After the thrilling first round of the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament, basketball fans are buzzing with excitement! While the tournament kicked off with some early surprises, it appears that the path to the title remains fairly straightforward for top contenders.

This year's tournament showcased some unexpected upsets, notably McNeese's jaw-dropping victory over Clemson and Colorado State's stunning win against Memphis—a rare instance in which a No. 12 seed came in as the favorite. Yet, in a startling turn of events, no lower-seeded teams (13-16) managed to claim victory in the first round for the first time since 2017. What does this mean for your bracket? It may still be intact, but remember: so is the competition!

The key takeaway after round one is the significance of accurately predicting the national champion, particularly as all major contenders remain in the fray. Houston and Duke emerged as standout teams, showcasing their prowess and potential to advance deep into the tournament. Auburn and Florida also solidified their status by defeating their lower-seeded opponents, further reinforcing the strength of the higher seeds this year.

Despite minimal movement in our Stock Watch, the narrowing of the field sets up the stage for even more thrilling matchups in the coming rounds. Fans should brace themselves for potential upsets as teams vie for the coveted championship title.

Stay tuned for further analyses as we dissect the matchups and make predictions that could change the course of your March Madness bracket! Who will rise to the occasion, and who will fall short? The excitement is just beginning!