Reid Packard
New York City, USA
March Madness 2025 is almost here, promising more excitement than ever. For those who are new to the college basketball scene, here is what you need to know: March Madness is the annual end-of-season NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. It is a single-elimination bracket featuring the nation's top 68 men’s college basketball teams, all competing for the national championship. This tournament is not just about basketball: it is a spectacle of upsets, buzzer beaters, and Cinderella stories.
March Madness, in the past few decades, has grown into a gigantic phenomenon with almost 10 million viewers tuning into the last tournament. However, one of the most talked about changes in college basketball, and college sports in general, is the impact of NIL—which stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. In the past, collegiate players were not allowed to profit from their personal brands through endorsement deals, and social media presences. Since the summer of 2021 when Name, Image and Likeness policies first went into effect, college athletes can profit from their brands and even get paid by their schools to play for them. This shift has disrupted the traditional landscape of college sports by allowing players to earn money while still in school, changing recruiting drastically, making transfers more common, and forcing coaches to adopt new strategies.
Many athletes are benefiting from these new policies though, with many making tens of thousands of dollars per season. For example, Cooper Flagg, who is a freshman guard for Duke, has the largest NIL valuation in college basketball. At just 18, he is currently worth 4.8 million dollars, averaging 19.4 points per game with a 49% field goal percentage. Due to his net worth and field goal percentage he has been compared to some of the greatest basketball prodigies in history. His ability to score, rebound, and create plays makes him a popular player and will make him a prominent player in March Madness. While many people worry that NIL deals will erode the spirit of college basketball competition, even more argue that these opportunities for players like Cooper Flagg to benefit monetarily are only fair after all of the hard work and dedication they have put in to get to the Division I level.
Looking towards this year's tournament, March Madness 2025 kicks off on Selection Sunday: on March 16th the final 68 team bracket will be revealed. Many teams are already expecting to be in the tournament but there are many ‘Bubble Teams’— which are teams that are close to making it — who are still uncertain and their selection will depend on how well they finish their season. The tournament itself will begin on March 18th with the first four teams playing each other. The tournament will culminate in the NCAA National Championship Game on April 7th. This game will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The top teams from each region, as projected by CBS Sports, are Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and Duke. All of these teams are expected to make great runs and will likely be in contention for the championship. Duke, as previously mentioned, has freshman Cooper Flagg as their star player leading the team and he will be a great asset for the Blue Devils. Auburn and Alabama on the other hand, are known for their balanced rosters with great defensive capabilities.
This year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions of March Madness yet, with every game promising unpredictable moments, dramatic upsets, and emerging hoopers. Whether you are rooting for a powerhouse or an underdog, the energy and excitement on display will ensure an unforgettable spectacle for fans everywhere.
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