Helena Frye
The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is an annual, open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played during the summer in the United States, with a cash prize for the winners. The number of teams participating in the tournament has varied over the years, but since 2016, it has mostly featured a 64-team field. The tournament has attracted current and former NBA players, including Hakim Warrick, Jason Williams, and Rudy Gay. In 2024, the UConn Huskies were the nation's top pick to win the NCAA men's basketball tournament, while Duke was the top pick in 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 14 March 2023 – 3 April 2023 |
| Winner | UConn Huskies |
| Runner-up | San Diego State Aztecs |
| Score | 76-59 |
| Stadium | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas |
| No. of teams | 68 |
| No. of upsets | 9 |
| No. of upsets in the first round | 4 |
| No. of upsets in the second round | 3 |
| No. of upsets in the Sweet Sixteen | 1 |
| No. of upsets in the Elite Eight | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
- Duke: the nation's top pick to win the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament
- Florida: the second-most popular pick in the region
- Tennessee: one of the four No. 2 seeds and the second-most popular pick
- UConn: the nation's top pick to win the 2024 NCAA men's basketball tournament
- Texas A&M: Scott Williams' choice to win the region
Duke: the nation's top pick to win the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament
Duke University, also known as the Blue Devils, was the nation's favourite to win the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. According to the Men's Bracket Challenge Game (BCG) brackets, Duke was picked to win the national championship by 30.97% of entries, a significant margin ahead of the second-most picked team, Florida, at 17.51%.
Duke's popularity as the nation's top pick is notable, especially when compared to the previous year's tournament, where defending champion UConn was the most-picked team at 26.09%. The Huskies went on to win the championship, becoming the first repeat champions since Florida in 2006-2007.
Duke's strong position in the 2025 tournament was likely due to their impressive record. They swept the ACC regular season and tournament titles, achieving a remarkable 31-3 record. This led to them receiving a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
However, despite Duke's dominance in the predictions, the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament concluded on April 7, with Florida defeating Houston to claim the championship title. Florida, the SEC regular season runners-up, had a record of 35-4 going into the championship game, while Houston, the Big 12 regular season and tournament champions, had an impressive fourth consecutive thirty-win season.
Although Duke was the nation's top pick, they were unable to secure the championship, falling to Houston, who ultimately finished as the runner-up.
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Florida: the second-most popular pick in the region
Florida is a popular pick to win the basketball tournament. In 2025, Florida was the second-most popular pick to win the national championship, with 17.51% of Men's BCG brackets choosing them. This put them behind only Duke, who were picked by 30.97% of brackets. Florida was also one of the four No. 1 seeds, along with Duke, Auburn, and Houston.
Florida has a strong history in the tournament, being the most recent team before UConn in 2024 to successfully retain the championship, winning in 2006 and 2007. This success may be a factor in Florida being a popular pick to win the tournament. In 2025, Florida beat Houston in the national championship, which may also contribute to their popularity in 2025.
In addition to their historical success, Florida's performance in the 2025 season may also have influenced their popularity among picks. They were one of only two teams to receive double-figure votes (22) from ESPN analysts, along with Duke, who also received 22 votes. This put them ahead of Houston, who received 10 votes, and other teams, such as Arizona, Auburn, Maryland, and St. John's, who received only one vote each.
Florida's success in the 2025 season may have been a significant factor in their popularity as a pick to win the tournament. Their performance in the 2025 season, combined with their historical success, may have led many to believe that they were capable of winning the tournament again.
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Tennessee: one of the four No. 2 seeds and the second-most popular pick
Tennessee is one of the four No. 2 seeds and the second-most popular pick to win the basketball tournament. According to ESPN, the Volunteers have one of the best defenses in the country, and 28% of the public agrees with Jim Boeheim, Pete Thamel, and a few others about their chances to win the Midwest. Tennessee is also one of the eight most-picked champions, along with the four No. 1 seeds (Duke, Florida, Auburn, and Houston) and the other three No. 2 seeds (Michigan State, St. John's, and Alabama).
