It seems just about everybody has unveiled a bracket for the 2025 NCAA Tournament which is set to begin on Thursday and with the anticipation and excitement through the roof as the first and second rounds are set to unfold over the next four days.
The latest predictions came from avid basketball fan and former President Barack Obama who is well-known for filling out his bracket every year and that was no different this time around. Obama predicts that the Final Four will consist of Auburn, Duke, Tennessee, and Florida.
In the national championship he has the Gators taking on the Blue Devils with Duke emerging from the crowd and being crowned champions. The rest of Obama’s bracket is filled with mostly safe picks, as he doesn’t predict any major upsets until the Sweet 16. At that point, he has the No. 5 seed Clemson Tigers knocking off the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars to reach the Elite Eight.
In the first round, Obama does have No. 11 VCU beating No. 6 BYU, though DraftKings Sportsbook currently has BYU as a 2 1/2-point favorite in that matchup. With both teams having contrasting playing styles, this game could go either way.
Duke is currently the heavy favorite to win it all, and for good reason—they have the projected National Player of the Year, Cooper Flagg.
However, his health will be a key storyline when they take the floor on Friday against Mount St. Mary’s. The expectation is that Flagg will suit up and play after missing the Blue Devils’ last two games in the ACC tournament with a sprained ankle.
Duke leads the pack as the betting favorite to win the national title, followed by Florida in second and Auburn in third. They are also the most picked team to win it all on ESPN’s Tournament Challenge, with over 25% of participants choosing them.
