Every year, college basketball analysts put their expertise to the test, attempting to predict the unpredictable, March Madness. ESPN’s Jay Williams has made his picks known, and while they may seem safe, fans were quick to call him out for his conservative approach.
Williams stuck to the chalk, picking only No. 1 and No. 2 seeds throughout his Elite Eight, with all four No. 1 seeds making his Final Four.
Jay Williams’ Bracket Breakdown
In a tweet, one fan sarcastically remarked that ESPN’s Jay Williams didn’t pick any surprise teams to make the Final Four.
Jay Williams has all 1 and 2 seeds in the Elite 8 and all 1 seeds in the Final Four lol.
— Andrew Cumbow (@ACumbow) March 16, 2025
His cautious approach may be backed by logic, but as history has shown, the NCAA Tournament rarely follows a script.
Williams’ Final Four consists of No. 1 seeds Florida, Auburn, Duke, and Houston, teams that have dominated the college basketball landscape all season. His championship matchup is Florida vs. Duke, with the Gators ultimately cutting down the nets in San Antonio, Texas.
While these teams are undoubtedly among the best in the country, recent history suggests that upsets have become more common, making an all-1-seed Final Four far from a sure thing.
Williams’ bracket strategy looks smart on paper, but March Madness thrives on chaos. Just last year, three of the four Final Four teams were seeded No. 4 or lower, proving that lower-seeded squads are more than capable of making deep runs. With parity increasing in college basketball, a perfect bracket filled with top seeds is far from guaranteed.
Is Florida The Best Team in the Country?
Williams’ confidence in Florida aligns with the belief of many analysts, including Jay Bilas, who also picked the Gators as his national champion. Florida is fresh off its first SEC Tournament championship since 2014, and head coach Todd Golden has his team peaking at the right time.
After storming through Missouri, Alabama, and Tennessee, the Gators proved they are the best team in the SEC and have what it takes to go the distance. Led by a dominant frontcourt and a well-balanced offense, Florida has been described as an “unbelievable hockey team” due to their depth and ability to wear down opponents.
Are Williams’ Picks Too Safe?
It’s easy to criticize Williams for playing it safe, but history has shown that top teams usually find their way to the Final Four. That said, the unpredictability of March Madness makes his picks a gamble in their own right.
KEEP READING: Who Will Win March Madness? Why This Obvious Team Is the Statistically Sound Pick
If Florida does indeed win it all, Williams will look like a genius. But if chaos ensues, fans won’t let him forget his lack of boldness in making bracket predictions.
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