As the weather warms up and March Madness rolls on, college basketball fans are ready for the chaos that always comes with the NCAA Tournament. What started in 1939 with just 16 teams has now expanded to 64, all competing for the coveted national championship. Fans and experts are buzzing about the potential for both underdogs and favorites to make a run.
Luke Massary, who follows college basketball closely, is predicting big things for the Florida Gators. “They have Walter Clayton Jr. and have been dominant in the SEC this year,” Massary said. With a 27.5% chance to make it to the Final Four, Florida looks to be a strong contender.
But not everyone is picking the usual powerhouses. Junior Quinn Anderson has his eyes on Auburn, and for good reason. “I’m locking in Auburn for my bracket this year because their offense is insane,” Anderson said. “They’ve been lighting it up all season, and I think they’ve got what it takes to make a deep run in March Madness.”
Xavier University is another team drawing attention, even though their path to March Madness is uncertain. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, they need to secure 21 wins during the regular season just to have a chance at making the tournament. Brody McConnell, who doesn’t watch college basketball often, hopes the Musketeers can pull off a Cinderella run. “I want them to sneak in and go on a Cinderella run and win March Madness,” McConnell said. While it’s a long shot, the tournament’s unpredictability means anything can happen.
Some students are picking teams that have already made waves. Senior Brennan Albainy is backing the St. John’s Red Storm. “St. John’s plays as a team, they have all that it takes to win March Madness,” Albainy said. St. John’s recently won their first Big East title in over 40 years, and their team is ranked 6th nationally. However, with just an 8% chance to make the Final Four, their path to a championship is still a long one.
While the men’s tournament is getting most of the attention, players like Juju Watkins on the women’s side are creating buzz. “Well, I’m a big Juju Watkins fan. That girl is as tough as a nail!” senior Sofie Piro said. “I totally think she can hang with the boys on the court like Caitlin Clark before she went to the WNBA. She’s got a bright future after the Trojans.”
As March Madness progresses, many students get involved by filling out brackets, a fun and competitive way to predict the winners of each game. With each round, the excitement builds as predictions are tested, and some students love the thrill of watching their picks unfold.
“I love the excitement of trying to make a perfect one and watching my bracket predictions play out against my friends’ picks throughout March Madness,” said junior Colton Crossly. “It’s always fun to see how the upsets unfold and who’s going to come out on top. The competition makes it so much more intense and interactive. This year, I’m putting St. John’s in the top spot to take all. Coach Pitino is the best!”
Junior Brody Moore is putting Alabama in the top spot. “I’m all in on Alabama this year and always. Last year, we made it to the final four for the first time, and we’re locked in to do it again! My dad went there for college, and my sister goes there now, so it’s a family thing. We’re definitly looking for that Crimson Tide to keep on rolling!”
March Madness is always full of surprises no matter which team you’re rooting for. According to College Insider, “Every team in the NCAA March Madness feels like they have a chance to go very far into the competition. And the recent history suggests that their hopes are not unrealistic.”
