Iowa State enters the 2025 NCAA Tournament without second-leading scorer Keshon Gilbert, who is out with a season-ending injury. Gilbert averages more than 13 points per game, which puts the Cyclones in a bind. They are facing No. 14 seed Lipscomb in the first round, with the Bisons expected to shoot a plethora of 3-pointers on Friday. Should that be one of the 2025 March Madness upset picks to target in the first round?
No. 1 seed Florida also plays its first-round game on Friday, with the Gators expected to cruise to a blowout win over No. 16 seed Norfolk State. They are also one of the most popular 2025 March Madness picks to win it all, but should you have them cutting down the nets with your 2025 NCAA bracket picks? Before making any 2025 March Madness bracket predictions, be sure to check out the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket picks from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Their proven projection model has simulated every game in the tournament 10,000 times. It has absolutely crushed its March Madness picks recently, beating over 91 percent of all CBS Sports brackets in four of the past six tournaments. It was all over UConn's championship run a year ago and nailed 13 teams in the Sweet 16. It also nailed Alabama's Cinderella run to the Final Four as a 4-seed.
It knows how to spot an upset as well. The same model has produced brackets that have nailed 24 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016. There's simply no reason to rely on luck when there's proven technology to help you dominate your 2025 March Madness pools.
Now, with the 2025 NCAA bracket being revealed, the model is simulating the matchups and its results are in. You can only see it over at SportsLine.
2025 March Madness bracket games to watch
One of the 2025 March Madness matchups to keep an eye on: No. 8 seed Mississippi State vs. No. 9 seed Baylor in the East Region. The Aggies have lost five of their last seven games and finished only 8-10 in regular season SEC play. They are led by guard Josh Hubbard, who averaged 18.7 points per game this season. Meanwhile, the Bears boast a super freshman talent in guard VJ Edgecombe, who averaged 15.0 points per game this season and is projected to go towards the top of the 2025 NBA Draft in June. This matchup, which seems likely to be close, tips off on Friday at 12:15 p.m. ET.
Also in the East Region, BYU vs. VCU figures to be a pivotal 6 vs. 11 matchup. The Cougars hold a sizable travel advantage in this game, as they head to Denver where they are used to dealing with elevation. VCU is remembered for its shocking Final Four run in 2011, and it is back in the Big Dance for the third time in the last five years. The Rams are coming off Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament titles, boasting their best record in 13 seasons. BYU faced a higher level of competition during the regular season though, so this could be one of the best games of the opening round.
The third matchup to watch in the East Region features No. 3 seed Wisconsin vs. No. 14 seed Montana. The Badgers are coming off a loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament title game on Sunday, which likely cost them a chance to play in Milwaukee rather than Denver. They are led by John Tonje, who averages 19.2 points per game and is a Player of the Year candidate. He is facing a Montana team that is making its 14th trip to the NCAA Tournament and is eyeing its first win since 2006. The Grizzlies came up short against the Badgers by a final score of 73-49 in a 13-4 matchup in 2012. You can see how far all these teams go over at SportsLine.
How to make 2025 NCAA bracket predictions
How far will those major programs go? And which Cinderella teams will make surprising runs through the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket? With the model's track record of calling bracket-busting upsets, you'll want to see which stunners it is calling this year before locking in any 2025 NCAA bracket picks.
So what's the optimal NCAA Tournament bracket 2025? And which 2025 March Madness underdogs will shock college basketball? Visit SportsLine now to see which teams you can back with confidence, all from the model that's nailed 24 upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception and beat over 91% of players in four of the last six tournaments.