Insider Secrets Revealed: Theo Robertson Unveils His Top Picks for the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Have you ever pondered what it takes to thrive in the high stakes game of March Madness? It’s not just aboutthe excitement, the upsets, or even the gameplay; it’s about the sheer mental and physical fortitude that the NCAA Tournament demands. How do you find the grit within to not just survive, but to excel in this pressure cooker of basketball?

That question has always fascinated me, and now, my own personal connection to the game shines a light on why I’m so energized to dive into the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament; a platform where legends are made and dreams are either realized or shattered. I’ve got Theo Robertson, a standout player with ample experience as a coach at the collegiate and NBA level, chomping at the bit to share his insights. Having played in the NCAA Tournament myself, I know firsthand the unparalleled intensity and razor-thin margins you play with. Remember, your next game isn’t a given here. Every ounce of effort counts as you’re stepping on to the court knowing that 40 minutes, a mere sliver in the grand scheme of life, can make all the difference.

Now, here’s your chance to prove yourself. You’ve got the opportunity to distinguish your bracket from the rest. Intrigued? Then join the Opta Analyst Predictor Bracket, where your predictions, especially those upsets, can truly make a name for you.

With Theo’s predictions for the 2025 tournament, we’re not just looking at who will win; we’re exploring which teams have the potential to really make a deep run, leaving an indelible mark on college basketball history. So buckle up, sports fans, as we venture through regions, analyzing the favorites and the dark horses, the young guns and the seasoned squads. Are you ready to see the madness unfold? LEARN MORE.

Former Cal standout/assistant coach and NBA assistant coach Theo Robertson breaks down the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament and shares which teams are poised for a deep run.

The best thing about the NCAA Tournament isnât just the matchups or the upsets â itâs the competition and the pressure.

March has a way of revealing exactly who you are. Whatever you have inside of you â your confidence, doubts, toughness, even weaknesses â the tournament will bring it all to the surface.

Itâs an unforgiving stage that rewards those who embrace the moment and exposes those who hesitate.

You either rise to the challenge, or you watch someone elseâs shining moment.

I felt that firsthand when I played in the NCAA Tournament with the Cal Golden Bears. The intensity is different. The margin for error is razor thin.

I remember stepping on the floor knowing everything weâd worked for came down to 40 minutes. Thereâs no next game guaranteed, no time to ease into the moment â you either compete at your highest level, or you go home.

Thatâs what makes this time of year so special. Every game is a proving ground. Some players will make a name for themselves overnight, their legacies forever tied to one shot, one run, one performance under the brightest lights. Itâs not just about talent â itâs about whoâs built for the madness.

And hereâs your chance to show your mettle. If you want to try something a little different with your bracket this year, join the Opta Analyst Predictor Bracket, where your nailing of upset picks is rewarded particularly.

Under the rules, our supercomputer runs simulations of the 2025 NCAA Tournament to determine how likely it is that a particular team will reach a particular round. Weâre doing this for the menâs and womenâs tournaments. If you pick a team that has a 70% chance of advancing past the first round and that team wins, youâll receive 30 points (100% minus the percentage chance your selection will advance). If it has a 45% chance of advancing past the second round to the Sweet 16 and again advances, youâll get 55 points. If it has a 20% chance of reaching the Elite Eight and you get that pick right, youâll get 80 points.

Following are my contest submissions. Weâre all going to see the bracket differently.

East Region

Duke is the headliner, No. 1 in Opta Analyst’s TRACR rankings entering the tournament and with a favorable path to the Final Four.

Mississippi State over Baylor is a classic toss-up, but the Bulldogsâ toughness will help them earn their first NCAA Tournament win since 2008â¦ with their prize being a shot at the Blue Devils in the second round.

The biggest question mark in the region is Alabama. With Grant Nelson injured in the SEC tournament, will the Crimson Tide be healthy enough to make a deep run?

In the end, Duke has the talent to come out of the East. The Blue Devils have one of the younger teams in the 68-team field, and theyâll need to be special to cut down the nets in San Antonio.

First Round (With Predictor Bracket Examples)

No. 1 Duke over No. 16 American (Duke has a 96% win probability, so a correct pick would be worth 4 points)
No. 8 Mississippi State over No. 9 Baylor
No. 5 Oregon over No. 12 Liberty
No. 4 Arizona over No. 13 Akron
No. 6 BYU over No. 11 VCU
No. 3 Wisconsin over No. 14 Montana
No. 10 Vanderbilt over No. 7 Saint Maryâs (Vandy has a 43% win probability, so a correct pick would be worth 57 points)
No. 2 Alabama over No. 15 Robert Morris

Second Round

No. 1 Duke over No. 8 Mississippi State
No. 4 Arizona over No. 5 Oregon
No. 3 Wisconsin over No. 6 BYU
No. 2 Alabama over No. 10 Vanderbilt

Sweet 16

No. 1 Duke over No. 4 Arizona
No. 2 Alabama over No. 3 Wisconsin

Elite Eight

No. 1 Duke over No. 2 Alabama

West Region

The wild, wild West Region has âbracket busterâ written all over it.

