March Madness might be the most unpredictable sporting event in all of the sports, but have no fear, as CSN is here to help you with all your bracket needs.
During the first two weekends of March Madness, so many teams get eliminated, and by the second Saturday of the tournament, there will be just eight teams remaining. Read on to find out who I think those eight teams are and what their odds are to make it there.
2025 March Madness Elite Eight Predictions
With the bracket officially out, we can now predict which teams are the most likely to make it to the Elite Eight in 2025. Below you will see my eight picks as well as their odds to make it, So without further ado here are the teams who I think will be in the Elite Eight this year.
1) Duke Blue Devils, -240
Not only are the Blue Devils my pick to win it all this year, but they also have one of the easiest paths to the Elite Eight.
GOT THE 1️⃣ IN THE EAST‼️😈#MarchMadness 🪩🕺 pic.twitter.com/52n7m3nYB1
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 16, 2025
Even without Cooper Flagg, Duke is playing lights-out basketball and I think as their odds indicate it’d be a huge surprise if they’re not in the Elite Eight.
2) Auburn Tigers, -190
Aside from Duke’s path to Elite Eight, I think the second easiest way to get there is Auburn’s. Auburn drew a pretty light schedule and should not face many roadbumps along the way. I think they match up well with all of their potential opponents, and will have no problem making it.
3) Alabama Crimson Tide, +120
While Alabama is plus money, the rate at which they can score should prove to be too big of a problem for anyone besides Duke in their region to beat. The good news for Alabama is that they won’t face Duke until the Elite Eight, so I think they will get to it without any problems.
4) Houston Cougars -140
The Houston Cougars have the best team I think they’ve ever had this season. If there was a year for them to get over the hump, I think it’s 2025.
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However, drawing a Gonzaga in the second round and or a Clemson or Purdue in the Sweet 16 could inhibit their ability to make it to the Elite Eight. While I think they still get there, their path is not the easiest.
5) Tennessee Volunteers, +128
I’m not as high on the Vols as some other people are. However, their path to the Elite Eight might be the easiest out of anyone’s. They start with Wofford and then play UCLA or Utah State, followed by likely Kentucky. While Kentucky could beat them, I don’t see first-year head coach Mark Pope beating Rick Barnes.
6) Florida Gators, -260
Let me first clear the air by saying I think Florida is the second-best team behind Duke in this tournament. However, they have far and away the hardest No. 1 seed path to the Elite Eight. Having to play the back-to-back champs UCONN or a red-hot Oklahoma team in round two is tough, and then drawing Maryland or Memphis in the Sweet 16 is worse. I think Florida gets there, but it is a tough path.
7) Texas Tech Red Raiders, +182
I’m very high on this Texas Tech team and think they are deep enough and talented enough to make a run here in March. Texas Tech starts against UNC Willmington and then has to play the winner of Drake or Missouri. Then they’d likely face St. John’s, which is a wagon, but I think Tech matches up well with them. It’s not an ideal path, but again, I think the Red Raiders are a very good team.
8) Michigan State Spartans, +158
While I can’t emphasize enough the job that Izzo has done with this Michigan State team, they’re so low on this list because of their path.
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Drawing Marquette in the second round is not an ideal matchup and then likely having to play a very talented Iowa State squad in the Sweet 16 is rough as well. I think the Spartans can get there, but their path is challenging.
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