NCAA Tournament 2025 Bracket Picks, Cinderella Teams, Upsets, How To Watch

With the 2025 NCAA Tournament on the horizon, the excitement of March Madness is in the air! This season has been packed with basketball drama, surprising upsets, and unexpected stars, creating an atmosphere that could be the most exhilarating time of the year for college sports enthusiasts.
Whether you're carefully planning your NCAA Tournament 2025 Bracket picks to claim victory in your office pool or simply soaking in the madness, this year's tournament promises a lot of thrills. In this guide, we will look at possible NCAA Tournament 2025 Cinderella teams, bracket selections, potential upsets, and ways to follow all the action as it happens!
*Note: Be sure to enter the FREE Fantasy Alarm Bracket Challenge before it's too late!
NCAA Tournament 2025 Cinderella Teams For March Madness
When we mention NCAA Tournament 2025 Cinderella teams, we think of those surprising underdogs that go against the odds and make impressive runs in the tournament, often taking down higher-ranked teams.
Here are some NCAA Tournament 2025 Cinderella teams to keep an eye on this year:
Colorado State Rams (No. 12 Seed, West Region)
Coming off a 10-game winning streak, Colorado State is riding a wave of momentum. With standout player Nique Clifford, who has amazing scoring potential, the Rams combine a strong offense with a reliable defense, making them a tough No. 12 seed.
High Point Panthers (No. 13 Seed, Midwest Region)
After earning their first-ever spot in the NCAA tournament, High Point is a scoring powerhouse. With three players averaging over 13 points per game and a talent for sharing the scoring, they are set to give their first-round opponent, Purdue, a run for their money.
UC San Diego Tritons (No. 12 Seed, South Region)
Making their tournament debut after moving up to Division I, UCSD has the chance to pull off a surprising upset. Led by star Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones and a strong defense, they could pose a challenge to Michigan in their opening game.
Drake Bulldogs (No. 11 Seed, West Region)
The Bulldogs have fought their way into the tournament with the slowest pace in the nation, but they know how to control the game tempo. Under first-year coach Ben McCollum, they have the discipline and talent to take down higher seeds.
Liberty Flames (No. 12 Seed, East Region)
Known for their exceptional three-point shooting, Liberty ranks among the best teams in the country in this area. Their ability to score from long range makes them a dark horse in their matchup against No. 5 Oregon.
NCAA Tournament 2025 Bracket Picks & Potential Upsets
The NCAA Tournament is always full of surprises. Here are some NCAA Tournament 2025 Bracket picks and possible upsets that could change your pool results:
Michigan State Spartans (No. 2 Seed)
I believe Michigan State will go all the way. They have a strong team that performs well under pressure. With their skill and balance, they are ready to chase the championship.
Colorado State Rams over Memphis (12 vs. 5)
Historically, 12-seeds have upset 5-seeds almost 40% of the time. After finishing the season strong, the Rams might just pull off the upset that many are predicting.
Yale Bulldogs (No. 13 Seed) beating Texas A&M (No. 4 Seed)
Yale has shown they can compete with higher-seeded teams before. Their solid defense and smart offense could give them the advantage over the Aggies.
Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 10 Seed) taking down Kansas (No. 7 Seed)
The tough competition in the SEC puts Arkansas in a good spot to move forward. Don’t overlook their chances against a Kansas team that has had its ups and downs.
How To Bet On March Madness In 2025
If you want to take a chance with your bracket predictions or NCAA Tournament 2025 Cinderella teams, betting on college basketball can be really exciting. Here’s a simple list to help you get started:
- Select a Trustworthy Sportsbook
- Learn About Betting Types
- Watch for Line Changes
- Research Teams
- Explore Prop Bets
- Gamble Responsibly
Some of the more popular sportsbook options include the likes of DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Bet365, and more! In fact, if you haven’t yet created an account at any of these platforms, check out our sportsbook promotions that’ll award you a head-start with your first wager or two!
How To Watch March Madness Today
There are plenty of ways to keep up with all of your NCAA Tournament 2025 Bracket picks! Here’s how you can watch March Madness:
- Broadcast Channels: The main channels airing the games are CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Be sure to check your local listings for the exact times of the matches.
- Streaming Services: You can find live coverage on various streaming platforms like Hulu Live, YouTube TV, and Sling TV. Just make sure your subscription includes these channels.
- NCAA March Madness Live App: Get the official app for live streaming and real-time updates. If you log in through a participating TV provider, you might even be able to stream for free.
March Madness brings an exciting energy that draws in both die-hard basketball fans and casual viewers. With the chance for shocking upsets, inspiring underdog stories, and surprising twists, 2025 is set to deliver all of that and more!
Whether you’re cheering for a top team or one of the NCAA Tournament 2025 Cinderella teams, the thrill of March Madness is in its surprises. Enjoy the tournament and may your NCAA Tournament 2025 Bracket picks be strong!
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.