The NCAA released the 2025 bracket preview on Saturday, February 15.

In that, they ranked the top 16 teams on the seed list if the NCAA Tournament were to begin today. Just one month from Selection Sunday, most teams have developed their resumes (or lack thereof) by now. The committee gave us our first look at how those resumes would translate into seeds.

2025 Bracket Preview: Official Rankings

1-Seeds

Auburn (South)
Alabama (Midwest)
Duke (East)
Florida (West)

2-Seeds

Tennessee (East)
Texas A&M (South)
Purdue (Midwest)
Houston (West)

3-Seeds

Iowa State (Midwest)
Kentucky (West)
Wisconsin (South)
Arizona (East)

4-Seeds

Texas Tech (South)
Michigan (West)
Kansas (Midwest)
St. John’s (East)

2025 Bracket Preview Reactions

SEC With Three

The SEC is on track to get three number-one seeds in the 2025 NCAA Tournament next month. This is, of course, subject to change. Holding onto a 1-seed is tough business, so all four of those teams must play at a high level for the next month, including through conference tournaments.

Tennessee was the clear next-in-line to a 1-seed, but for my money, I would have put them on that top line. Florida has the better win percentage, including the win over Auburn, but Tennessee has eight Quadrant 1 wins to Florida’s five, and Tennessee has more Quadrant 1 games in general, 13 to 8. The difference between Florida and Tennessee is probably very minimal. You can see the argument for Florida, and it has to do with the Auburn win as the cherry on top of a strong season.

Duke being the third 1-seed is a bit of a surprise, despite what the top 25 rankings say. The quality of the ACC is hurting the Blue Devils, whereas the SEC as a whole is lifting Auburn, Alabama, and Florida, not to mention the other SEC teams in the top 16.

Lines 2 to 4

Five out of the top six teams in the field are in the SEC. That should tell you everything you need to know about how the committee values the conference this year. Purdue and Houston grabbing the remaining 2-seeds is not a shock.

Iowa State slipping down to a three is unfortunate news for them, as a week or two ago, they could have been primed for a one.

There are no great surprises beyond that line, with St. John’s coming in as a 4-seed perhaps being the most notable. We had them on the 6-line last week, so it’s not way out of whack, but it’s interesting to see how well respected they are. They are the only Big East team this high.

Kansas is maybe a touch low for us, but the lack of road wins relative to the other contenders may have something to do with that. The Big 12 has five teams on this list, so they can’t complain too much.

Any 2025 Bracket Preview Snubs?

Not on our end. We had Illinois as a 4-seed in our latest update, but I am not pressed at the fact that they did not get up there. Had they put a team like Gonzaga in there, I might have taken an issue because their resume is a fair amount weaker, but my guess is with the seven Quadrant 1 wins, Illinois is probably on the 5-line or somewhere around it.