NCAA Tournament Bracket Watch 2025: Teams with the most and least to gain this week

(Editor’s be aware: This text is a part of the Bracket Central collection, an inside have a look at the run-up to the boys’s & ladies’s NCAA Tournaments, together with evaluation and picks throughout the tournaments.)

Drake’s in, so we are able to dispense with the arguments about whether or not Ben McCollum’s Bulldogs would have made the sphere of 68 with out profitable the Missouri Valley tourney (they most likely wouldn’t have), save follow-up discussions in regards to the plight of the mid-major and match enlargement for one more day and easily recognize the truth that this match is best with Drake in it.

Lipscomb’s in, too. And Excessive Level. And SIU-Edwardsville. And Omaha. With the Solar Belt and Southern Convention scheduled to supply champions Monday. And on by means of the week we’ll go, into energy convention tournaments and ending on Choice Sunday. The groups enjoying for these automated bids and the at-large hopefuls proper across the bubble have essentially the most at stake this week, after all — test for normal updates this week on Jim Root’s Bubble Watch.

However what in regards to the stakes in protected elements of the bracket? Listed here are 5 groups which have a lot to achieve of their convention tournaments and 5 that don’t.

5 that ought to go laborious this week

Florida: I’ve bought Florida because the final No. 1 seed after an unlimited win at Alabama, and a No. 1 seed is value it merely to ensure Auburn/Duke avoidance. Although I’m undecided Florida needs to be apprehensive about avoiding anybody, the best way the Gators are enjoying.

Alabama: It’s so shut between Florida and Alabama. If issues go the best way this bracket unfolded, it wouldn’t a lot matter as a result of the No. 4 general seed and No. 5 general seed bought shipped out West collectively. Nevertheless it doesn’t must unfold that means. The one clear rule is that No. 5 general can’t be with No. 1 general.

Tennessee: It’s so shut between Alabama and Tennessee, too. These three seem like combating for one spot as a result of Houston is inching towards No. 1 lock standing. Nevertheless it’s value it for the Vols to be the next No. 2 than Alabama — that’s the distinction proper now between beginning in Lexington or Cleveland.

Wisconsin: The Badgers have to get their swagger again. Additionally, a No. 3 seed remains to be very attainable and value pursuing.

UConn: The Huskies want to keep up momentum. And get the heck out of getting to play in an 8/9 sport.

5 that will be higher off bailing out and resting

Auburn: Two straight losses haven’t modified the truth that that is the clear finest resume within the sport. You’re outright SEC champs. Somewhat than beat your self up over three days, inform everybody your bus broke down and get Johni Broome’s left ankle some relaxation.

Duke: The No. 1 general seed could possibly be attained, I suppose. However so what? Duke can be a No. 1 seed with a Raleigh-Newark path. Auburn can be a No. 1 seed with a Lexington-Atlanta path. This week is nothing however harm publicity.

Michigan State: I don’t see the Spartans cracking the highest line — although they are often pushy! I additionally don’t see how they fall to a No. 3 seed. One other outright champ that doesn’t want the effort.

St. John’s: A begin in Windfall needs to be assured with a No. 3 seed. So moderately than go all out for a No. 2, possibly get a number of thousand pictures up as a substitute?

Houston: OK, go laborious for one win, simply to ensure on that No. 1 seed.

We’ll be again Thursday with a brand new bracket, after which it’s every single day till the large day.

The Bracket Central collection is sponsored by E*Commerce from Morgan Stanley.
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Sponsors don’t have any management over or enter into the reporting or modifying course of and don’t evaluation tales earlier than publication.

(Photograph of Walter Clayton Jr: Matt Pendleton / Imagn Pictures)