NCAA Bracket Predictions: Model Reveals Unexpected Picks for the 2025 March Madness Tournament

 NCAA Bracket Predictions: Model Reveals Unexpected Picks for the 2025 March Madness Tournament

Clemson has achieved a program-record 27 wins this season, earning them the No. 5 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Historically, No. 5 seeds hold an impressive 101-55 record against No. 12 seeds in the tournament's first round. After reaching the Elite Eight last season, the Tigers face a challenging path to their first Final Four appearance in San Antonio, contending with seasoned teams like Houston, Purdue, Kentucky, and Tennessee in the Midwest Region.

The Tigers kick off their journey toward the Final Four on Thursday against No. 12 McNeese State. Should you bet on Clemson for a deep tournament run, or consider other No. 5 seeds like Memphis, Michigan, or Oregon? Before finalizing your picks for the 2025 March Madness bracket, take a look at the reliable predictions from SportsLine’s advanced computer model.

This model has simulated every game of the tournament 10,000 times and has proven its accuracy by surpassing 91% of CBS Sports brackets in four of the last six tournaments. It successfully predicted UConn's championship run last year and accurately identified 13 teams that made it to the Sweet 16. It also foresaw Alabama's stunning run to the Final Four as a 4-seed.

The model excels at identifying upsets, having correctly forecasted 24 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since it launched in 2016. With such effective technology at your disposal, there’s no need to rely on luck when making your 2025 March Madness bracket picks.

With the 2025 NCAA bracket now unveiled, the model has completed its simulations of the matchups, and the results are available exclusively at SportsLine.

 Three Key Matchups to Watch in March Madness 2025

1. No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 12 UC San Diego (South Region)  

One of the most captivating matchups features Michigan taking on UC San Diego. The Tritons have made headlines with a 15-game winning streak and boast one of the top defenses in the country, allowing only 61.6 points per game, good for sixth nationally. Meanwhile, Michigan has found its stride after winning the Big Ten Tournament, fueled by a formidable duo of seven-footers, Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, who could create mismatches in the paint.

2. No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton (South Region)  

This game promises plenty of star power. Louisville has surged, winning 11 of its last 12 games, thanks to standout performances from Terrence Edwards Jr. and Chucky Hepburn, each averaging over 16 points per game. Creighton counters with center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who averages 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. Kalkbrenner is also notable for being only the second player, alongside Patrick Ewing, to secure the Big East Defensive Player of the Year title four times.

3. No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 13 Yale (South Region)  

Another exciting matchup is Texas A&M facing Yale. The Aggies struggle offensively, ranking among the lowest in field goal and three-point percentages, though they lead the nation in offensive rebounding. Their strong defense, ranked seventh by KenPom, helps compensate for their offensive woes. Yale had a tough outing in its sole game against a 2025 NCAA tournament team, allowing 92 points. However, the Bulldogs excel offensively, ranking in the top 12 in field goal and three-point percentages, and they previously upset a fourth-seeded Auburn team in last year's tournament.

Check out the model's 2025 NCAA bracket picks for more insights!

 How to Make Your 2025 NCAA Bracket Predictions

Which teams will emerge victorious in these pivotal matchups? Which squads might pull off unexpected runs during the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Given the model's impressive history of predicting bracket-busting upsets, be sure to see its up-to-the-minute predictions before finalizing your bracket selections.