Introduction

The highly anticipated bracket for the 2025 NCAA Tournament was revealed on Selection Sunday, thrilling fans across the nation.

Among the notable entries, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes will make his 29th NCAA Tournament appearance—leading the pack of active coaches. Under his guidance, the Volunteers secured a No. 2 seed for the second consecutive year, continuing their journey in pursuit of their first Final Four appearance.

Last season, they reached the Elite Eight, and it's clear the team is poised to make a significant impact once again. But how far will Tennessee advance in your March Madness bracket?

Historic SEC Representation

In a historic achievement, a record 14 teams from the SEC will participate in this year's tournament, surpassing the 11 teams sent by the Big East in 2011.

With Florida and Auburn both earning No. 1 seeds, these powerhouse teams are prime candidates for deep tournament runs, and they will be popular choices in bracket predictions.

However, before you finalize your picks, it's essential to explore insights from cutting-edge simulation models available at SportsLine, which have accurately predicted outcomes in previous tournaments.

Simulation Models and Their Accuracy

This advanced model has simulated every game in the tournament an astounding 10,000 times, and its past performance has been remarkable—it has beaten more than 91% of CBS Sports brackets in four of the last six tournaments.

Last year, it accurately projected UConn's championship journey and identified 13 teams that made it to the Sweet 16, including Alabama's unexpected rise to the Final Four as a 4-seed.

Spotting Potential Upsets

Spotting potential upsets is where this model excels, having successfully predicted 24 first-round upsets involving double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016.

With such robust technology to aid your bracket strategy, why leave your picks to chance?

Must-Watch Matchups

As the 2025 NCAA Tournament unfolds, one matchup generating buzz is the clash between No. 8 seed Mississippi State and No. 9 seed Baylor in the East Region.

The Bears, a tournament regular for the past two decades, are seeking redemption after three consecutive Round of 32 exits since their national championship in 2021.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State is desperate to snap a five-game NCAA Tournament losing streak dating back to 2008, making this a must-watch contest.

Another electrifying matchup to keep an eye on is between No. 6 seed BYU and No. 11 seed VCU.

The Cougars, who’ve yet to reach a Final Four, have demonstrated strength with 24 wins this season, marred only by a recent loss to Houston.

After suffering a Round of 64 defeat to Duquesne last year, they’re eager to avoid repeating history.

Conversely, VCU boasts 28 wins and enters its 20th NCAA Tournament, riding high after clinching a third Atlantic 10 Tournament title.

Don’t overlook the intriguing battle between No. 3 seed Wisconsin and No. 14 seed Montana in the East Region.

The Badgers are determined to avoid another early exit after faltering last year as a No. 5 seed against James Madison.

Fresh off a trip to the Big Ten Tournament finals, they face a Montana team that is back in the tournament for the first time since 2019, fueled by a remarkable run that includes winning 14 of their last 15 games.

Conclusion

As the excitement builds, fans are left eager to see how far their favorite teams will go and which Cinderella stories might emerge from the backdrop of this year’s tournament.

With a model known for highlighting bracket-busting surprises, now is the time to consult these predictions before making concrete picks for the 2025 NCAA Tournament!

Don't miss out on the journey—let the madness begin!