Another thrilling NCAA Men’s March Madness tournament is in the books! As always, the event didn’t disappoint, delivering plenty of tight games, unforgettable storylines, and buzzer-beater finishes. For the first time since 2008, the Final Four featured all #1-seeded teams, with every tournament game decided by single-digit margins. Let’s remember the key moments and surprises that made March Madness 2025 one to remember. 

Early Round Upsets

Although this year’s tournament didn’t feature any Cinderella stories advancing past the Sweet Sixteen, there were still plenty of underdog victories in the early rounds. The most notable upsets of the first round featured two twelfth-seeded teams taking down fifth-seeded opponents. Despite the Clemson Tigers being favored by seven and a half points in their first-round matchup, the McNeese State Cowboys got off to a hot start, leading 31-13 at the half. Clemson put on a strong second-half effort, but McNeese held onto their lead late in a narrow 69-67 victory. It was a shocking loss for the Tigers, who had high hopes following their success in advancing to the Elite Eight in last year’s tournament. 

The second twelfth-seeded team to rise to the occasion in the first round was the Colorado State Rams, who eliminated the Memphis Tigers. Whether or not the Rams’ win was a true upset is up for debate, since, unlike McNeese, Colorado State was favored to win going into the game. Memphis entered the game shorthanded, missing several key players, but led 36-31 at the half. However, the Rams overcame the deficit in the second half, ultimately taking down Memphis 78-70. 

Two more underdog squads managed to take down highly ranked opponents in the tournament’s second round. Perhaps the closest thing we got to a Cinderella story this year was the tenth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks, who stunned second-ranked St. John’s. Arkansas started the tournament with a decisive 79-72 win over Kansas in the first round, but they truly hit their stride in their following matchup. The Razorbacks’ superior physicality and endurance prevailed in the 75-66 victory as the St. John’s Red Storm struggled to match their intensity.

Another highly ranked team that met their match in the second round was the third-ranked Wisconsin Badgers, who fell to the sixth-seeded BYU Cougars. BYU set the tone early, carrying a double-digit lead into the half. Wisconsin managed to cut the deficit just in time for some late-game drama, with a chance to tie or take the lead with 13 seconds remaining, but their final shot missed the mark and BYU snagged the rebound to secure their win. Although both teams got eliminated in the Sweet Sixteen, they made their mark in this year’s tournament, busting plenty of brackets. 

Top Performers

March Madness never fails to showcase all of the best talent in college basketball, and in this tournament, a couple of stars shone above the rest. Despite losing in the Final Four, Duke forward Cooper Flagg justified his case for being the most dominant player in the tournament. The projected number one overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft became the first player to lead his team in points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks in a Final Four game since 1986, when defensive stats became official. As a true freshman, Flagg joined rare company by becoming the fifth player this century to be named to the All-NCAA tournament team without even playing in the title game. 

Though Flagg’s playoff performance was undeniably impressive, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. also stood out on the biggest stage. Clayton was consistent throughout the season, but took his game to the next level when it mattered most. The Florida senior averaged 22.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds through his impressive March Madness run. Clayton scored 30 points in the Elite Eight and 34 against Auburn in the Final Four, solidifying himself as the first player to score 30 or more in a regional final and a national semifinal since Larry Bird did so 46 years ago. After Florida’s national title victory, Clayton was named the 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

The Road to the Title

As the best teams in college basketball fought their way through the tournament, only the four most dominant squads remained to compete for the championship. The four top-seeded teams, Duke, Florida, Houston, and Auburn, battled it out in the Final Four for a shot at winning the national title. When the Florida Gators and Auburn Tigers faced off, the two SEC powerhouses delivered a semifinal thriller. Auburn led by as much as nine in the first half, but Florida stormed back with a 13-3 run to start the second half and never looked back. Though the entirety of the game was tight and competitive, featuring 15 lead changes and 10 ties, Walter Clayton Jr.’s dominant 34-point performance made the difference in the Gators’ 79-73 victory. With the win, Florida advanced to its first national championship game since 2007.

The Duke Blue Devils and the Houston Cougars matched up to claim the next spot in the championship game. Duke, favored to win the tournament going in, appeared to be in control towards the end of the game, holding a 14-point lead with eight minutes left to play, but Houston stormed back with a relentless defensive effort. The Cougars held the Blue Devils to just one made field goal over the final 10 and a half minutes and closed the game on a 15-3 run. Despite Cooper Flagg’s 27 points, Duke couldn’t generate offense down the stretch, while Houston’s L.J. Cryer led the way with 26 points in a 70-67 victory. The win brought the Cougars to their first national championship game since 1984.

When the Florida Gators and Houston Cougars matched up in the title game, both teams delivered in a hard-fought defensive battle. Houston led by as many as 12 in the second half, but Florida clawed back late, taking its first lead with just 46 seconds remaining. Houston’s stout defense held Walter Clayton Jr. scoreless in the first half. Still, the senior guard came up big on the final possession, disrupting a potential game-winning 3-point attempt from the Cougars and sealing Florida’s 65-63 victory. The win marks the Gators’ third national title in the program’s history.

Florida’s close victory wraps up another successful March Madness Tournament. Through the early round surprises, breakout stars, and dramatic finishes late in the playoffs, the 2025 edition proved why it’s one of the greatest spectacles in sports.