A first-round exit for two-time defending champion UConn? That wouldnât be shocking. Jeremiah Fears and Oklahoma will test the Huskiesâ ability to guard at the point of attack.

Texas Tech plays the kind of gritty, defensive-minded basketball that can lead to a deep run.

The biggest question mark in the region is St Johnâs. When coach Rick Pitinoâs team is clicking, it can beat anyone. But consistency has been an issue.

Ultimately, Florida is the SEC tournament champion and a No. 1 seed for a reason. The Gatorsâ combination of size, experience and depth makes them the safest pick to win the West.

First Round

No. 1 Florida over No. 16 Norfolk State
No. 9 Oklahoma over No. 8 UConn (Oklahoma has a 45% win probability, so a correct pick would be worth 55 points)
No. 12 Colorado State over No. 5 Memphis
No. 4 Maryland over No. 13 Grand Canyon
No. 11 Drake over No. 6 Missouri
No. 3 Texas Tech over No. 14 UNC Wilmington
No. 7 Kansas over No. 10 Arkansas (Kansas has a 58% win probability, so a correct pick would be worth 42 points)
No. 2 St. Johnâs over No. 15 Omaha

Second Round

No. 1 Florida over No. 9 Oklahoma
No. 4 Maryland over No. 12 Colorado State
No. 3 Texas Tech over No. 11 Drake
No. 2 St. Johnâs over No. 7 Kansas

Sweet 16

No. 1 Florida over No. 4 Maryland
No. 3 Texas Tech over No. 2 St. Johnâs

Elite Eight

No. 1 Florida over No. 3 Texas Tech

South Region

This region is stacked with teams capable of making a run.

Michigan has the talent to shake things up, while Iowa State is a dark horse that has the defensive toughness to make a push.

Auburn might be the No. 1 seed, but the Tigers are limping into the Big Dance â going 1-3 in their last four games after a 27-2 start. Bruce Pearlâs squad is certainly talented enough to be the last team standing, but they have to get right in a hurry.

In the end, Michigan State has the coaching, experience and tournament toughness to grind through this region. If the Spartans hope to reach the Final Four, theyâll need Jase Richardson to play as well as his dad (Jason) did for the 2000 national title team.

First Round

No. 1 Auburn over No. 16 Alabama State
No. 8 Louisville over No. 9 Creighton
No. 5 Michigan over No. 12 UC San Diego
No. 4 Texas A&M over No. 13 Yale (Texas A&M has a 70% win probability, so a correct pick would be worth 30 points)
No. 6 Ole Miss over No. 11 North Carolina
No. 3 Iowa State over No. 14 Lipscomb
No. 7 Marquette over No. 10 New Mexico
No. 2 Michigan State over No. 15 Bryant

Second Round

No. 1 Auburn over No. 8 Louisville
No. 5 Michigan over No. 4 Texas A&M
No. 3 Iowa State over No. 6 Ole Miss
No. 2 Michigan State over No. 7 Marquette

Sweet 16

No. 1 Auburn over No. 5 Michigan
No. 2 Michigan State over No. 3 Iowa State

Elite Eight

No. 2 Michigan State over No. 1 Auburn

Midwest Region

The Midwest has great potential for chaos.

Texas over Illinois is a strong upset pick, with the Longhornsâ athleticism creating matchup problems.

Kentucky is a high-variance team: If the Wildcats get hot from 3, theyâre a threat to make a deep run, especially with the return of Lamont Butler.

Houston sits atop the region and is built to grind out wins, but it just might be Tennesseeâs time. Rick Barnes has the Vols playing elite defense and theyâre confident they can go blow for blow with anybody.

First Round

No. 1 Houston over No. 16 SIU-Edwardsville
No. 8 Gonzaga over No. 9 Georgia
No. 5 Clemson over No. 12 McNeese State
No. 4 Purdue over No. 13 High Point
No. 11 Texas/Xavier over No. 6 Illinois (the play-in game winner has a 39% win probability, so a correct pick would be worth 61 points)
No. 3 Kentucky over No. 14 Troy
No. 7 UCLA over No. 10 Utah State
No. 2 Tennessee over No. 15 Wofford