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    Men’s March Madness 2025: Who’s Favored To Reach the Elite Eight? Odds & Projections

    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.

    college basketball power rankings from 1 to 364
    College Sports Network’s CBB Power Rankings analyze every team’s strength in a proprietary ranking system, from No. 1 to No. 364. Who are the real contenders?

    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.

    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.

    MORE: March Madness Sleepers — Ranking The Double-Digit Seeds

    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.

    KEEP READING: March Madness Formula and the Sweet 16 Team Pool

    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.

    Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!

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