Updated 2025 March Madness Bracket Predictions

The NCAA tournament is a bettor’s dream—filled with nonstop action, wild upsets and endless opportunities to cash in on your March Madness bracket predictions. 

Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just filling out a bracket for fun, predicting the tournament is a mix of research, instinct and luck. The blue bloods will be there, but so will the underdogs looking to make history. 

Let’s break down the best teams, some potential upsets and my 2025 March Madness predictions.

East Region Predictions for 2025

​We begin in the East, with what could be the strongest region in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Duke secured the top seed, but Alabama isn’t far behind and is coming out of a very competitive SEC. Combined with an underrated Wisconsin squad and reputable programs like Arizona and Oregon—the East region is not to be taken lightly.

Safest First Round Pick

Duke is the safest first-round pick in the East, no question. They’re 31-3, dominated the ACC and rank top-10 in both offense and defense. Their scoring efficiency is off the charts and they limit opponents to just 61.9 points per game.

With freshman phenom Cooper Flagg expected back from an ankle sprain, the Blue Devils should have no trouble in their opening game. A 16-seed isn’t stopping this squad—Duke is as close to a sure thing as it gets.

Biggest First Round Upset

Predicting first-round upsets isn’t easy, but when they hit, the payouts can be huge. This year, 11-seed VCU is our pick to shock 6-seed BYU. The Rams are riding high after winning the Atlantic 10 title and their aggressive defense could give the Cougars serious trouble. BYU, while still dangerous, lacks scoring depth and star power. If VCU can control the tempo and force turnovers, they have a real shot at pulling off the +145 upset.

East Region Winner

Under the guidance of third-year head coach Jon Scheyer, the Blue Devils have flourished, clinching both the ACC regular-season and tournament titles. Their roster is stacked, and we’re not just talking about projected No. 1 NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg—freshmen Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel have been instrumental in their success, as have veterans like Tyrese Proctor and Sion James.

With such depth and talent, Duke is a top contender for the national title and a prime team to consider when betting on college basketball.

West Region Predictions for 2025

The West Region is shaping up to be one of the more wide-open brackets in the tournament. Top-seeded Florida leads the way after an impressive season, but St. John’s and Texas Tech both have the firepower to make deep runs.

Throw teams like Maryland, Memphis and UConn into the mix and this region could be full of surprises. 

Safest First Round Pick

Few would have believed it to start the season, but we have St. John’s as our safest pick in the West region. They clinched their first Big East regular-season title since 1985, boasting a 30-4 record.

Guard RJ Luis Jr. is scoring 18.4 PPG while forward Zuby Ejiofor leads the nation in offensive rebounding, but the big difference has been Rick Pitino. With the legendary coach at the helm, expect 2-seed St. John’s to beat 15-seed Omaha with ease.

Biggest First Round Upset

First-round upsets can make or break a bracket, and 11-seed Drake over 6-seed Missouri is a prime candidate. Drake enters the tournament at 30-3, fresh off their third straight Missouri Valley title, and already boasts wins over Miami, Vanderbilt, and Kansas State. Meanwhile, Missouri finished 22-11 but struggled against top competition.

Currently available at +210, Drake has already proven they can beat major programs and the team has all the ingredients to pull off the First Round upset.

West Region Winner

Despite being a 3-seed, Texas Tech is our pick to win the West Region. The Red Raiders finished second in the Big 12 and were the only team to beat Houston on the road. JT Toppin (18.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG) is the real deal and the team plays well on both ends of the floor—top 10 in offensive efficiency, top 25 in defense.

Keep your eye on Texas Tech to come out of the West, busting a few March Madness bracket predictions along the way. 

South Region Predictions for 2025

The South Region is loaded with talent, headlined by 1-seed Auburn, who finished at the top of a very tough SEC this season.

Michigan State, Iowa State and Arizona round out the top four seed, followed by Michigan, Ole Miss and Marquette—making this side of the bracket an unpredictable path to the Final Four.

Safest First Round Pick

It may not be the boldest of March Madness predictions, but we have Auburn as the safest First Round pick in the South. They finished 28-5, won the SEC title and boast one of the deepest rotations in the country.

Their fast-paced offense poses a challenge, but it’s their defense—top 10 in efficiency—that really separates them. With National Player of the Year co-frontrunner Johni Broome leading the charge, you can expect the Tigers to roll through the First Round with ease.

Biggest First Round Upset

Yale is no stranger to March Madness upsets following last year’s shocking tournament win over Auburn. Senior guard John Poulakidas leads a battle-tested squad that held its own against Purdue and Minnesota this season. Meanwhile, Texas A&M limps into the tournament after losing five of their last seven games, raising major red flags.

Don’t sell this Ivy League school short, Yale (+265) has momentum on their side and everything they need to pull off another classic March Madness upset.

South Region Winner

We don’t know Auburn’s exact path yet, but with Johni Broome leading the way, it’s hard to bet against them in the South Region. The Tigers have been dominant all season, winning the SEC title and proving they can handle top-tier talent.

Broome, a double-double machine, gives them a reliable inside presence and their athletic roster makes them a nightmare for opponents. If you’re looking to back Auburn, check out the latest betting bonuses and promotions to maximize your winnings. 

Midwest Region Predictions for 2025

The Midwest Region is an absolute gauntlet, featuring 1-seed Houston, 2-seed Tennessee, 3-seed Kentucky, and 4-seed Purdue—all teams with Final Four potential.

With powerhouse programs and elite talent across the board, this region is set to deliver some of the toughest March Madness bracket predictions.

Safest First Round Pick

Houston is a deserving 1-seed, but our safest first-round pick in the Midwest Region is 2-seed Tennessee. The Vols battled through a stacked SEC before falling just short in the conference title game, proving they can hang with elite competition. Wofford, the Midwest’s 15-seed, simply isn’t on the same level.

Tennessee’s physical defense and balanced scoring attack make them a nightmare matchup for an overmatched Wofford squad. Expect Tennessee to cruise through the first round and start their tournament in blowout fashion.

Biggest First Round Upset

Every year, a lower seed shocks the bracket, and this time, Georgia looks primed to take down Gonzaga in the battle of the Bulldogs. As the 9-seed, Georgia closed the season strong, including a statement victory over Florida. Led by Asa Newell (15.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG), Georgia has the talent to keep up with the Zags.

Meanwhile, 8-seed Gonzaga has struggled defensively, allowing 69.6 PPG despite their high-powered offense. If Georgia can control the pace, they have a real shot at pulling off the +220 upset.

Midwest Region Winner

​We already chose Tennessee as our safest First Round pick and were taking them again to win the entire Midwest region. The Vols have showcased resilience and skill throughout the season, boasting a 27-7 record in a stacked SEC. Coming off a recent victory over No. 3 Auburn, Tennessee showed they can compete against top-tier teams.

Having already faced some of the best teams in the country this season, don’t be surprised if the Vols make their way into the Final Four. 

Who Will Win the 2025 NCAAB National Title?

When it comes to betting on college basketball’s national championship, Duke is our pick to cut down the nets in 2025. The 1-seed Blue Devils have the perfect mix of talent, depth and coaching to navigate the madness.

Projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick Cooper Flagg headlines a loaded roster and Jon Scheyer has his team peaking at the right time. They’ve already outclassed some elite competition this season and have the balance to win in multiple ways. 

If you’re looking to bet on Duke—or any other team— BetOnline offers competitive 2025 Final Four odds, deep betting markets and all the action you need to make the most this year’s March Madness tournament.