Sixty-eight teams will start this week in contention to win the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

As the 2025 NCAA Tournament approaches, a single fact remains clear: the excitement is palpable. Sixty-eight teams will vie for glory, but only one will emerge victorious after the final horn sounds on April 7. This annual tournament, affectionately known as 'March Madness', captivates fans across the nation, leading them to engage in friendly competition by filling out their own brackets. The thrill of uncertainty and the joy of potential upsets make this event a cornerstone of American sporting culture. To maximize your chances of victory in bracket pools, the CBS Sports team’s expert opinions help navigate the landscape of this fierce tournament. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander, veterans in the basketball journalism field, have offered their predictions, analysis, and personal brackets. They emphasize the importance of arming yourself with information while filling out your own bracket. Whether you decide to follow their advice to the letter or choose to pivot in your selections, informed choices are crucial in this wildly unpredictable competition. This year, the analysts highlight Auburn as a top contender. Despite its recent struggles, where they’ve lost three of their last four games, Auburn’s deep talent pool and historical performance under Coach Bruce Pearl lead many to believe they can defy expectations in this chaotic tournament setting. The team may not have won after entering a tournament with such a pre-tournament slump, but that’s what makes the ‘Madness’ aspect of March so thrilling. Houston, another power contender, is similarly highlighted with its incredibly balanced roster and emerging offensive prowess, making them a force to reckon with. Yet, the loss of star player Cooper Flagg will certainly leave Duke fans on edge as they navigate through the competition. Analysts are cautious but optimistic about Duke’s chances, particularly if Flagg returns to form. In addition, Florida showcases an impressive late-season surge, declaring their intent through a dominant performance in the SEC Tournament. With their combination of dynamic guards and relentless bigs, the Gators pose a formidable threat to any potential adversaries. Further complicating brackets this year are the factors of injuries and depth. Players like Flagg are pivotal in determining outcomes, making each game laden with surprise potential. The analysts point to the bracket dynamics where historical powerhouses might face unexpected challenges against underdogs, making momentum a crucial element as reflective of Florida's current form. As teams like Duke navigate rivalry-heavy paths to the Final Four, the outcomes remain uncertain. Furthermore, the distribution of teams from various leagues showcases a landscape richer than any prior years. For instance, the SEC's impressive haul of spots juxtaposes against traditional powerhouses like Michigan or Kansas, setting the stage for thrilling matchups and potential buzz-worthy upsets. In conclusion, the 2025 NCAA Tournament promises not only the spectacle of athletic competition but also camaraderie and community engagement as friends, families, and colleagues gather to share their brackets. The frenzy surrounding the tournament is a microcosm of the unpredictability of sports itself. With expert opinions and narratives guiding discussions, fans from all walks of life can immerse themselves in the excitement of every slam dunk and buzzer-beater. Prepare your brackets and get ready to join in on the madness, and may the best team cut down the nets in San Antonio! The analysis of this article has been reviewed by artificial intelligence to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.