Though it feels like the semester started yesterday, March has arrived, bringing with it erratic weather, grueling midterms, and madness. The NCAA Division I single-elimination basketball tournament, or March Madness, pits 68 college teams across the country against each other. Held annually for the past 86 years, March Madness hosts teams of different skill levels as they play with raw passion and talent. Whether you’re filling out your bracket, (legally) betting, or are a basketball lover, March Madness offers the perfect excuse not to do your homework.
With 352 D-I teams in the NCAA, it may be hard to truly know which team to look out for. Here at the Independent, we have created a brief introduction to some of the key contenders and underdogs to keep track of. Of course, anything can happen (hence Madness), so if a supposed contender gets upset in the first round, do not be too surprised.
MEN’S CONTENDERS
Historically, the triumvirate of college programs consists of Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Kentucky. However, times have changed, and some new challengers have planted themselves at the top of the rankings.
Duke University (+340): With a record of 28-3, the Blue Devils secured the first seed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Despite the retirement of the legendary Coach K, Duke remains a premier program threatening to make another deep run. Freshman Cooper Flagg leads the team in all major statistics except blocks, with an astounding 19 points per game on nearly 50 percent from the field. One of the few blemishes on Duke’s season is a 71-77 loss to Clemson—the conference opponents held Flagg to 35 percent shooting to give the Blue Devils their only conference loss. Regardless, Duke hopes to exceed their Elite 8 finish from last year.
Auburn University (+380): The Tigers (yes, there are two) are currently ranked No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with a record of 27-4. Despite losses against Duke and the University of Florida, the team has proved to be a formidable opponent, putting up the fourth-highest points per game with 85.4 this season. Following a loss to Auburn, Vanderbilt Head Coach Mark Byington claimed the Tigers “didn’t have any weaknesses.” Auburn boasts a 10-4 record against other Associated Press-ranked teams. This Tigers’ line-up is led by senior Johni Broome and is filled with players who lost to Yale in the first round last year. Time will tell whether Auburn can claim the NCAA tournament title or if its 14th appearance will come to an early, disappointing end.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (+1600): While falling fourth in the SEC ranking, the Volunteers still rank with an NCAA fourth-best Basketball Power Index. Having lost to Purdue in the Elite 8 last year, Tennessee has made up for the loss of Dalton Knecht, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024. While the Vols are sure to obtain a top seeding, their offensive consistency is questionable. Tennessee has breezed past non-conference opponents, but its conference record leaves much to be desired; this includes a 30-point loss to the Florida Gators. Despite Tennessee winning the rematch, many still doubt the Vols’ ability to make a deep run.
WOMEN’S CONTENDERS
Though much emphasis is placed on the triumphs and defeats in men’s basketball, the women’s side hosts many of the best collegiate athletes. With Caitlin Clark’s dominance in Iowa and continued success for the Fever, women’s basketball has seen unprecedented engagement in the last year.
University of Texas at Austin (+600): UT Austin has dominated this season with a D-I-best record of 29-2. Topping both the AP and Coaches polls, the Longhorns are second in point differential, averaging +25 points. Led by sophomore forward and SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker, Texas was awarded the second seed after a coin toss which gave the top seed to the University of South Carolina; the two are 1-1 this season. Having been bounced in the Elite Eight in 2024, Texas still needs to prove whether they can make it to their first NCAA championship since 1986.
University of South Carolina (+290): With a record of 27-3, the Gamecocks seek to win the championship again. Despite losing many players from last year to the WNBA draft, South Carolina has remained a dominant force in the SEC. However, South Carolina is ranked fifth on both the AP and Coaches polls, a far cry from their consistent dominance last year. South Carolina has three players averaging double-digit points, yet leading-scorer Joyce Edwards ranks 351st in points per game. With losses this season by 15 points and another by 29, questions surround the Gamecocks’ ability to defend strong post players. It will be interesting to see if coach Dawn Staley can guide her team to become the first repeat champions since UConn’s historic four-year reign from 2013 to 2016.
University of Connecticut (+310): Speaking of UConn, the Huskies, led by Paige Bueckers, finished first in the Big East. Last year, UConn advanced to the Final Four before being defeated by Caitlin Clark’s Iowa. A legendary program with the most national championships (11), UConn was defeated the last time they made it to the championship in 2022 in a low-scoring loss to the Gamecocks. For each of its three losses this season, the Huskies have kept things close, as they were tied with a little over two minutes left against USC and Tennessee. All eyes will be on Bueckers, who has reemphasized her intention to enter the draft.
THE WILDCARDS
The tournament style enables any team to have their Cinderella story. In 2022, the 15th-seed Saint Peter’s Peacocks advanced to the Final Four, defeating the seventh, second, and third seeds. Every year, major upsets shake up the tournament and disrupt many brackets. Although it’s too early to predict specific upsets, especially with the teams yet to be selected, many squads will be eager to eliminate a top contender’s championship hopes.
St. John’s University (Men +2200): Topping the Big East for the first time since 1985, the Red Storm have steadily climbed the national rankings this year. They matched up twice against reigning champions UConn and emerged victorious both times. Under the coaching of Rick Pitino, the Red Storm’s defense has been electric. Of their four losses, all were one-possession games. The Red Storm’s victories have also been quite decisive. They sit at 16th on point differential leaders with an average victory of +12.7 points. Questions remain about their ability to compete against top teams. With only one game against a top 20 team resulting in a 2-point win over Marquette, the Red Storm will be tested.
Texas Christian University (Women +7000): Though the Horned Frogs have not made the tournament since 2010, TCU is a shoo-in for a spot this year. Last January, the team had to forfeit two games due to a lack of healthy players. Now led by new transfer Haley Van Lith, TCU ranks first in the Big East with a 28-3 record. Key wins against the No. 8 and No. 17 seeds show that the Horned Frogs belong among the best. However, TCU was blown out by South Carolina in a 33-point loss. In this game, the Horned Frogs shot an ugly 33 percent from the field and accumulated 20 turnovers. Yet, TCU is a robust team with the potential to throw off predictions with their three-point shooting and bench depth.
These are only a few of the teams that you should pay close attention to. Naturally, anything can happen: the first seed might be upset by the sixteenth, or they might sweep the whole tournament. Selection Sunday begins this March 16. For men, games begin March 18, culminating in the championship game on April 7. For women, games start on March 19, with the championship scheduled for April 6.
Tyler Dang ’28 (tylerdang@college.harvard.edu) has UTK winning it all.