by means of a possible lottery choose in guard Egor Demin. Richie Saunders has put up massive scoring video games in current Cougars wins over Wisconsin and Iowa State.
With a recreation that would simply play into the 90s, a detailed, uptempo recreation can be nice to see on this one.
1. No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 3 Kentucky, Friday, 6:39 p.m.
A traditional 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 through the common season. Now these groups meet in entrance of a giant crowd within the Midwest Area in Lucas Oil Stadium.
Tennessee is enjoying 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 stuffed with veteran scorers, led by switch Chaz Lanier. Head coach Rick Barnes has a historical past of early NCAA Match exits as Tennessee appears to be like 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 sort of rivalry to the postseason ought to make for a memorable matchup.
