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2025 NCAA Tournament bracket picks for Final Four: Predicting a national champion

James Fletcher IIIby:James Fletcher III•04/04/25•

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(© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)

The NCAA Tournament took a chalky path to the Final Four, with all 1-seeds making in through the region to face off in San Antonio this weekend. Despite the lack of Cinderella stories, it has set up must-watch matchups on both sides of the bracket.

After separating themselves from the pack in college basketball, Auburn, Duke, Florida and Houston now reach the pinnacle the sport. In a rare turn, the Final Four field consists of the top teams throughout the season.

After correctly picking 42/52 winners (81%) in the first weekend, and 10/12 (83%) in the second weekend, here are my best projections for the Final Four before crowning a national champion.

Final Four

South vs. West

1 Auburn vs. 1 Florida

Auburn has held the best resume in college basketball for most of the season, and after a slight skid picked back up just in time for the NCAA Tournament. One of the few teams all season to pull off an upset was Florida, who did it on the road. This game will likely come down to which stars shine brightest on the night, and the Gators just have more options to hit big.

East vs. Midwest

1 Duke vs. 1 Houston

Duke has proven itself throughout the NCAA Tournament so far as the type of dominant team which can face a stout defense and still have their way. That will be put to the ultimate test against Houston, who will try to drag the pace and score down in order to keep pace. In the end, the presence of Cooper Flagg and more top-level supporting cast give Duke the edge here to advance.

National Championship

Champion

1 Florida vs. 1 Duke

Florida represents the SEC in a historic season, ready to fill the final puzzle piece in their quest for greatness by crowning a national champion. Duke, is playing for a new era which could see Jon Scheyer return the Blue Devils to the top of the sport and cement Cooper Flagg’s college legacy. While both teams show depth across the board and plenty to like on both ends, the edge just goes to Florida with its experience in the biggest moments already built up.