The dust has settled on the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 pairings for the NCAA 2025 March Madness Men’s Tournament. The Final Four is stacked with four one-seed teams, each contending for a championship title.
In a high-energy match between two powerhouse schools, Duke outlasted Arizona, piloting an aggressive strategy centered around their star offensive players. The Blue Devils’ guards lit up the scoreboard, while Arizona couldn’t keep pace despite a late rally.
Alabama’s offense was well utilized in their game against BYU, putting up a jaw-dropping 113 points. BYU had no answer for the Crimson Tide’s aggressiveness and athleticism, as Alabama stormed into the Elite Eight with passion.
In their Elite 8 match, Duke dominated from the opening tip. Alabama never had a solid footing on the paint, while Duke flexed its depth and discipline and beat Alabama squarely, 85-65, giving them a spot as contenders in the Final Four.
“Duke is obviously a powerhouse team with a great coach,” said Leah Smith, a junior economics major. “I think Duke will come out on top, but I want Florida to win, just because Duke is the favorite.”
In one of the closest games of the Sweet 16, Texas Tech beat out Arkansas with game-winning free throws and tough defense through the second half. The Red Raiders showed incredible grit, staving off a late surge from the Razorbacks.
When Florida met Maryland in the Sweet 16, the Gators controlled the game from start to finish. Their suffocating defense left Maryland without answers, beating them out, 87-71.
In their Elite 8 match, Florida’s backcourt was prominent, leading an aggressive charge past a tough Texas Tech squad. The Gators’ sheer size and composure in the final minutes sealed the deal as they punched their ticket to the Final Four.
Back in the Sweet 16, A defensive battle between Houston and Purdue saw the Cougars just beat Purdue by 2 points in the final seconds. Clutch shot-making and late-game execution proved the difference as the Cougars moved one step closer to another Final Four.
“This game was crazy,” said Brett Peterson, a graduate student studying Buissniuss Administration. “The 2-point difference and back-to-back rally was an amazing thing to watch. I really thought Purdue was going to win, but honestly, I think I underestimated Houston as a one-seed.”
A showdown between Tennessee and Kentucky proved an exciting game in the Sweet 16, as the Volunteers put on a defensive clinic, forcing Kentucky into tough shots and controlling the pace. Tennessee looked focused and ready for the big stage as they beat out Kentucky, 78-65.
When Houston met Tennessee in the Elite 8, the Cougars smothered Tennessee on defense, limiting their scoring options and owning the paint. Houston looked every bit the championship contender, displaying their relentlessness with a 19-point difference to close out this game.
In the final matchups to determine the Final Four, Auburn met Michigan in an explosive match. The Tigers overpowered Michigan with physicality on the paint and strong 3-point shooting. Auburn has proved it belongs in the championship conversation, beating out Michigan 78-65.
Then, Michigan State met Ole Miss, and an effort by the Spartans kept their title hopes alive. MSU fended off a feisty Ole Miss squad with poise and accurate shots, giving MSU the chance to face Auburn in the Elite 8.
Unfortunately, one more Michigan school would become Tiger food, as Auburn’s balanced attacks and timely turnovers proved too much for the Spartans. With this win, Auburn makes a strong case as a dark horse to win it all in San Antonio.
“I think Florida is definitely going to beat Auburn,” Smith said. “I didn’t pick them, but looking at their roster and their shooting, I think Florida’s going to win. Their rebound game is very good and especially higher up at the men’s level, there is not a lot of urgency to specialize in the intangibles (like rebounding), but Florida does them.”
This past week has decided Final Four standings, with Florida, Duke, Houston and Auburn all contending for the championship. Florida will battle Auburn on Saturday, April 5th, and Duke will play Houston directly afterwards, in what looks to be an extremely high-octane championship.