March Madness is almooooost here, and the race to secure a spot in the 68-team NCAA Tournament is reaching its final days. With several conference tournaments in full swing, college teams are fighting for automatic bids, while others sit anxiously on the bubble, hoping to hear their name on Selection Sunday coming up this March 16, 2025.

Every game from now until Selection Sunday has the potential to shake up the official bracket, with last-minute upsets and deep conference tournament runs pushing teams in or out of the field. For all the ups and downs of March Madness, you’ll need to have a strong mindset from either participating in high-level stakes or coaching from the likes of e-sports training program achievemindscoaching.com. So with that in (sound) mind, let’s take a deep dive into the latest bracketology projections, including the top seeds, bubble teams, and key storylines to watch as the madness unfolds.

Projected No. 1 Seeds & Contenders

As of right now, Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston sit atop the soon-to-come March Madness bracket as the projected No. 1 seeds and sit at the top of the Big Dance. Each program has built an impressive resume, but nothing is set in stone—conference tournament results could still shift the final seedings.

Auburn – Despite two late-season losses, Auburn remains the frontrunner for the No. 1 overall seed. A deep SEC Tournament run would solidify their status.
Duke – The Blue Devils have again been in the national eye with Cooper Flagg, and they are second in line for the top overall seed but need a strong finish in the ACC Tournament to close the gap on Auburn.
Florida – The Gators currently hold the final No. 1 seed, but Alabama and Tennessee are close behind, meaning the SEC Tournament winner could take this spot. 
Houston – The Cougars are safely on the top seed line heading into the Big 12 Tournament, needing just a solid showing to maintain their ranking.

Meanwhile, Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan State, and Texas A&M are all knocking on the door for a No. 1 seed, and a dominant conference tournament run could push one of them into the mix. With Florida online sports betting options expanding, fans are keeping a close eye on these teams, looking for value bets and longshot upsets as the bracket starts to take shape.

Bubble Teams & Last Four In/Out

For teams on the bubble, every game is a must-win, as a single loss could mean the difference between dancing in March or watching from home. Conference tournaments play a huge role in determining the final at-large bids, and a surprise champion from a mid-major or lower-seeded team could steal a bid, pushing a hopeful team off the bracket. Selection Sunday looms, and for these teams, every possession carries the weight of their tournament hopes.

✅ Last Four In:

• Baylor – A solid resume with several Quad 1 wins, but inconsistency has kept them on the edge of the bracket. A strong showing in the Big 12 Tournament could cement their spot.
• Oklahoma – Big wins down the stretch, including a statement victory over Texas, have pushed them into the field. Still, another win or two would make their case even stronger.
• Xavier – Hovering on the bubble most of the season, Xavier has struggled to close out key games but has done just enough to sneak into the Last Four In category.
• Ohio State – The Buckeyes got hot at the right time, securing late-season Quad 1 victories, but their fate still hinges on a strong Big Ten Tournament run.

❌ First Four Out:

• San Diego State – Despite an impressive non-conference schedule, the Aztecs have lacked signature wins late in the season and need a deep conference tournament push.
• Boise State – Strong in metrics but lacking marquee victories, Boise State must pull off at least one upset in the Mountain West Tournament to have a realistic shot.
• North Carolina – A storied program with a passionate fanbase, but this season’s inconsistent play has them in serious jeopardy. They’re likely out, but have hope; they need back-to-back wins to get back in.
• Texas – The Longhorns have struggled with consistency, dropping crucial conference matchups, and now need a statement win in the Big 12 Tournament to make the cut.

Teams like Oklahoma and Ohio State have made strong late-season pushes, earning key Quad 1 wins to sneak into the projected tournament field—for now. But nothing is guaranteed, and one misstep could send them tumbling out of the bracket. Meanwhile, Texas, UNC, and SDSU are on the outside looking in, needing at least one or two more wins to stay in the conversation. With conference tournaments in full swing, the next few days will be a battle for survival as these teams fight for their place in March Madness.

Teams on the Rise & Bracket-Busters to Watch

The conference tournaments often serve as a preview of March Madness itself, featuring upsets, buzzer-beaters, and unexpected deep runs that completely reshape the bracket. Check out our printable March Madness schedule so you know when your team(s) will be playing.

Oklahoma – A bubble team just days ago, but two Quad 1 wins, including a huge victory over Texas, have propelled them into the Last Four In category.
Indiana – Amid coaching turmoil, the Hoosiers have won five of their last seven, including statement wins over Michigan State and Purdue, keeping their tournament hopes alive.
Texas Tech – Jumped Kentucky for the final No. 2 seed, a spot that could still change depending on their performance in the Big 12 Tournament.

Meanwhile, teams like McNeese, Lipscomb, and Yale are positioned as potential Cinderella teams, ready to shake up brackets across the country.

March Madness 2025: Bracket Projections & Seeding Breakdown

Here’s a snapshot of the latest tournament projections as of March 12:

• Projected No. 1 Seeds: Auburn, Duke, Florida, Houston
• Projected No. 2 Seeds: Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan State, Texas A&M
• Projected No. 3 Seeds: St. John’s, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Kentucky
• Projected No. 4 Seeds: Wisconsin, Purdue, Maryland, Clemson

Lower seeds with bracket-busting potential include:

• No. 10 seeds: Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia
• No. 11 seeds: Oklahoma, Baylor, UC San Diego
• No. 12 seeds: McNeese, Xavier, Liberty, Yale
• No. 13 seeds: Lipscomb, High Point, Arkansas State, Akron

The Big Dance and BigBrackets

Get ready for the madness by downloading one of our March Madness brackets to track all the action! Whether you’re making bold predictions based on our NCAA intel, competing in a pool with friends, or simply following your favorite team’s journey, a printable bracket is the perfect way to stay engaged.

ith 68 teams battling for a national championship, upsets and Cinderella runs are inevitable—so make sure you have your bracket ready to mark every thrilling win and heartbreaking loss. Download your bracket now, print it out, and start filling in your picks before Selection Sunday! And With Selection Sunday just days away, the final tournament field is still taking shape with Conference Tournament results influencing the last few at-large spots, and we could still see major shakeups in seeding.

Key storylines to watch:
✅ Can Tennessee or Alabama steal a No. 1 seed from Florida?
✅ Will a bid-stealing underdog win their conference tournament and shake up the bubble?
✅ Which lower-seeded teams will emerge as Cinderella contenders?

The final days before the tournament are crucial for teams on the bubble, and as we all know, anything can happen in March Madness. Get ready for the chaos, upsets, and unforgettable moments that make this tournament so special!