It's March Madness once again and we're less than an hour away from the opening tip-off of Louisville and Creighton. This NCAA Tournament has many experts and pundits running chalk (sorry, Kansas, I didn't mean rock chalk), but that's not how we roll around these parts.
In this bracket, we cheer for the upset. In this bracket, we put all of our eggs into one solitary basket. In this bracket, we lean full-tilt into the madness.
We may also be a bit irrational in our faith toward BYU. Every man has his vice.
But with the clock ticking down before the official beginning of the 2025 NCAA Tournament Round of 64, it's time to be bold, make some official predictions, and watch as I spiral into a deep depression for having been such a blind man.
I'm done with this introduction; let me at the bracket!
Picks for Every Round of 64 Matchup
South Region
Auburn vs Alabama State
Sorry, Hornets, but your March Magic ends here. Great game-winner in the First Four, but Auburn is too much to handle.
Winner: Auburn
Louisville vs Creighton
The Cardinals are obscenely underseeded, and they'll come into this game with a chip on their shoulder. Louisville staves off a gritty Creighton effort.
Winner: Louisville
Michigan vs UC San Diego
The Tritons are a team poised for an upset, and I say we give it to them. They're a trendy pick this year, and I'll join in with the hipsters this once.
Winner: UCSD
Texas A&M vs Yale
Yale has done me very well in previous iterations of the tournament, and I believe the luck has run out for these Bulldogs -- at least for this year. A shaky A&M squad advances.
Winner: TAMU
Ole Miss vs North Carolina
The Tar Heels may not deserve to be in the tournament this March, but you can't deny that this UNC squad was playing inspired basketball in their rout of San Diego State in the First Four. Sorry, Ole Miss, I just don't believe you'll stop this freight train.
Winner: UNC
Iowa State vs Lipscomb
Gilbert is out, sure, but Iowa State is one of the best squads in college basketball. Cyclones by a million.
Winner: ISU
Marquette vs New Mexico
New Mexico has had a good season. Marquette was poised for a great year but tumbled down the Big East slopes down the stretch. Doesn't matter in the end for me, though. This Marquette side is still as dangerous as ever.
Winner: Marquette
Michigan State vs Bryant
Tom Izzo will have his Spartans ready for battle come tip-off. It may not always be pretty, but this Michigan State team knows how to win.
Winner: Sparty
West Region
Florida vs Norfolk State
The Gators will be a popular pick to win it all. Even more popular, they'll likely advance past Norfolk State with little to no resistance.
Winner: Florida
UConn vs Oklahoma
UConn is the 8-seed? Sooners, this wasn't fair to you and it's not your fault. The two-time defending champs know how to win in March, and they do so here.
Winner: UConn
Memphis vs Colorado State
The Rams are actually favored to win this game outright as a 12-seed. Does that make me brave for going against the grain and picking the Tigers?
Winner: Memphis
Maryland vs Grand Canyon
The Terps are seriously good enough to run through the Final Four. Maryland big in this one.
Winner: Maryland
Missouri vs Drake
The Drake Bulldogs are slow, methodical, and downright agonizing to play against. They'll be a nightmare for Mizzou in this one.
Winner: Drake
Texas Tech vs UNC Wilmington
It's not so much that I'm a TTU believer, I just don't have any expectations for UNCW in this tournament. As always, I could be wrong, but I don't think the Red Raiders are upset bait.
Winner: TTU
Kansas vs Arkansas
Seriously a coin toss as two legendary coaches go head-to-head. Kansas was the number-one preseason team for a reason, however, and I believe they have the talent to advance.
Winner: Kansas
St John's vs Omaha
I love Omaha's energy, and I truly wish I could send out an advisory to every trash can in the arena, but the Johnnies are a brutal draw for any inferior squad. On paper, Omaha doesn't stand a chance.
Winner: St. John's
East Region
Duke vs Mount Saint Mary's
In a shocking turn, Mount Saint Mary's pulls off the upset! ...then promptly turns off their XBox to celebrate with their friends. Duke, by a lot.
Winner: Duke
Mississippi State vs Baylor
Call me a Big 12 homer, but I love the vibes of this Baylor squad, and I really need to pick a 9-seed. VJ Edgecombe, hear my call.
Winner: Baylor
Oregon vs Liberty
Liberty will be another trendy upset pick this season, and against a hit-or-miss Oregon side, I'd understand jumping at another 5-12 upset. Not me, though. Dana Altman and the Ducks survive.
Winner: Oregon
Arizona vs Akron
The Akron side don't have enough tangy zip in their miracle whip to escape the Wildcats.
Winner: Arizona
BYU vs VCU
I'm not compromising my identity for a measly upset.
Winner: BYU
Wisconsin vs Montana
Do I have the gall to run with the Grizz? My heart screams yes, but my brain controls my fingers.
Winner: Wiscy
Saint Mary's vs Vanderbilt
This is a very good Saint Mary's team, and Vanderbilt doesn't stand off the page for me for any reason. Welcome back, old WCC buddy.
Winner: St. Mary's
Alabama vs Robert Morris
If the Tide cough up the basketball, this game could turn into trouble. But one man named Robert simply cannot withstand the Crimson Tide.
Winner: Alabama
Midwest Region
Houston vs SIUE
I'm not even going to bother googling what SIUE stands for.
Winner: Houston
Gonzaga vs Georgia
The Zags have legitimate Final Four potential, and that scares me to death. Georgia becomes their first victim.
Winner: Gonzaga
Clemson vs McNeese State
Will Wade and McNeese had a better shot last season. Sorry, guys.
Winner: Clemson
Purdue vs High Point
Purdue is a really good basketball team, despite losing Zach Edey. Their offense is better than High Point and they have a competent defense. By all accounts they should win this one running away. Will I regret going with High Point, anyway?
Winner: High Point
Illinois vs Xavier
Xavier, congratulations on your victory over Texas -- it's a tremendous accomplishment. Why don't you stop by our gift shop as Kasparas Jakucionis shows you the door?
Winner: Illini
Kentucky vs Troy
Heaven help me, but Kentucky is welcoming a large wooden horse through the doors of Rupp Arena.
Winner: Trojans
UCLA vs Utah State
You won't hear me say this very often, so pay close attention: Go Aggies.
Winner: Utah State
Tennessee vs Wofford
Volunteers clear the Terriers. Wofford was an underdog in their own conference tournament, and they're a bigger underdog here.
Winner: Tennessee