ESPN's panel of 58 analysts, writers, and commentators offered their predictions for the men's Final Four and national champion. While Duke was the top pick for the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Tennessee was a close second. The Volunteers' strong defensive strategy likely contributed to their popularity among fans and analysts.
In the lead-up to the tournament, ESPN's commentators and former coaches also made their predictions. Scott Williams chose Texas A&M, citing their offensive rebounding prowess, while Phil Martelli Sr. selected No. 15 Bryant, coached by his son, Phil Martelli Jr. Other teams receiving votes in the Midwest region included Clemson, who entered the tournament with an impressive 15-2 record in their last 17 games, and Florida, who was the most popular pick in the region.
The predictions for the 2025 tournament were less clear-cut than in previous years, with a tie for the final winner between Duke and Florida, each receiving 22 votes. Tennessee, as a No. 2 seed and the second-most popular pick, is definitely a team to watch in the tournament. Their strong defensive strategy and the support of fans and analysts put them in a good position to make a deep run in the tournament.
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UConn: the nation's top pick to win the 2024 NCAA men's basketball tournament
UConn is the nation's top pick to win the 2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The UConn Huskies were chosen by 26.09% of participants in the Men's Bracket Challenge Game, more than twice as many as the next two picks, Houston (10.94%) and North Carolina (9.9%). This would be UConn's sixth NCAA title, tying them with North Carolina for the third-most Division I men's titles in history, behind Kentucky (eight) and UCLA (11).
The 2024 tournament involved 68 teams playing in a single-elimination format to determine the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball national champion for the 2023-24 season. The tournament saw a total of nine upsets, with seven in the first round, one in the Sweet Sixteen, and one in the Elite Eight. UConn received the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament and defeated Purdue 75-60 in the final to claim their second consecutive national championship. This was the first time the top seed had won since Kentucky in 2012, and UConn became the first defending champion to advance to the Sweet Sixteen since 2016.
UConn's victory gave head coach Dan Hurley his second national title, joining a select group of coaches, including John Wooden, Mike Krzyzewski, and Billy Donovan, as the only coaches to have won back-to-back championships. The Huskies finished the season with an impressive 18-2 conference record, losing only their Big East Conference opener against Seton Hall. They then went on to win the Big East tournament, where they were seeded No. 1, winning all three of their games en route to the championship.
With their sixth national championship, UConn has solidified their position as one of the most dominant forces in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The team's consistent performance and ability to overcome strong opponents have earned them the nation's top pick status for the 2024 tournament. Their victory over Purdue in the final game further cements their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
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Texas A&M: Scott Williams' choice to win the region
ESPN commentator and former head coach Scott Williams has chosen Texas A&M to win the region in the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament. Texas A&M is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country. The Aggies have appeared in the NCAA tournament 18 times, most recently in 2025.
Texas A&M's basketball team has a history of success, with notable wins and strong seasons. In the 2006-07 season, the Aggies secured a win over #6 Kansas, the first for a Big 12 South team since the conference's formation. They received a #3 seed in the 2007 NCAA championship tournament, their highest seed ever, and reached the Sweet 16. In the postseason, Texas A&M achieved its highest ranking ever in school history at #9.
The Aggies have also experienced some inconsistency, with early-season losses and setbacks. In the 2022-23 season, they finished with a strong record of 25-10, including 15-3 in SEC play, but were given a lower seed in the NCAA tournament due to early losses. The 2023-24 season brought more inconsistency, resulting in a 21-14 record and an early exit from the tournament.
Despite the mixed results in recent years, Scott Williams' choice of Texas A&M as a potential winner highlights the team's strengths and their ability to compete at the highest level. With their strong rebounding capabilities and a history of success, Texas A&M has the potential to make a deep run in the tournament and challenge for the regional title.
Other teams in the running to win the tournament include Duke, Florida, Auburn, Houston, Michigan State, St. John's, Tennessee, and Alabama.
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Frequently asked questions
Duke is the nation's top pick to win the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament, receiving 30.97% of the votes.
UConn is the nation's top pick to win the 2024 NCAA men's basketball tournament, receiving 26.09% of the votes.
TBT is an open-invitation, single-elimination tournament played each summer in the United States. The prize money for the winning team is $1 million.
