The moment college basketball fans have been eagerly awaiting has finally arrived: the 2025 Final Four! This year’s tournament has yielded an incredible twist, with all four No. 1 seeds—Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida—advancing to the coveted final weekend. This marks only the second occurrence in NCAA history where the highest-ranked teams have all come together at this stage, heightening the stakes for the championship title.

The path to the Final Four was no walk in the park for these elite teams. Each squad encountered fierce competition, taking down either a No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the Elite Eight and battling a No. 4 or No. 5 seed in the Sweet 16. Thus, the champion crowned in San Antonio will not only earn the title but also the respect that comes from overcoming the toughest of challenges in the basketball landscape.

Kicking off the festivities, an electrifying SEC matchup awaits as Auburn takes on Florida at 6:09 p.m. ET. Auburn, known as the regular-season champions, will face Florida, the darling of the conference tourney. Both teams hail from a historically robust SEC, which showcased an unprecedented 14 teams in the NCAA Tournament this year. This clash promises to ignite the arena with energy and intense competition.

Later, the night will see the powerful forces of Duke and Houston collide at 8:49 p.m. ET. This matchup not only features the nation's top offense from Duke but also its second-best defense in Houston. Spotlighting in this encounter will be CBS Sports Player of the Year, Cooper Flagg, who is set to face arguably his most formidable adversary yet. Expect a thrilling display of skill and strategy as these teams battle for a spot in the final.

Expert predictions abound as fans and analysts alike weigh in on who will emerge victorious. Here’s what to watch for:

Auburn vs. Florida

In their last eight outings, Auburn has struggled with slow starts, managing only a single win against the first-half spread. In contrast, Florida has shown impressive consistency, leading or tying at halftime in their last 10 games. The coaching clash between Bruce Pearl of Auburn and Todd Golden of Florida could lead to a tactical stalemate early on, but expect Auburn to make a strong second-half push, leveraging their experience. **Pick: Florida for the first half (-1.5).**

Duke vs. Houston

Houston has garnered well-deserved praise for its stout defense, but don't overlook Duke, which boasts an impressive fifth-ranked defensive efficiency nationally. They recently showcased their prowess by limiting Alabama to 25 points below their season average in a dominant 85-65 win. Both teams have proven their mettle—Duke has not allowed more than 70 points in 13 of their last 15 games. This should set the stage for a gritty and strategic showdown.

As March Madness unfolds, the excitement and unpredictability continue to grip fans. Make sure to tune in for the action as history is made!